Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

What Should I Know About Lung Cancer Caused by Asbestos?

Asbestos exposure causes a small percentage of lung cancer cases every year. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer in smokers and non-smokers. The risk of lung cancer increases five-fold with exposure to asbestos, according to a 2023 report. 

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It kills more Americans each year than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined. Lung cancer caused by asbestos is responsible for an estimated 6,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.

Veterans and others connected with military service are at high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in the military. Mining, construction, heavy industry, shipbuilding and firefighting are also high-risk groups.

Hildy Grossman

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Lung Cancer Survivor Jazzes It up to Raise Awareness

Hildy Grossman, a lung cancer survivor, always loved performing on stage, singing for the joy of the song, and the thrill she felt as a cabaret entertainer. She sings today to save lives. Grossman has turned a lifelong passion for musical theater into a beacon of hope for much-needed lung cancer research, creating a nonprofit, volunteer-powered fundraising arm built around performing arts.

Hildy Grossman

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Read Hildy’s Story

Mesothelioma vs. Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in different mesothelial linings in the body. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, and its close location to the lungs leads to its confusion with lung cancer. 

Asbestos lung cancer develops inside the lung. Asbestos-related lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma are two different types of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Both diseases take decades to develop but then can spread or metastasize within months.

Pleural mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer involve similar diagnostic procedures and symptoms, but they differ in physical characteristics and treatment techniques. Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. However, asbestos exposure causes six times more cases of lung cancer than mesothelioma. Lung cancer claims the most lives of all asbestos-related diseases.

What Are the Types of Asbestos Lung Cancer?

There are two main types of asbestos-related lung cancer: Non-small cell and small cell. Typically, non-small cell lung cancer accounts for about 80% to 85% of all lung cancer cases. Small cell lung cancer accounts for 10% to 15% of all cases.

Small cell lung cancer grows more aggressively than non-small cell lung cancer. It also has distinct characteristics when viewed under a microscope. Its cancer cells are small and oat-shaped. They are smaller and more uniform than the larger, varied cells in non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Asbestos exposure can cause non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for about 85% of all lung cancer cases. There are three subtypes of non-small cell: Squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.

The prognosis for NSCLC varies depending on factors such as the stage of the cancer, presence of specific genetic mutations and a patient’s response to treatment.

Small Cell Lung Cancer

Exposure to asbestos can also cause small cell lung cancer, which makes up 10% to 15% of cases and is more difficult to treat. The cancer can spread to other parts of the body before presenting any symptoms.

Unfortunately, surgery is rarely an option with SCLC because of its metastasis. Doctors instead rely on chemotherapy to attack cancer cells throughout the body.

How Does Asbestos Cause Lung Cancer?

Asbestos causes lung cancer. It releases tiny fibers into the air. They can be inhaled and lodged in lung tissue. Over time, these fibers irritate and damage the lung cells. This causes inflammation and scarring. Research on asbestos and lung cancer has found that the toxic fibers may change cellular DNA.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer is the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization. In 2017, the IARC conducted an extensive study showing that asbestos changes specific genes in the body.

Asbestos-related lung cancer typically takes between 15 and 35 years to develop. While not all people exposed to asbestos will develop lung cancer, those exposed to large amounts of asbestos for long periods of time are at the most risk. 

According to an international study published in 2020, no substance causes more cases of lung cancer linked to occupation than asbestos. The study found that asbestos is responsible for 37.5% of all occupational lung cancer cases.

Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer and Smoking

The risk of lung cancer is much higher among asbestos-exposed smokers for several reasons. Smoking impairs the immune response to asbestos damage and the lungs’ ability to remove asbestos fibers. 

Any amount of asbestos exposure contributes to the development of lung cancer, even among heavy smokers. Those smokers who have been exposed to asbestos should stop smoking immediately and seek annual screenings for lung cancer.

What Are the Symptoms of Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer?

Asbestos-related lung cancer causes shortness of breath, a cough and chest pain. These symptoms resemble other respiratory conditions. This often delays diagnosis. Lung cancer, from asbestos, smoking, or other causes, has the same symptoms.

These symptoms typically only arise once lung cancer reaches a late stage of development when the cancer is tougher to treat. People with a history of asbestos exposure should seek regular screening for asbestos-related diseases.

How Is Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer Diagnosed?

Tissue biopsies, imaging scans, blood tests and physical exams help to diagnose asbestos-related lung cancer. A biopsy may be extracted through a long needle or with a bronchoscope, which is passed down the throat and into the airways of the lungs. A pathologist must examine a biopsy sample of suspicious tissue to confirm a lung cancer diagnosis.

The diagnostic process begins with physical exams and pulmonary function tests. Imaging scans such as X-rays and CT scans help visualize potential tumors. A 2021 clinical research study noted that PET-CT scans of patients with asbestos-related lung cancer showed comparable sensitivity and specificity to similar scans of patients with conventional lung cancer.

