Asbestos Lung Cancer

Throughout the past century, asbestos has been used in thousands of products across America. Unfortunately, because of its widespread use, millions of Americans have experienced medical complications as a result of inhaling the mineral’s deadly fibers. Research has conclusively proven that asbestos leads to a number of diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. This section will focus on the various types of lung cancers caused by asbestos exposure.

Lung Cancer

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more people die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. In 2006, 196,500 Americans were diagnosed with lung cancer and 158,600 people died from the disease.¹

While asbestos is not usually the exclusive cause of traditional lung cancer, it often works together with cigarette smoke to increase the risk of lung cancer.  In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, adding asbestos exposure to smoking produces a “synergistic” effect that increases the risk of lung cancer much more than the individual risks from smoking and asbestos added together.² According to Dr. Lawrence Martin, a pulmonary physician with experience in diagnosing asbestos-related lung diseases, almost all lung cancer patients with asbestos exposure have a strong smoking history.³

There are two main types of lung cancer. Asbestos can contribute to both types:

Small cell lung cancer
Small cell cancer is by far the more deadly of the two types of lung cancers; however, this disease comprises only about 20 percent of all lung cancer cases.⁴ Small cell lung cancer is recognized by its tiny “oat” cells that quickly spread across the lung. This is the type of cancer most closely associated with smoking.

Non-small cell lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer can be further divided into three types: adenocarcinomas cells that are located in the outer area of the lung, squamous cell carcinomas which are usually in the center of the lung by the bronchus and large cell carcinomas, which spread faster than the other two types.

Pleural Mesothelioma
While mesothelioma is much rarer than traditional lung cancer, it is also the disease most closely linked to asbestos exposure. In fact, doctors believe asbestos is the only cause of this disease. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled and get lodged in the lung’s lining or the “pleura”. These fibers can eventually cause small cancerous tumors that spread across the pleura, causing fluid to collect around the lung.

Learn more about mesothelioma symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Asbestos Lung Cancer Symptoms

Because asbestos-related diseases share many symptoms with more common lung diseases, it is important to talk to your doctor about your history with asbestos when talking to him about any lung problems you’re having. Symptoms of asbestos lung cancer can include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Uncontrollable coughing
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
  

If you’ve developed lung cancer as a result of asbestos exposure, you have the right to receive compensation from the party that exposed you to asbestos in the first place. Learn more about filing an asbestos lung cancer lawsuit.

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