The development of mesothelioma cancer is most common in the pleura lung linings. However, mesothelioma may also develop in the abdomen, heart or testes.
The location of the affected tissues determines mesothelioma type. Asbestos exposure can also lead to lung cancer.
Asbestos lung cancer develops within the lungs after asbestos fibers are inhaled and become lodged in the lung tissue. The fibers then can cause irritation, genetic mutation and the growth of malignant cells. The development of asbestos-related lung cancer can take years. As a result, asbestos victims may not recognize symptoms for more than a decade after initial exposure.
Research has found long-term asbestos exposure increases the likelihood of developing asbestos-related lung cancer. However, there are several other risk factors, such as smoking. Asbestos exposure can lead to ovarian cancer. Asbestos-related ovarian cancer is caused when asbestos fibers travel through the body to the ovaries. There are two main ways asbestos can reach the ovaries:. The IARC recognized asbestos as a proven cause of ovarian cancer in New studies continue to support this finding.
Asbestos exposure can lead to laryngeal cancer cancer of the voice box. Asbestos-related laryngeal cancer is caused by inhaling asbestos. Fibers must travel through the larynx before reaching the lungs.
As a result, fibers can embed in the tissues of the voice box. This can then lead to the development of malignant cells. The link between laryngeal cancer and asbestos was previously unknown. Many additional studies have since supported asbestos as a cause. Asbestos exposure can cause other serious conditions, such as asbestosis.
Some studies have found possible correlations between asbestos and other cancers, including:. Patients may be diagnosed only with a benign asbestos disease. However, a benign condition could also be associated with a malignant condition. For example, pleural effusion is a symptom of pleural mesothelioma. Studies have found several factors that increase the risk of developing asbestos cancer after exposure.
These risk factors include:. People can come in contact with asbestos through using products that contain asbestos, their occupational tasks or close contact with another person who was exposed to asbestos. Although no level of exposure is safe, long-term exposure increases the risk of asbestos cancer. Individuals who know they have been exposed to asbestos should inform their doctor as soon as possible. Frequent monitoring can help increase the likelihood of early detection.
If asbestos cancers are detected in the early stages, patients may be able to improve their prognosis with aggressive treatments. Patients should seek medical care as soon as they recognize symptoms of cancer related to asbestos.
They should also disclose any known history of asbestos exposure. Asbestos-related cancers are typically treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Experimental treatments may also be an option for patients. Treatment plans will vary on a case-by-case basis. Personalized treatment plans will consider multiple factors, including cancer type, stage, overall health, age and other patient characteristics.
Patients should seek care from a specialist to ensure they receive an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. For example, mesothelioma specialists have a deep understanding of what treatment options work best for different types of mesothelioma.
High-risk industries and asbestos Almost everyone has been exposed to asbestos in small degrees, but people working in certain jobs are at greater risk than others, such as: people working in asbestos mining people working in asbestos manufacturing people working in building demolition if the buildings contain asbestos motor technicians electricians plumbers fitters and turners painters and decorators engineers carpenters merchant seamen.
Asbestos and lung cancer Exposure to asbestos is a cause of lung cancer. In the Global Burden of Disease study reported the following deaths in Australia from asbestos-related causes: deaths from mesothelioma 3, deaths from asbestos-related lung cancer deaths from asbestos-related ovarian cancer 48 deaths from laryngeal cancer deaths from asbestosis. Asbestos and mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare but fast-spreading cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include: shortness of breath persistent dry, painful cough pain in the centre of the chest or pain in the shoulder or upper arm continual bouts of pneumonia and pleurisy weight loss night sweats.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include: painful or swollen abdomen high temperature nausea, vomiting and poor appetite bowel and urinary problems. Diagnosing lung cancer or mesothelioma There are a number of tests to check for lung cancer or mesothelioma, including: x-rays — either standard x-rays or CT scans, which give a three-dimensional picture of your chest sputum cytology test — an examination of your sputum phlegm , as cancer cells are sometimes coughed up biopsy — a small sample of lung cells removed with special instruments, under local or general anaesthetic other tests — such as bone, liver or brain scans and blood tests, to see if the cancer cells have spread to other parts of your body.
Treatment of lung cancer and mesothelioma As lung cancer and mesothelioma are often diagnosed in their later stages, it can be difficult to treat them. Treatment may include: surgery — to remove the tumours radiotherapy — the use of x-rays to kill cancer cells chemotherapy — anti-cancer medication that kills cancer cells immunotherapy — using parts of your own immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells palliative care. Other illnesses linked to asbestos As well as cancer, some asbestos-linked non-cancerous conditions include: asbestosis — scar tissue forms inside the lungs and makes breathing difficult pleural plaque — asbestos fibres can cause thickened patches of scar tissue on the pleura, or lung lining.
Compensation claims for cancer linked to asbestos A person who develops lung disease after exposure to asbestos may be entitled to seek compensation. Mesothelioma , , Cancer Council Victoria, Australia. Medical information , Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia. Cancer in Victoria, statistics and trends , Cancer Council Victoria. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful?
Yes No. View all cancer. Related information. Support groups Asbestos Council of Victoria. Cancer Council Victoria. From other websites Asbestos Council of Victoria. Mayo Clinic. Cancer Council - information in other languages. There is disagreement among experts regarding whether plaques directly lead to cancer or are simply a marker of previous asbestos exposure, with the exposure as the true cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers cause inflammation of the pleura, known as pleuritis, pleurisy or pleuritic chest pain. The inflamed surfaces become rough and rub against each other, causing sharp pain in the chest or shoulder.
The pain is often worse when the patient is breathing, coughing or moving. Pleurisy may be accompanied by pleural effusions. Asbestos exposure can cause diffuse pleural thickening , which results from lesions forming on the pleural lining. Depending on the diagnostic standard being used, diffuse pleural thickening is diagnosed when between 8 centimeters and one-quarter of the pleura are affected.
This condition may decrease lung function. In rare cases, it becomes severe enough to prevent adequate airflow to the lungs, contributing to death. Atelactasis is an underinflation of the lungs upon inhalation.
Atelectasis, or partial collapse of the lung, may be secondary to multiple other causes. By itself, it is rarely associated with asbestos exposure. However, in rare instances, it is an asbestos-associated disorder and may be called asbestos psuedotumor or Blesovsky syndrome. It is an uncommon asbestos-related condition and may accompany pleural thickening. Although it is benign, atelectasis may look like cancer on an imaging scan. COPD may weaken the lungs, making a person more susceptible to additional asbestos-related diseases.
In some cases, patients may develop benign COPD-type illnesses and malignant cancers. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should participate in regular screenings for the rest of their life to ensure timely diagnosis of all pulmonary and asbestos-related conditions. Thank you for your feedback. Would you like to speak with a Patient Advocate? 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.
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