Pleural plaques are the most common sign of asbestos exposure. They are benign areas of thickened tissue in the lung lining's outer layer. Pleural plaques don't cause mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. But they can signal a greater risk of disease.
Learn more about pleural mesothelioma and the steps you can take to fight this disease.
"The Patient Advocates are absolutely amazing and helpful! I am so very pleased with the information and the emotional support that I have received from everyone...." see more
Pamela K.
Mesothelioma Patient
"I found out about The Mesothelioma Center while researching peritoneal mesothelioma days after being diagnosed with the malignant cancer. While a lot of the 'Me...." see more
Karen F.
Mesothelioma Patient
"I reached out and talked to Aaron a couple of weeks before my diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. He was very helpful and gave me a lot of information at that ...." see more
Stan B.
Mesothelioma Patient
"My brother was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. I began researching it online. The information I received from The Mesothelioma Center is all-inclusive. No...." see more
Cindy W.
Sister of a Mesothelioma Patient
"My Dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma, and thankfully The Mesothelioma Center was the first place I called. Snehal Smart answered the phone immediately and was...." see more
Pleural plaques are thickened tissue that forms as a reaction of asbestos fibers becoming lodged in the pleura. Pleural plaques develop on the outermost layer of the pleura and are noncancerous.
Key Facts About Pleural Plaques
Pleural plaques are not malignant. But they are a diagnostic factor for pleural mesothelioma.
CT scans can detect pleural plaques with 95% to 100% accuracy.
Pleural plaques are usually 2 mm to 5 mm thick and form 20-30 years after exposure to asbestos.
Most people with pleural plaques don’t exhibit symptoms and can live years without health problems. Some patients do report pain or a grating sensation while breathing.
Another term for pleural plaques is hyaline pleural plaques. They contain hyaline tissues found in cartilage. Pleural plaques, which are caused by prolonged asbestos exposure, can raise the risk of pleural mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer. Imaging tests help identify pleural plaques.
Pleural plaques develop on the outermost layer of the lining around the lungs called the pleura.
What Are Calcified Pleural Plaques?
Pleural plaques become calcified when calcium salts build up in the tissue. The calcium salts harden the plaques much like the substances that harden bones. Calcified pleural plaques are seen in 10% to 15% of cases, according to the medical text “The Teaching Files: Chest.”
Noncalcified plaques are pliable and rubbery. But, over time, they can calcify from long asbestos exposure. Calcified pleural plaques can also be a precursor of asbestosis and pleural mesothelioma.
How Are Pleural Plaques Caused?
Pleural plaques are mainly caused by asbestos exposure. An immune response of pleural macrophages can also cause them. They may appear 20-30 years after exposure to asbestos.
The thick pleural tissue in pleural plaques does not always lead to mesothelioma. But a 2022 study in the journal Chest found that bilateral pleural plaques, nodules, and pleural effusions are diagnostic factors of mesothelioma.
The Role of Asbestos Fibers
Inhaled asbestos fibers can build up in the lung lining. The asbestos fibers irritate lung tissue and cause pleural plaques. Studies show asbestos fibers reach the pleural space via the lymphatic system.
Asbestos Exposure Sources
Sources of asbestos that can lead to pleural plaques include jobs with prolonged exposure to high levels of asbestos, including military service. Jobs where people handled asbestos products, such as on construction sites, are other sources. Some environmental exposures can lead to pleural plaques. These include living near an asbestos mine or an asbestos factory.
Pleural mesothelioma survivor Jack Riordan spent most of his career working with asbestos insulation. He was diagnosed with pleural plaques 30 years before doctors told him he had mesothelioma. “If I had worked in a grocery store all my life, it would have been devastating to hear,” Riordan said. “I was prepared.”
Find a Top Mesothelioma Doctor
Gain access to top mesothelioma doctors and get help scheduling appointments.
Most people with pleural plaques have no symptoms. Some may have chest pain or breathing problems. Symptoms appear from issues linked to asbestos exposure and the damage asbestos does to the respiratory system.
Symptoms of Pleural Plaques
Coughing up blood
Chronic coughing
Trouble breathing
While pleural plaques are not as aggressive as mesothelioma, their presence can indicate significant asbestos exposure. Imaging scans for possible respiratory symptoms may return a diagnosis of pleural plaques or pleural thickening.
