Diseases Caused by Asbestos Exposure
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Exclusive Content | Sean Marchese, MS, RN: Diseases Caused by Asbestos Exposure
Diseases Caused by Asbestos Exposure

Exclusive Content

Sean Marchese, MS, RN: Diseases Caused by Asbestos Exposure

What Types of Diseases Can Asbestos Cause?

Asbestos exposure can cause cancer, like mesothelioma and lung cancer, and noncancerous conditions like asbestosis. Even if a disease is noncancerous, it can still become life-threatening if left untreated.

Any amount of asbestos exposure can lead to noncancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) conditions. Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos will become sick. Exposure does increase a person’s lifelong risk of developing one or more asbestos-related diseases.

Key Facts About Asbestos-Related Diseases

  1. Studies have linked more than a dozen different diseases to asbestos exposure. 
  2. People can be diagnosed with more than one asbestos-related disease at the same time.
  3. A diagnosis of a benign asbestos-related disease doesn’t necessarily mean someone will develop cancer, but they may have an elevated risk.
  4. People at the highest risk include those who work in construction and other jobs using asbestos products. 

This elevated risk lasts for decades after exposure. Because many asbestos-related diseases take a long time to develop, known as a latency period, it can take years before symptoms appear. Cancer screenings can help asbestos workers watch out for signs of disease.

Dr. Ken Takahashi founded the Asbestos Disease Research Institute in Australia. He tells us, “Asbestos-related disease is 100% preventable. If we stopped using asbestos, by definition, we could stop asbestos disease.”

Asbestos-Related Cancers

Asbestos-related cancers include mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says there’s a definitive link between asbestos exposure and these 4 cancer types. Researchers continue to investigate other cancers that are associated with asbestos.

These diseases could potentially develop after a single exposure. But malignant conditions usually result from years of heavy exposure. People with the highest risk have inhaled or ingested large amounts of asbestos for extended periods of time.

Laryngeal Cancer
Laryngeal Cancer

Laryngeal cancer develops in the larynx or “voice box.” A recent study of occupational risk factors for laryngeal cancer found that workers exposed to asbestos are 3.68 times as likely to develop this disease. 

Graphic of lung cancer developing.
Lung Cancer

Asbestos exposure can cause both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. Inhaled asbestos fibers can change specific genes in the body, eventually developing into asbestos lung cancer over the course of 15 to 35 years.

Where Mesothelioma Cancer Develops in the Lungs
Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma forms in the membranes covering body cavities. Tumors can appear on the lining of the lungs, stomach, heart or testes. Chest or abdominal pain and shortness of breath affect many patients.

Where ovarian cancer develops
Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer forms in the ovaries, the reproductive organs that make and release eggs. A 2023 systematic review found that asbestos exposure in women increased the risk of death from ovarian cancer.

Bile Duct Cancer
Possibly Asbestos-Related Cancers

The IARC also says there’s a possible link with 3 other cancers. These include pharyngeal cancer (a type of throat cancer), stomach cancer and colon cancer. Other cancers may also have potential associations with asbestos exposure. 

For example, asbestos exposure is a risk factor for bile duct and cancer in people without any other known risk factors. Other cancers possibly associated with asbestos exposure include esophageal cancer, gallbladder cancer, kidney cancer and throat cancer. Studies on asbestos and these cancers are inconsistent.

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Noncancerous Asbestos-Related Diseases

Asbestos exposure can cause benign lung diseases including asbestosis, fluid buildup (effusions), pleural plaques and pleural thickening. They’re somewhat more common than asbestos-related cancers. 

Noncancerous illnesses can develop within only a few years, unlike asbestos-related cancers. One case study even documented the presence of noncancerous pleural effusions less than a year after the patient’s exposure.

Many benign asbestos-related diseases are signs of malignant mesothelioma. However, they may also point to noncancerous health problems such as viral infections or lung injury. Your doctor will run a series of tests to determine what’s causing your symptoms. Proper treatment of benign asbestos-related diseases prevents further complications later.

Even though these diseases aren’t cancerous, they have the potential to become dangerous. Talk to your doctor if you begin experiencing symptoms of an asbestos-related disease, especially if you have previously been exposed to asbestos.

Asbestosis
Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that develops as a result of exposure to asbestos fibers. It leads to scarring and inflammation. Asbestosis is prevalent in insulating, shipyard work, pipefitting and asbestos manufacturing.

Autoimmune Diseases

Evidence links asbestos to autoimmune diseases. These conditions include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and a new autoimmune disease discovered in Libby, Montana. The novel condition involves collagen thickening of certain membranes surrounding the lungs.

