Asbestosis is a chronic condition caused by long-term inhalation and retention of asbestos fibers, which affect lung tissue, causing inflammation and a buildup of fibrous tissue. People with this condition are at high risk of certain types of cancer, emphysema and pleural plaques and often experience shortness of breath and chest pain, according to the British National Health Service.
Mesothelioma
Frequently referred to as "asbestos cancer," almost eight out of 10 cases of mesothelioma are linked with asbestosis, according to Cancer Research UK. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops from the mesothelium, a protective lining covering many of the body's organs. People with asbestosis are thought to be particularly susceptible to a virus known as SV40, which increases the risk of developing mesothelioma significantly, according to Cancer Research UK. Symptoms of this form of cancer include a persistent cough, chest pain, weight loss, loss of appetite, wheezing, bloody sputum and recurring lung infections, according to Asbestos Network.
Other Cancers
Prolonged asbestos exposure has been linked with a number of lung cancers, including small cell and non-small cell. In fact, an estimated 3,400 to 8,500 new lung cancer cases in the United States each year are thought to be accounted for by asbestos exposure, according to The Mesothelioma Centre. Data collected by the National Institutes of Health links several other cancers, such as gut, colon, rectum, larynx, ovarian and adenocarcinoma, with asbestos exposure.
Emphysema
Research has demonstrated that people diagnosed with asbestosis are more likely to suffer from emphysema, although a causal link was not found, according to a Finnish study published in January 2004 in "Pathology of Asbestos-Associated Diseases." Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that causes shortness of breath and chest pain. Lungs lose their elasticity and become stiff, which results in the collapse of small airways during exhalation, trapping air within the lungs and restricting breathing, according to the website Mesothelioma.
Pleural Thickening
A hardening of the lining of the lungs characterizes pleural thickening, a condition that can restrict breathing and damage quality of life. This condition is particularly common in people subject to prolonged exposure to asbestos and can be potentially life-threatening, according to the London Hazards Centre.
Pleural plaques
Localized thickening or scarring to small areas of the lungs is caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. These regions, known as pleural plaques, are regularly reported by sufferers as the cause of considerable pain and discomfort, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No cure for this condition is available at present, but early diagnosis can identify people particularly at risk of developing other serious asbestos-related diseases, facilitating an early treatment regimen that may improve prognosis.
References
- National Health Service: Asbestosis
- Cancer Research UK: Mesothelioma Risks and Causes
- "Pathology of Asbestos-Associated Diseases"; A.H. Parnell; 2004
- Mesothelioma: Emphysema
- Asbestos Network: Asbestos Lung Cancer Among Workers