Asbestosis, a noncancerous asbestos-related condition, and lung cancer are commonly associated. This is because the risk for both increases as asbestos fibers accumulate in lung tissue. The presence of asbestosis is a reliable diagnostic marker that a patient was exposed to asbestos enough to develop lung cancer. 

What Are theTreatment Options for Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer?

Treatment for asbestos-related lung cancer typically involves a multimodal approach tailored to the patient’s condition. Surgery aims to remove tumors, chemotherapy kills cancer cells, radiation prevents recurrence, and immunotherapy boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. 

Clinical trials may offer innovative treatments for asbestos-related lung cancer. Patient prognosis varies depending on factors such as cancer stage, overall health and response to treatment, highlighting the importance of individualized care plans and ongoing monitoring for optimal outcomes.

Brachytherapy for Lung Cancer

Brachytherapy has been historically successful in treating lung cancer. In one study, 129 lung cancer patients received LDR or permanent brachytherapy. A quarter of these patients survived five years or longer, compared with only 15 percent of all lung cancer patients.

According to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy, researchers are investigating whether using a CT scan to map the location and size of tumors could improve the application and outcomes of brachytherapy in lung cancer patients. While more research is necessary to determine its effectiveness, initial results suggest that brachytherapy can deliver more radiation to a lung tumor than stereotactic body radiation therapy.

In other studies, researchers found high-dose-rate brachytherapy to be the most effective palliative treatment for lung cancer patients, easing chest pain and shortness of breath. Studies report that HDR brachytherapy is most effective in reducing symptoms when it is used after external beam radiation. However, HDR brachytherapy still has limited use because it has not been found to increase the life span in lung cancer patients.

Most Common Treatments for Lung Cancer From Asbestos

Treatment options for asbestos-related lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. 

“The most typical surgery for treating asbestos-related lung cancer is a lobectomy,” Sean Marchese, RN and oncology writer at The Mesothelioma Center explained. “That’s where a surgeon will go in and remove a section of the lung called a lobe that contains the largest amount of cancer.”

Aggressive treatments aim to remove or kill cancer cells to prevent the spread of cells and tumors. Palliative therapies help ease pain and other symptoms to improve quality of life.

What Is the Average Survival Rate for Asbestos Lung Cancer?

Median survival time of asbestos-related lung cancer is 2.92 years, according to a 2024 Korean study. About 18% of lung cancer patients survive more than 5 years after diagnosis, according to the American Lung Association. This is significantly lower than other leading cancers such as breast (89.6%) and prostate (98.2%). 

More than half of all lung cancer patients die within one year of being diagnosed. The prognosis for lung cancer depends on the type and subtype of the disease. It also depends on the patient’s overall health and how far the cancer has spread by the time of diagnosis (the stage of the cancer).

Asbestos Lung Cancer Legal Options

Patients and loved ones diagnosed with asbestos lung cancer may file an asbestos lung cancer lawsuit. Because this disease progresses quickly and its prognosis is poor, it’s important to seek legal action sooner rather than later. An experienced asbestos attorney can advise you and your family about your legal options.

Lawyers specializing in asbestos lung cancer have the experience and skills to secure the most compensation for your case. Compensation can cover medical bills, lost wages, travel costs associated with treatment and other expenses. If you file a claim and your case heads to trial, your attorney will try to win a verdict. Your attorney can also negotiate a favorable asbestos lung cancer settlement.

Our Patient Advocates can help you or your loved one get started, so you can focus on your treatment and spend time with your loved ones.

Common Questions About Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

What types of lung cancers does asbestos cause?

Asbestos exposure can cause any type of lung cancer. The two broad classifications of lung cancer are non-small cell and small cell, which are subcategorized by cell type. People with a smoking history are more susceptible to asbestos-related lung cancer. Asbestos is also the primary cause of pleural mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining around the lungs and is not considered lung cancer.

Does everyone exposed to asbestos get lung cancer?

Not every person exposed to asbestos will develop lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases. A person’s risk of illness will increase relative to their level of exposure to asbestos. Frequent and extended periods of concentrated asbestos exposure present the highest risk.

How do doctors link lung cancer to asbestos?

The Helsinki Criteria helps doctors determine if asbestos is the primary cause of lung cancer. Criteria involve evidence of asbestos exposure, such as a diagnosis of asbestosis, higher-than-normal levels of asbestos fibers in the lung tissue and heavy exposure history. The condition must have developed at least 10 years after the initial exposure to asbestos.

What is the difference between mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer?

All forms of lung cancer originate inside the lungs. Mesothelioma is also cancer, but it develops in the tissue that lines the outside of the lungs, chest cavity and abdomen. Asbestos exposure can cause both types of illness.

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