Asbestos Cancer and Asbestos Disease
chest xray
Asbestos disease is caused when asbestos is airborne and the tiny fibers are inhaled into the lungs which cause adverse medical conditions. Once embedded into the soft tissue, the asbestos fibers cause scarring and irritation to the exposure area causing asbestos cancer (mesothelioma) or other medical conditions such as asbestosis.
Irritation caused by extended exposure to asbestos particles can result in a number of medical conditions including:
- Tumors
- Lung cancer
- Pleural plaques
- Asbestosis
- Asbestos warts
- Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of asbestos disease that occurs when malignant cells attack the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a protective lining that covers the lungs, heart, and abdomen. Mesothelioma can take 20-50 years to develop and often times, the early signs are mistaken for other medical conditions or over looked altogether. Asbestos cancer is almost exclusively caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. Sometimes it can be due to a large dose of the mineral over a short period of time. In other cultures not where asbestos exposure does not occur, asbestos cancer and other asbestos related diseases are almost non-existent.
Tags: Asbestos Cancer, asbestos disease