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Asbestos lung disease is caused by exposure to asbestos and can lead to asbestosis, asbestos pleural disease, and asbestos lung cancer. Symptoms include shortness of breath and chest pain. Diagnosis is made through chest x-rays and CT scans, and treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Many employees have filed asbestos lawsuits against their previous employers for exposing them to asbestos.
Asbestos lung disease is a condition that develops in one or both lungs as a result of exposure to asbestos. A naturally occurring compound, asbestos is often used in many building and automotive materials for insulation purposes. There are three lung diseases commonly caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. These are asbestosis, asbestos pleural disease and asbestos lung cancer.
Asbestosis is an asbestos lung disease characterized by scarring in the lungs. Asbestos fibers are usually fine and tiny and gain easy access inside the lungs when inhaled. Once inside the lungs, the body interprets the fibers as foreign material and sends inflammatory cells to the area to fight their presence. Inflammation then follows, eventually leading to scarring of the lung tissues. The scarred parts of the lungs are usually unable to exchange gases and function properly.
In asbestos pleural disease, asbestos fibers usually affect the pleura or the membrane lining the lungs. The presence of asbestos fibers in the lining of the lungs can cause scarring of the area. It can also lead to fluid buildup, known as a pleural effusion, in the pleural cavity. Some patients may experience no symptoms, while others may manifest with pain in the lungs and shortness of breath.
Malignant mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer usually develops when asbestos fibers also become deposited in the membrane lining the lungs. However, the presence of asbestos fibers causes the growth of a malignant tumor which can spread to other organs in the body. It is a debilitating disease that is often diagnosed late, as its symptoms often mimic other lung disorders. Symptoms include chest pain, weight loss, persistent cough and shortness of breath.
In 1970, mesothelioma was regulated by the Clean Air Act in the United States. Prior to this year, employees such as miners, aircraft mechanics and shipyard workers lacked workplace safety measures to protect them from inhaling asbestos. This puts them at a higher risk of developing asbestos lung disease. The onset of asbestos lung disease often appears between 20 and 40 years after exposure. Many employees with mesothelioma have filed asbestos lawsuits against their previous employers for having exposed them to asbestos in the workplace.
Asbestos lung diseases, such as mesothelioma, are often managed by a pulmonologist, a lung specialist, and an oncologist, a cancer specialist. Diagnosis is often made with the aid of chest x-rays and computed tomography (CT) of the chest. A biopsy, which is a procedure that involves removing tissue samples in the body, is often performed and sent to the laboratory for analysis to determine the definitive cause of the disease process. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
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