List of Asbestos-Related Diseases
Key Facts About Asbestos-Related Diseases
- 43% had been diagnosed with pleural effusion
- 26% pleural thickening
- 19% asbestosis
- 12% pleural plaques
Patients can be diagnosed with one or more asbestos-related diseases at a time. Asbestos exposure can still happen from legacy asbestos in older machines and buildings. The U.S. still imports asbestos-containing products, and the chloralkali industry still imports raw asbestos.
What Diseases Can Asbestos Cause?
Asbestos is linked to several diseases, both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous). Exposure to asbestos fibers occurs in construction and other industries, but its use has been banned or restricted in many countries because of its health risks. Asbestos isn’t completely banned in the U.S.
The most common pleural disease in the U.S. is pleural effusion. Among malignant diseases, lung cancer is the third-most common type of cancer in the U.S. Both diseases can develop from asbestos exposure. Several other benign and malignant diseases also occur as a result of exposure to this toxic mineral.
Malignant Asbestos-Related Diseases
- Bile duct cancer
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Laryngeal cancer -
Lung cancer -
Mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial) -
Ovarian cancer
Malignancies With Possible Asbestos Links
- Colon cancer
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Pharyngeal cancer -
Stomach cancer
Benign Asbestos-Related Diseases
- Asbestosis
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Collapsed lung -
Pericardial effusion -
Peritoneal effusion (ascites) -
Pleural effusion -
Pleural plaques -
Pleural thickening
Any amount of asbestos exposure can lead to disease. Some people may develop an asbestos-related disease through secondhand exposure from family members who work with materials containing asbestos.
Because many asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period, it can take years before symptoms occur. Even if a disease is benign, it can still become life-threatening if left untreated.
19,000
The number of people in the U.S. exposed to asbestos who The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has helped since 2017.
Malignant Asbestos-Related Diseases
Malignant asbestos-related diseases include mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer and bile duct cancer. Asbestos exposure causes these diseases and can also cause other health problems, such as asbestosis and pleural plaques.
Any amount of exposure can cause asbestos-related cancer. People with the highest risk have inhaled or ingested large amounts of asbestos for extended periods of time.
Malignant and benign diseases could potentially develop after one exposure. However, malignant conditions usually result from years of cumulative exposure.
People at the highest risk of developing malignant asbestos-related diseases are those who work in construction and other professions using asbestos-containing materials. These individuals may be eligible for cancer screenings because of their long-term asbestos exposure.
Survivor Story
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.
Benign Asbestos-Related Diseases
Benign asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis and pleural effusions, aren’t cancerous. These are somewhat more common than asbestos-related malignancies.
Even though these diseases are benign, 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.
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 is causing your symptoms. Proper treatment of benign asbestos-related diseases prevents further complications later on.
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How Asbestos Causes Disease
Asbestos’ microscopic fibers can become trapped in the mesothelium or the thin tissue that lines the body’s cavities. The fibers are inhaled and lodge in the lung tissue, or they may travel through the bloodstream and become stuck in the mesothelium lining other organs, such as the abdominal cavity or heart.
“Patients inhale asbestos, which causes chronic inflammation. Those inflammatory changes lead to genetic changes in a cell, changing its DNA to a cancer cell.”
Many asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period and take several years to develop. It’s important to discuss any asbestos exposure with your doctor so they can monitor your health over time. Early screening and detection are key to diagnosing and treating asbestos-related diseases.
Commonly Asked Questions About Asbestos-Related Diseases
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What are the 4 major asbestos-related diseases?
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Several diseases may develop following asbestos exposure. These may be malignant or benign. The 4 major asbestos-related diseases are:
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Pleural disease, including pleural thickening and pleural plaques
- Other malignancies, including lung, ovarian and bile duct cancers
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How many years does it take for asbestos-related diseases to develop?
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Asbestos-related diseases are often latent, meaning they take several years to develop. According to the National Cancer Institute, it may take 10 to 40 years for symptoms of asbestos-related diseases to begin.
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What if I’ve been exposed to asbestos?
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If you have been exposed to asbestos, it is important to speak with your doctor. They will perform screening tests to identify lung damage and diagnose asbestos-related diseases.
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