Asbestos-Related Diseases
Table Of Contents
Asbestos-related diseases include cancers such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer. They also include non-malignant diseases such as asbestosis and pleural plaques. Any amount of asbestos exposure can cause asbestos-related cancer.
Written by Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RDN | Medically Reviewed By Dr. Jacques Fontaine | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: August 9, 2024
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Written by Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RDN | Medically Reviewed By Dr. Jacques Fontaine | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: August 9, 2024
What Diseases Can Asbestos Cause?
Asbestos is linked to several diseases, both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous). Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as non-malignant lung diseases such as asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural thickening. Malignancies with possible asbestos links include bile duct cancer, colon cancer, pharyngeal cancer and stomach cancer.
Cancers Linked to Asbestos Exposure
- Laryngeal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial)
- Ovarian cancer
Benign Asbestos-Related Diseases
- Asbestosis
- Collapsed lung
- COPD
- Pericardial effusion
- Peritoneal effusion (ascites)
- Pleural effusion
- Pleural plaques
- Pleural thickening
- Pleuritis (pleurisy)
Any amount of asbestos exposure can lead to disease. 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.
Summary
Asbestos exposure can cause various cancers and non-malignant lung diseases. Asbestos-related cancers include mesothelioma, lung cancer, larynx cancer and ovarian cancer. Exposure to asbestos can also lead to asbestosis, pleural plaques, pleural thickening and benign pleural effusions. Patients can be diagnosed with one or more asbestos-related diseases at a time.
Malignant Asbestos-Related Diseases
Malignant asbestos-related diseases include mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer. Evidence is growing for 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.
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.
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
When inhaled, asbestos fibers can become trapped in the lung tissue or mesothelium, the thin lining of the body’s cavities. They may also 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.
Dr. Marcelo DaSilva, Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Medical Director at AdventHealth Cancer Institute
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.
19,000
Number of people in the U.S. exposed to asbestos who The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has helped since 2017.
Commonly Asked Questions About Asbestos-Related Diseases
- What are the 4 major asbestos-related diseases?
-
Several diseases may develop following asbestos exposure. These may be malignant or benign. There are 4 types of cancer caused by asbestos:
- Laryngeal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Ovarian cancer
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 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.
This Page Contains 25 Cited Articles
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.
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