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1. Home / Asbestos / Asbestos-Related Diseases
Asbestos Diseases
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2. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that can cause a variety of health problems for those who have been exposed to it. Generally,
asbestos-related diseases can take up to 60 years to develop, which means workers who were exposed decades ago may just
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now be experiencing symptoms.
Asbestos companies can and should be held accountable for the harm they have
caused everyday people who were never warned of the dangers of asbestos. If you
have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, contact us
today to discuss what compensation may be available to you. Check out our FAQ’s for
more details.
Identifying Asbestos-Related Diseases
Worldwide, about 125 million people work in environments that put
them at risk for asbestos exposure. Asbestos-related disease statistics show that more than 90,000 people
die each year when exposure to this dangerous material results in mesothelioma, lung cancer, or
asbestosis.
The National Cancer Institute reports that millions of American workers have been exposed since the 1940s. Although the U.S.
government has taken steps to protect workers, the asbestos companies have fought off a complete ban on their deadly
products. So even today, workers continue to be exposed.
Because asbestos diseases take decades to develop, many people who were exposed years ago are just now being diagnosed
with asbestos cancers and other illnesses. These diseases are generally caused by microscopic asbestos fibers that were inhaled
or ingested in the past and got stuck in the body, irritating the tissue for many years before symptoms surfaced.
If you are experiencing any health problems that you suspect may be tied to past asbestos exposure, you need to discuss your
work history or service history with your doctor. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease,
you should also learn about your legal right to compensation.
Malignant Cancers
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4. Asbestos is the only known cause of malignant mesothelioma, and it has been shown to cause lung cancer. Studies have also
connected asbestos exposure to ovarian and laryngeal cancer. Further studies are being done to determine whether asbestos
exposure can lead to gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers, throat cancers, kidney cancers, esophageal cancer, and gallbladder
cancer.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks the mesothelium tissue lining of the chest cavity, lungs, abdominal cavity, and many other
organs in the body.
There are four types:
Pleural mesothelioma (affecting the tissue surrounding the lungs)
Peritoneal mesothelioma (affecting the tissue in the abdominal cavity)
Pericardial mesothelioma (affecting the tissue surrounding the heart)
Testicular mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can develop 15 to 60 years after a person was initially exposed to asbestos.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, painful cough, pain in the chest or abdomen, fluid build-up in the chest
or abdomen, lumps under the skin on the chest or in the abdomen, loss of appetite or weight loss, difficulty swallowing, fatigue,
and fever.
Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, clinical trials, and holistic therapies. There is no cure yet for
malignant mesothelioma, but your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that best meets your needs.
Legal help is available for those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Asbestos is the only known cause of this type of
cancer. So asbestos companies that failed to warn workers of the dangers of their products can be held responsible for the harm
they have caused. Contact us to discuss your options for compensation.
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5. Lung Cancer
Lung cancer, sometimes called bronchogenic carcinoma, can be caused when asbestos fibers are inhaled and lodge in the lung
itself, rather than in the tissue lining the lung. Asbestos can cause both small-cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer. Non-
small-cell lung cancer accounts for the majority of cases and includes squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large-cell
carcinoma.
Symptoms of asbestos lung cancer include shortness of breath or wheezing, chronic cough, coughing up blood, hoarseness,
difficulty swallowing, chest pain, swelling in the neck or face, loss of appetite or weight loss, and fatigue.
Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted drug therapy, and clinical trials.
Legal help is available for people who are coping with an asbestos lung cancer diagnosis. To learn more about your options for
pursuing compensation, contact us today.
Ovarian Cancer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2009 confirmed that occupational exposure to asbestos can cause
ovarian cancer. Although studies on asbestos ovarian cancer are limited, researchers suspect that inhaled asbestos fibers may
move through the abdominal cavity to penetrate the ovaries.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary
problems such as increased frequency or the urgency to go.
Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of
options.
Legal help is available for women who were exposed to asbestos and developed cancer as a result. To discuss your options for
pursing compensation for your illness, contact us now.
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6. Laryngeal Cancer
Although smoking and heavy alcohol consumption are the most common causes of laryngeal cancer, asbestos exposure has also
been associated with this type of cancer. Researchers have noted that the larynx, also known as the voice box, can be affected
when asbestos fibers are inhaled. The fibers can accumulate in the larynx, causing chronic inflammation, disruption of airflow, and
in some cases cancer.
Symptoms of laryngeal cancer include hoarseness, change in voice, chronic sore throat or cough, pain or trouble when
swallowing, ear pain, trouble breathing, weight loss, and a lump or mass in the neck.
Treatment options include radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and clinical trials involving chemoprevention and
radiosensitizers.
