Asbestos Related Diseases

Mesothelioma
Info

Mesothelioma
Prognosis

Mesothelioma
Symptoms

Mesothelioma Settlement

Mesothelioma
Treatments

Lung Cancer:

Although smoking cigaretts can lead to cancer, it is not the sole cause of it. . Breathing in asbestos fibers can also cause lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer, however, is increased greatly if you no only smoke, but also worked with or came in contact with asbestos in some form or another. The combination of both risk factors not only increase the risk of lung cancer, but in fact multiplies it. Asbestos lung cancer if diagnosed late, can result in Asbestosis.

Asbestosis:

This lung condition is referred to as "diffuse pulmonay fibrosis", which results from inhaling asbestos fibers. This disease is progressive, inrreversible in nature, and typically leads to subsequent respiratory disablility. In most severe cases, asbestosis may lead to death from pulmonary hypertension and cardiac failure. This disease is categorized as an "environmental lung disease" or "occupational lung disease". Asbestos fibers, once inhaled, accumulate in the lung tissue, thus distinguishing it from other fibrotic diseases. Additionally, asbestos fibers have been found in small numbers beyond the lungs: such as the tonsils, thoracic and abdominal lymph nodes, pleura, peritoneum, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, liver, stomach, esophagus, small and large intestines.

Mesothelioma:

The term "Mesothelioma" is used to describe a cancerous tumor that involves the "mesothelial" cells of an organ, usually the lungs, heart or abdominal organs. There are two types of mesothelioma, pleural and peritoneal. The most common type is pleural mesothelioma, a very agresive form of lung cancer. The "pleura" is a thin membrane found between the lungs and the chest cavity, which serves as a lubricant to prevent the lungs from charing against the chest wall. Peritoneal mesothelioma, although less common than pleural mesothelioma, is more invasive and therefore results in a shorter life expectancy for the patient. Mesothelioma has also been found in other abdominal organs.