Exposure to asbestos can be the cause of two major disease types. The disease types are benign or malignant. Even the diseases that are considered benign, which means it does not cause cancer, the diseases can still be life-threatening.
The malignant diseases that are related to asbestos impact those that have ingested or inhaled large amounts of asbestos for long periods of time. This group has the highest risk of developing cancer that is related to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that forms in the membranes of the body. These tumors can be in the lining of the lungs, which is called pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is cancer in the lining of the stomach. Testicular mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the testicles, and pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the heart. The prognosis of this cancer is poor as most people do not live a full year after they have been diagnosed.
Lung cancer can occur as a result of asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure only causes a small percentage of lung cancers. It is one of the most fatal malignant cancers as a result of asbestos. Smokers that have been exposed to asbestos have a large increased risk of non-small cell or small cell lung cancer.
Ovarian cancer has been shown linked to exposure to asbestos. The fibers of asbestos have been found in the ovaries of women that have been exposed to asbestos. The fibers may also reach other organs by way of the bloodstream, lymph system, or reproductive tract.
There has been a link between laryngeal cancer and exposure to asbestos. Heavy alcohol use and smoking have been shown to cause an increased risk for laryngeal cancer.
Asbestosis is an interstitial lung disease (ILD) that is chronic and has been caused by exposure to the fibers of asbestos. This lunch disease is not cancerous, but it can still be deadly. Asbestosis can scar and inflame the lungs. When you suffer from asbestosis, you are not able to relax and expand your lungs the way someone typically can. This leads to feelings of tightness in your chest and shortness of breath. There are some other contributors to ILD that include coal dust, cotton dust, silica dust, and the dust of hard metal. Diseases like sarcoidosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and blood disorders can also be contributors to ILD. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos exposure-related disease, you should contact mesothelioma lawyers today.