Jack Riordan
Verified Asbestos.com Survivor
Mesothelioma Survivor Was First Diagnosed With Pleural Plaques 30 Years Ago
Jack Riordan was diagnosed 30 years ago with pleural plaques, an asbestos-related condition. When shortness of breath became an issue, he knew it might be severe. He had spent much of his career working with asbestos insulation, doing asbestos abatement and general contracting. He said of his mesothelioma diagnosis, “I knew this was a possibility a long time before.”
How Are Pleural Plaques Diagnosed?
Pleural plaques are diagnosed with imaging scans such as X-rays and CT scans. Each type of imaging scan uses different techniques to show the presence of pleural plaques.
Common Imaging Tests
CT Scans: A CT scan is the most accurate test for diagnosing pleural plaques. It is 95% to 100% correct. The test can reveal plaques anywhere in the chest, even if they are not calcified.
X-rays: Radiologists find most pleural plaques after an X-ray. This test reveals areas with thickened nodular edges resembling a holly leaf or translucent white deposits on the lungs. In specific locations, these plaques can be difficult to identify via X-ray.
These imaging scans can also detect pleural mesothelioma. Doctors often find mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases when they are scanning patients for other conditions presenting similar symptoms.
Treatment and Management of Pleural Plaques
Pleural plaques do not need immediate treatment unless the condition is impacting lung function. Another reason pleural plaques are not treated is that the affected areas do not spread like mesothelioma tumors caused by asbestos exposure.
People with pleural plaques can maintain their lungs healthy and strong by taking on lifestyle changes. Check with your doctor first, but these lifestyle changes may help.
Lifestyle Changes to Improve Lung Function
Create and follow a healthy diet plan
Quit smoking
Taking on a routine exercise regimen
You can ask your doctor about lung function tests. These could pave the way for how you manage your lifestyle changes.
Pleural plaques are not a form of cancer, although pleural plaques and fibrous thickening may increase your risk of pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Do pleural plaques increase the risk of developing lung cancer?
Yes, pleural plaques can raise the risk of developing asbestos lung cancer. This is because pleural plaques are an indication of prolonged asbestos exposure, which can cause lung cancer.
What’s the difference between pleural plaques and pleural thickening?
Pleural plaques generally form in a small and localized locations. They are noncancerous. Pleural thickening, also noncancerous, is more widespread and more closely associated with a potential pleural mesothelioma diagnosis. Both are linked to asbestos exposure.
Can pleural plaques lead to other lung conditions?
No, but they can raise the risk of more dangerous asbestos-related conditions like mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestos-lung cancer.
Find a Specialist Near You
Begin your search for a doctor in your area.
Don’t see your state? Find out how our Doctor Match program can help.
The sources on all content featured in The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com include medical and scientific studies, peer-reviewed studies and other research documents from reputable organizations.
Visona, S.D. et al. (2024, March). Asbestos burden in lungs of mesothelioma patients with pleural plaques, lung fibrosis and/or ferruginous bodies at histology: a postmortem SEM-EDS study. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/carcin/article/45/3/131/7464959
Your web browser is no longer supported by Microsoft. Update your browser for more security, speed and compatibility.
If you are looking for mesothelioma support, please contact our Patient Advocates at (855) 404-4592
Who Am I Calling?
Calling this number connects you with a Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center, the nation's most trusted mesothelioma resource.
Our Patient Advocates can help guide you or your loved one through the steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Our team has a combined experience of more than 30 years in assisting cancer patients, and includes a medical doctor, an oncology registered nurse and a U.S. Navy veteran.
Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
Reviewed
Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.
My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.
Asbestos.com. (2024, October 23). Pleural Plaques and Asbestos. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/pleural-plaques/
MLA
"Pleural Plaques and Asbestos." Asbestos.com, 23 Oct 2024, https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/pleural-plaques/.
Chicago
Asbestos.com. "Pleural Plaques and Asbestos." Last modified October 23, 2024. https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/pleural-plaques/.
Dr. Raja Flores is chairman of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital and a professor of surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City. He is a world leader in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Inquiries
Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families doesn’t believe in selling customer information. However, as required by the new California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you may record your preference to view or remove your personal information by completing the form below.
