Differences Between Mesothelioma and Asbestosis

Mesothelioma and asbestosis both result from breathing in asbestos fibers. The key difference is asbestosis isn’t cancer, while mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer. Asbestosis never turns into cancer but having it means you’ve been exposed to asbestos and have a higher risk for related cancers like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma grows in the lining around the body’s organs, most often in the lining of the lungs. This is called pleural mesothelioma. But it sometimes develops in the lining of the abdomen, heart or testes. Asbestosis is swelling and scarring, called pulmonary fibrosis, inside the lungs.

Asbestosis Pleural Mesothelioma
Primary cause Asbestos exposure Asbestos exposure
Latency period 20 to 30 years 20 to 60 years
Location Develops in the air sacs within the lungs (alveoli) Develops in the outer lining of the lungs (pleura)
Characteristics Scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue Small, widespread malignant tumors
Survival With treatment, people can live for decades with this chronic disease. The 5-year survival rate for this rare cancer is 12%.

Similarities of Mesothelioma and Asbestosis

Asbestosis and mesothelioma both result from asbestos exposure and share several important similarities. Both conditions develop slowly, often decades after a person first breathes in asbestos fibers.

People with either disease may not have symptoms for many years. Both diseases can cause similar symptoms, which sometimes makes it hard to tell them apart. It’s important to tell your doctor about any places where you may have come into contact with asbestos, even if you feel fine.

Key Similarities Between Asbestosis and Mesothelioma

  • Common symptoms: Both conditions can cause shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, chest pain and weight loss.
  • Delayed onset: Symptoms of asbestosis and mesothelioma often take more than 20 years to appear after asbestos exposure.
  • Need for exposure history: Doctors rely on your asbestos exposure history to help make an accurate diagnosis.
  • Occupational risk: People who worked in shipbuilding, construction or manufacturing face a higher risk for both diseases.
  • Risk of misdiagnosis: Overlapping symptoms can sometimes lead to confusion between asbestosis and mesothelioma.
  • Shared cause: Both start after a person breathes in asbestos fibers.

Both mesothelioma and asbestosis can also cause pleural effusion, which means fluid builds up in the lining around the lungs. As swelling and inflammation increase, the extra fluid puts more pressure on the lungs and can make breathing harder.

Registered Nurse Sean Marchese, MS, RN, says, “Asbestos exposure can cause a wide range of diseases, not always just mesothelioma or malignant diseases such as lung cancer.” Regular screenings may help find signs of asbestos-related diseases early and lead to better outcomes.

Can Asbestosis Turn Into Mesothelioma?

Asbestosis and mesothelioma both result from asbestos exposure, but asbestosis doesn’t turn into mesothelioma. Having asbestosis means you were exposed to a lot of asbestos, which also increases your risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers.

People with asbestosis have a higher chance of developing mesothelioma later, especially with heavy or long-term asbestos exposure. But one disease never changes into the other. If you have asbestosis, talk with your doctor about your risk for mesothelioma and whether you need regular check-ups.

Diagnosing Asbestosis vs. Mesothelioma

Diagnosing asbestosis and mesothelioma starts with a detailed medical history, including any time you’ve been exposed to asbestos. Doctors then use imaging tests, like chest X-rays or high-resolution CT scans, to look for signs of disease. 

According to 2025 research standards, doctors use imaging scans to help diagnose asbestosis and mesothelioma. These scans can sometimes reveal signs such as scarring in asbestosis or lumps and fluid in mesothelioma. But further tests are usually needed to confirm the diagnosis.

How Asbestosis Is Diagnosed

  • Chest imaging: X-rays and high-resolution CT scans show patterns of lung scarring and pleural thickening.
  • Consultation with specialists: Pulmonologists and pathologists use clinical criteria from the American Thoracic Society to confirm the diagnosis.
  • Exclusion of other causes: Doctors rule out other lung diseases with similar symptoms, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, known more commonly as COPD.
  • Exposure history: A clear record of occupational or environmental asbestos exposure supports the diagnosis.
  • Pulmonary function tests: These check how well your lungs are working and how much damage has occurred.

Pulmonary function tests check how well your lungs work, especially if asbestosis is suspected. These tests, along with your exposure history, help doctors tell these conditions apart.

Mesothelioma needs more advanced tests, such as MRIs, PET scans and a biopsy, to confirm cancer. A biopsy is often done with a procedure called thoracoscopy or thoracentesis, which lets doctors look at the tissue and find out what type of cancer it is. Oncologists then use special tools to see how far the cancer has spread, which helps guide treatment decisions.

Mesothelioma Treatment vs. Asbestosis Treatment

Mesothelioma and asbestosis each need different treatments but some overlap. Both focus on easing breathing and improving quality of life. People with either condition may use pain medicine to help with chest discomfort. Ongoing care, including pulmonary rehabilitation and lifestyle changes, can help people with both conditions manage symptoms and maintain daily activities.

