Asbestos-Related Diseases

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.

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.

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.

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Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma forms in the membranes covering body cavities. Tumors can appear on the lining of the lungs, stomach, heart or testes. Chest or abdominal pain and shortness of breath affect many patients. 

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer forms in a woman’s ovaries, the reproductive organs that make and release eggs. A 2023 systematic review found that asbestos exposure in women increased the risk of death due to ovarian cancer. 

Laryngeal Cancer

Laryngeal cancer develops in the larynx or “voice box.” A recent study of occupational risk factors for laryngeal cancer found that workers exposed to asbestos are 3.68 times as likely to develop this disease. 

Lung Cancer

Asbestos exposure can cause both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. Inhaled asbestos fibers can change specific genes in the body, eventually developing into asbestos-lung cancer over the course of 15 to 35 years.

Other Asbestos-Related Cancers

Asbestos exposure is a risk factor for bile duct and cancer in people without any other known risk factors. Other cancers possibly associated with asbestos exposure include esophageal cancer, gallbladder cancer, kidney cancer and throat cancer. Studies on asbestos and these cancers are inconsistent.

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. 

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.

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Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, leading to scarring and inflammation. Asbestosis is prevalent in insulating, shipyard work, pipefitting and asbestos manufacturing.

Pleural Effusions

Pleural effusions are a fluid buildup between pleural membrane layers, leading to shortness of breath. Effusions are often a symptom of late-stage mesothelioma or nonmesothelioma cancers.

Peritoneal Effusions

Peritoneal effusion (ascites) refers to excess fluid in the abdominal cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare cause. Effusions are more likely linked to benign conditions or other types of cancer.

Pericardial Effusions

Pericardial effusion is the collection of excess fluid between the membrane layers surrounding the heart (pericardium). It may be a sign of malignant asbestos disease such as pericardial mesothelioma.

Pleural Plaques

Pleural plaques are hardened calcium deposits that form on the pleura after asbestos exposure. These plaques are not considered a serious health issue, but they can make breathing painful if they are too thick.

Pleuritis

Pleuritis, also known as pleurisy, is inflammation of the pleura. Asbestos exposure creates inflamed surfaces that become rough and rub together, resulting in sharp chest or shoulder pain. Pleurisy may occur with pleural effusions.

Diffuse Pleural Thickening

Asbestos exposure can cause diffuse pleural thickening. The condition affects 8 centimeters to one-quarter of the pleura. Diffuse pleural thickening may decrease lung function, but it rarely leads to death.

Collapsed Lung

A collapsed lung is an uncommon asbestos-related condition. It can develop when air becomes trapped in the pleural space. The collapse may be partial (rounded atelectasis) or total (pneumothorax).

COPD

Asbestos exposure does not directly cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but it can raise the risk. COPD may weaken the lungs, making people more susceptible to other asbestos-related diseases.

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. 

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.

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