Legal help is available for people who have been diagnosed with cancer that was caused by asbestos. Contact us now to learn
what types of compensation you may be entitled to.
Non-Cancerous Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause many diseases and serious health conditions beyond cancer. Symptoms of these asbestos-
related diseases can range from mild to severe, and many people do not begin to experience problems until decades after their
initial exposure. It is important to consult with your doctor at the first sign of any asbestos-related disease.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by asbestos fibers that stick in the alveoli, or small sacs in the lungs. Asbestosis is not
a cancer, but it can have an extremely serious impact on a person’s ability to breath and quality of life. Asbestosis also increases a
patient’s risk for developing asbestos lung cancer.
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7. Asbestosis symptoms include shortness of breath, tightness or pain in the chest, chronic cough, loss of appetite, weight loss,
and clubbed fingers and toes.
Treatment options include quitting smoking, oxygen tubes or mask, pulmonary rehabilitation exercises, a lung transplant, and
hospitalization.
Legal help is available for people who have been diagnosed with asbestosis. Call or fill out our online form for more information on
your compensation options.
Pleural Effusion
Pleural effusion, also referred to as a pulmonary effusion or water on the lungs, occurs when fluid builds up in the pleural space
between the lungs and the chest cavity. A doctor can diagnose pleural effusion through a chest X-ray or CT scan, and a
thoracentesis may be conducted to remove a sample of the fluid and test it.
Pleural effusion symptoms include chest pain, difficult or painful breathing, and coughing.
Treatment options include draining the pleural fluid, which may involve leaving a tube in the chest for continual drainage. Some
pleural effusions may also require surgery or pleurodesis, which entails sealing the pleural space so fluid cannot continue to build
up.
Pleural Plaques
Pleural plaques are the most common condition associated with asbestos. They are described as “smooth, white, raised, irregular
lesions” on the pleura, or the tissue lining the lungs and the chest cavity. Although asbestos-related pleural plaques do not cause
mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, they do indicate that a person is at risk for developing these diseases.
Pleural plaque symptoms are rare, although many patients experience anxiety when they are first diagnosed. However, most
people do not even realize they have these lesions. For people who are experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing,
coughing, or chest pain, notify a doctor immediately as these may be signs of a more serious asbestos-related disease.
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8. Treatment options include quitting smoking and vigilant monitoring for other signs of asbestos-related diseases.
Pleurisy
Pleurisy, also known as pleuritis, occurs when the two layers of pleura tissue lining the outside of the lungs and the inside of the
chest wall get inflamed. This tissue is normally smooth, allowing the lungs to expand and contract easily. When the tissue is
inflamed by asbestos fibers, the two layers rub up against each other painfully any time a person takes a breath.
Pleurisy symptoms include sharp chest pain (which is worsened by breathing), shortness of breath, cough, and fever. Some
people also experience pain in their shoulders or back.
Treatment options primarily focus on pain control and identifying the underlying cause of the condition, such as other asbestos-
related diseases. Your doctor may perform blood tests, X-rays, a CT scan, an ultrasound, an electrocardiogram, and other
diagnostic procedures to identify the cause of pleurisy.
Diffuse Pleural Thickening
Asbestos-related diffuse pleural thickening, also known as DPT, occurs when asbestos fibers lodge in the pleura lining the lungs
and cause scarring that eventually thickens the tissue and interferes with breathing. Your doctor may use chest X-rays, CT scans,
and PET scans when making a DPT diagnosis. He or she may also want to do a biopsy to rule out mesothelioma.
Diffuse pleural thickening symptoms include chronic chest pain and shortness of breath (dyspnea) on exertion. In rare cases, it
can cause respiratory failure.
Treatment options are aimed at relieving the symptoms of DPT. Patients should stay active and quit smoking. Pulmonary
rehabilitation (PR) may also be recommended. In rare cases, surgery may be done to remove the thickened pleura.
Rounded Atelactasis
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9. Rounded atelectasis is an unusual type of lung collapse that is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. It occurs when the lung
folds on itself near an area of pleural scarring or due to pleural effusion. Rounded atelectasis is also referred to as folded lung,
Blesovsky syndrome, and atelectatic pseudotumor.
Rounded atelectasis symptoms may include cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. However, most patients do not
experience any signs of the condition, and symptoms are often attributed to an underlying disease such as asbestosis.
Treatment options for rounded atelectasis focus on the underlying condition. There is no treatment for rounded
atelectasis itself.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as COPD, is a chronic lung disease often associated with smoking. It
includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. However, occupational exposure to dangerous materials such as asbestos can also
cause COPD.
COPD symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic cough, wheezing, excess mucus, respiratory infections, fatigue, and a blue
color in the lips or fingernails (known as cyanosis).