Asbestosis treatments often include medications, pulmonary therapy and breathing treatments like bronchodilators. Some people may need surgery to remove fluid from the lungs. In severe cases, a lung transplant may be considered. Oxygen therapy and antibiotics can help manage symptoms and prevent infections as asbestosis gets worse with age.

Treatment for mesothelioma usually involves cancer therapies such as immunotherapy, chemo and radiation. Surgery may be used to remove tumors or drain fluid from the chest. Lung transplants aren’t an option for mesothelioma. 

Dr. Jacques Fontaine and Dr. Andrea Wolf
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Asbestosis vs. Mesothelioma Prognosis

The outlook for asbestosis and mesothelioma is different because each condition changes over time. Many people with asbestosis live for years with manageable symptoms, though breathing may get harder if lung damage increases or other health issues develop.

Mesothelioma often grows and spreads faster.  Most people live 12 to 21 months after diagnosis. However, some people live much longer, especially with early detection and expert care. Many long-term mesothelioma survivors share their personal stories of hope with us, with some surviving more than 20 years. 

As Jerry Cochran, a Navy veteran and mesothelioma survivor, tells us “It’s been a difficult struggle. But I’ve been fighting for so long, I think that’s what kept me alive.”

Jerry Cochran
Verified Asbestos.com Survivor
Navy Veteran With Asbestosis & Silicosis Has a Passion for Justice

Navy veteran Jerry Cochran was told 50 years ago that he had only five years to live. But he said his faith in God and his work advocating for others has kept him going for the past half a century.

Jerry Cochran
Verified Asbestos.com Survivor
Read Jerry’s Story

Legal Options for Asbestosis vs. Mesothelioma

People facing asbestosis or mesothelioma often need financial support to cover medical care, treatment, lost wages and other expenses. Compensation is available through asbestos litigation, asbestos trust funds, workers’ compensation and VA benefits. Because mesothelioma is a cancer, settlements and trial awards are usually higher than those for asbestosis.

You can seek compensation through personal injury lawsuits filed against asbestos companies. When some of these companies declared bankruptcy, they created asbestos trust funds as part of that legal process. Workers’ compensation for job-related exposure and VA benefits for veterans are other options for financial assistance. The amount you may receive depends on your diagnosis, level of injury and how you were exposed to asbestos.

Notable Asbestos-Related Legal Cases

  • Valve and gasket verdict: A worker exposed to asbestos in valves and gaskets received a $38 million jury verdict after his mesothelioma diagnosis. This case highlights the serious risks workers in non-building trades encounter.
  • Pustejovsky v. Rapid-American Corp.: Henry Pustejovsky was first diagnosed with asbestosis and later with mesothelioma. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that filing a claim for asbestosis doesn’t prevent a later claim for mesothelioma if cancer develops.
  • North Carolina ironworker cases: Railroad and heavy-equipment workers in North Carolina successfully filed separate claims for asbestosis and mesothelioma under the “two-disease” rule, which allows more than one claim if both conditions develop.

The national average mesothelioma trial verdict is $20.7 million. Asbestosis payouts are typically lower but can still be significant. Trust fund payments and settlements vary based on your situation and the extent of your illness.

It’s important to act quickly, as each state sets its own legal deadlines, called statutes of limitations, for filing claims. An experienced asbestos attorney can help you understand your options and make sure you don’t miss important deadlines.

Common Questions About Mesothelioma vs. Asbestosis

Does asbestosis always lead to cancer?

No, asbestosis itself isn’t a type of cancer. However, it indicates a history of asbestos exposure, which increases a person’s risk of developing asbestos-related cancers like mesothelioma or lung cancer. While many people with asbestosis never develop cancer, regular medical monitoring is recommended given the elevated risk.

Is it possible to have both diseases?

Yes, it’s possible for someone to have both asbestosis and mesothelioma. This typically happens in individuals with significant, long-term asbestos exposure. Having asbestosis doesn’t cause mesothelioma directly, but both can develop independently as a result of inhaling asbestos fibers over time.

What’s the life expectancy with each condition?

The average life expectancy for asbestosis and mesothelioma differs significantly. Individual life expectancy for either condition varies widely depending on personal factors. Asbestosis may progress slowly, and some people live for decades with proper care. Mesothelioma is typically more aggressive, with a median survival of 12 to 21 months after diagnosis. Though some survivors have responded well to treatment and achieved mesothelioma remission. Early detection and emerging treatments can improve outcomes in some cases.

Can these diseases be misdiagnosed?

Yes, asbestosis and mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed. This can especially happen in the early stages. Symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain overlap with those of other lung conditions, making diagnosis challenging. A history of asbestos exposure is critical to guiding doctors toward appropriate screenings and tests, including imaging and biopsies, to avoid misdiagnosis. Cancer misdiagnosis can have serious effects physically, emotionally and financially.

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