Benign Asbestos Pleural Effusion 

Benign asbestos pleural effusion is fluid buildup that tests negative for cancer cells. It typically develops on one side of the chest and rarely recurs. BAPE may be related to local inflammation from asbestos fibers rather than autoimmune reaction.

Collapsed Lung Diagram
Collapsed Lung

A collapsed lung is an uncommon asbestos-related condition. It can develop when air becomes trapped in the pleural space. The collapse may be partial (rounded atelectasis) or total (pneumothorax).

COPD Diagram
COPD

Asbestos exposure does not directly cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. But exposure to dust, fumes and chemicals at work can raise the risk. Asbestos workers often faced these lung irritants.

Diffuse Pleural Thickening (Thickened Pleura)
Diffuse Pleural Thickening

Asbestos exposure can cause diffuse pleural thickening. This means the thickening of the lining around the lungs is widespread. The condition affects 8 centimeters to one-quarter of the pleura. Diffuse pleural thickening may decrease lung function, but it rarely leads to death.

Pericardial Effusion
Pericardial Effusions

Pericardial effusion is the collection of excess fluid between the membrane layers surrounding the heart (pericardium). It may be a sign of malignant asbestos disease such as pericardial mesothelioma.

Peritoneal Effusion
Peritoneal Effusions

Peritoneal effusion (ascites) refers to excess fluid in the belly. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare cause. Effusions are more likely linked to benign conditions or other types of cancer.

Pleural Effusion
Pleural Effusions

Pleural effusions are a fluid buildup between pleural membrane layers. Effusions are often a symptom of late-stage mesothelioma and commonly contain cancer cells.

Pleural Plaques
Pleural Plaques

Pleural plaques are hardened calcium deposits that form on the lining around the lungs called the pleura after asbestos exposure. These plaques aren’t considered a serious health issue, but they can make breathing painful if they’re too thick.

Pleuritis (Inflamed Pleura)
Pleuritis

Pleuritis, also known as pleurisy, is inflammation of the lining of the lungs. Asbestos exposure creates inflamed surfaces that become rough and rub together. This results in sharp chest or shoulder pain. Pleurisy may occur with pleural effusions.

Pleural Plaques
Pleural Plaques

Pleural plaques are hardened calcium deposits that form on the pleura after asbestos exposure. These plaques are not considered a serious health issue, but they can make breathing painful if they are too thick.

Pleuritis (Inflamed Pleura)
Pleuritis

Pleuritis, also known as pleurisy, is inflammation of the pleura. Asbestos exposure creates inflamed surfaces that become rough and rub together, resulting in sharp chest or shoulder pain. Pleurisy may occur with pleural effusions.

How Asbestos Causes Disease

When inhaled, asbestos fibers can pierce tissue in the body. It can get stuck in the mesothelium, which is a thin tissue that lines certain organs. Asbestos fibers cause irritation and inflammation to these tissues.

Asbestos fibers are microscopic. Researchers believe they may also travel through the bloodstream. This is how the fibers might reach the lining of the heart, abdomen or testes after they’re inhaled. 

As Dr. Marcelo DaSilva, chief of thoracic surgery and medical director at AdventHealth Cancer Institute, tells us, “Patients inhale asbestos, which causes chronic inflammation. Those inflammatory changes lead to genetic changes in a cell, changing its DNA to a cancer cell.”

Kevin Hession
Verified Asbestos.com Survivor
Pleural Mesothelioma Survivor First Experienced 4 Cases of Pleurisy

Kevin Hession had shortness of breath and chest pain. In total, he experienced 4 cases of pleurisy, which causes inflammation of tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity. Following case No. 4, Kevin underwent exploratory surgery. Tests came back negative for cancer, but he underwent 4 chemotherapy infusions and then decortication surgery. The surgeon found mesothelioma cells.

Kevin Hession
Verified Asbestos.com Survivor
Read Kevin’s Story

Commonly Asked Questions About Asbestos-Related Diseases

What are the 4 major asbestos-related diseases?

The 4 major types of asbestos-related cancer are:

  • Laryngeal cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Mesothelioma
  • Ovarian cancer

Several diseases may develop following asbestos exposure. These may be malignant or benign.

Evidence suggests asbestos may cause gastrointestinal tumors, including bile duct cancer. Benign conditions include asbestosis, pleural effusion, pleural thickening and pleural plaques.

How many years does it take for asbestos-related diseases to develop?

Asbestos-related diseases are often latent, meaning they take several years to develop. According to the National Cancer Institute, it may take 20 to 60 years for symptoms of asbestos-related diseases to show.

What if I’ve been exposed to asbestos?

If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, it’s important to speak with your doctor. They’ll perform screening tests to identify lung damage and diagnose asbestos-related diseases.

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