Treatment options include COPD medications, pulmonary rehabilitation, supplemental oxygen, lung surgery, clinical trials, and
holistic practices such as yoga and acupuncture.
Pleural Fibrosis
Pleural fibrosis occurs when the pleura tissue lining the lung becomes scarred due to inhaled asbestos fibers. In severe cases, the
thickened tissue can be so extensive that it causes a trapped lung.
Pleural fibrosis symptoms may include breathlessness or chest pain. However, some people may not experience any
symptoms. Patients with pleural fibrosis may be diagnosed with other asbestos-related diseases, as well.
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10. Treatment may include decortication, in which the scarred pleura tissue is surgically removed, allowing the patient to breathe
easier.
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis occurs when the lung tissue is damaged or scarred, as can happen when asbestos fibers are inhaled and lodge
in the lungs. This scarring, which makes the lung tissue thick and stiff, causes difficulty breathing and can lead to serious
complications such as pulmonary hypertension, right-sided heart failure, respiratory failure, and other lung problems. Pulmonary
fibrosis also increases a person’s risk for lung cancer.
Pulmonary fibrosis symptoms can be moderate and worsen slowly over time, or they can progress quickly, depending on the
person. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, weight loss, aching muscles and joints, and clubbing of the fingers
or toes.
Treatment options may include medications to slow the progression of the disease, oxygen therapy to help with breathing, and
pulmonary rehabilitation to help manage symptoms. For some people, a lung transplant may be an option.
Deaths Due to Asbestos Related Diseases in USA
In every region of the country, people from all walks of life are susceptible to developing mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos.
The graphic below highlights areas where asbestos exposure was prevalent.
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11. Rank State Asbestosis Mesothelioma Total Deaths
U.S. Total 19,758 23,965 to 40,411 43,073 to 59,519
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12. 1 California 2,088 2,276 to 3,795 4,273 to 5,792
2 Florida 1,095 1,976 to 3,432 3,025 to 4,481
3 New York 750 1,912 to 3,374 2,626 to 4,088
4 Pennsylvania 1,728 1,348 to 2,215 3,046 to 3,913
5 Texas 1,343 1,349 to 2,325 2,651 to 3,627
6 New Jersey 1,783 1,045 to 1,775 2,775 to 3,505
7 Illinois 422 1,291 to 2,201 1,697 to 2,607
8 Washington 970 806 to 1,387 1,730 to 2,311
9 Ohio 578 1,046 to 1,745 1,609 to 2,308
10 Virginia 790 599 to 972 1,362 to 1,735
11 Massachusetts 759 613 to 973 1,355 to 1,715
12 Michigan 329 823 to 1,377 1,140 to 1,694
13 North Carolina 503 534 to 917 1,027 to 1,410
14 Maryland 633 453 to 747 1,074 to 1,368
15 Oregon 430 431 to 721 838 to 1,128
16 Wisconsin 177 548 to 914 716 to 1,082
17 Tennessee 229 447 to 786 671 to 1,010
18 Minnesota 238 439 to 713 668 to 942
19 Alabama 507 248 to 410 741 to 903
20 Louisiana 357 340 to 540 680 to 880
Sources & Author:
1. American Cancer Society: Asbestos and Cancer Risk
2. American Cancer Society: Ovarian Cancer
3. American Family Physician: Asbestos-Related Lung Disease
4. American Lung Association: Asbestosis
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13. 5. American Lung Association: COPD
6. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research: Identification of Rounded Atelectasis in Workers Exposed to Asbestos by
Contrast Helical Computed Tomography
7. British Lung Foundation: Asbestos-Related Conditions
8. British Thoracic Society: Pleural Plaques
9. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention: Does Exposure to Asbestos Cause Ovarian Cancer? A Systematic Literature
Review and Meta-Analysis
10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Respiratory Diseases
11. Cleveland Clinic: Occupational Lung Disease
12. Clinical Pulmonary Medicine: Rounded Atelectasis
13. Environmental Health Perspectives: Occupational Exposure to Asbestos and Ovarian Cancer
14. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Asbestos: Laryngeal Cancer and Asbestos
15. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology: Clinical Consequences of Asbestos-Related Diffuse Pleural Thickening
16. Mayo Clinic: Asbestosis
17. Mayo Clinic: Lung Cancer
18. Mayo Clinic: Pleurisy
19. Mayo Clinic: Pulmonary Fibrosis
20. MedicineNet.com: Pleural Effusion (Fluid in the Chest or on the Lung)
21. National Cancer Institute: Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk
22. National Cancer Institute: Laryngeal Cancer Treatment
23. Polish Journal of Radiology: Rounded Atelectasis of the Lung
24. Respirology: Causes and Management of Pleural Fibrosis
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