Asbestos-Related Diseases

Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of fibrous minerals. Asbestos does not conduct electricity and is resistant to heat, fire and chemicals. Because it has these properties, it was once widely used in many consumer products and building materials.

Most new uses of asbestos were banned in the late 1970s over health concerns. However, there is no comprehensive asbestos ban in the United States.

Asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, releasing fibers into the air. When people breathe in these fibers, they can accumulate in the lungs, causing scarring and inflammation that can lead to asbestos-related diseases. People at the highest risk for exposure are those who work around asbestos. Workplace exposure can happen when people repair, renovate or maintain buildings that contain asbestos or when they remove asbestos or asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos has been classified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a known human carcinogen.

Three main diseases are linked with exposure to asbestos: Mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The symptoms of these three asbestos-related diseases can take years to develop and can be difficult to identify and diagnose. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should be aware of these medical conditions, how they form and how to recognize them.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer. It begins as a growth of cells in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that covers many of the body’s internal organs. Exposure to asbestos is the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma. There are several types of mesothelioma, including various cell types.

Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because it has a long latency period. A latency period is the time from initial exposure (asbestos, in this case) to when the disease develops and symptoms appear. For mesothelioma patients, latency periods can be anywhere from 10 to 50 years.

Motley Rice’s mesothelioma lawsuit lawyers primarily focus on representing individuals diagnosed with one of four location-specific forms of malignant mesothelioma (i.e., cancerous mesothelioma).

Pleural mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissue surrounding the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for around 80% of the approximately 3,300 new mesothelioma cases diagnosed annually.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma cancer include:

• Buildup of fluid in the chest, known as pleural effusions
• Chest pain
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Lower back pain
• Lumps under the skin on the chest
• Night sweats
• Persistent or painful coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen arms and face
• Unintentional weight loss

If you experience symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, consult a doctor. If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with the condition following asbestos exposure, a Motley Rice pleural mesothelioma lawyer can discuss your legal options.

Peritoneal mesothelioma

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the membrane lining the abdomen and surrounding the abdominal organs. It is the second most common type of mesothelioma.

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Belly pain
• Constipation or bowel obstruction
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Fluid buildup in the abdomen (peritoneal effusions)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Night sweats
• Painful mass in the pelvic area
• Swelling or bulging in the abdomen
• Unintended weight loss
• Vomiting

If you experience these symptoms, consult a physician. Our peritoneal mesothelioma lawyer can discuss options for seeking compensation if you are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma after contact with asbestos.

Pericardial mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is less common. This type of cancer affects the tissue around the heart. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include trouble breathing and chest pains.

Pericardial mesothelioma causes include asbestos exposure. A Motley Rice pericardial mesothelioma attorney can discuss legal actions you may take if you were diagnosed with this condition after contact with asbestos products.

Testicular mesothelioma

Mesothelioma testicular cancer is also called paratesticular mesothelioma or mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis. It is an extremely rare cancer that affects the lining around the testicles. Testicular mesothelioma symptoms may first appear as swelling or a mass on the testicles.

As with all forms of mesothelioma, testicular mesothelioma causes include asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-related lung cancer

Asbestos-related lung cancer affects the lung tissue itself. Mesothelioma causes tumors in the lung’s linings (pleura). Lung cancer is a growth of cells in the lung tissue inside the lungs. However, the risk of developing both conditions is tied to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos exposure is linked to several disorders affecting the lungs, including pleural diseases and pleural plaques (changes in the membranes surrounding the lung). Though not necessarily a precursor to the condition, 2024 studies have associated pleural diseases with a higher risk of lung cancer.

Symptoms of lung cancer include:

• Bone pain
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood, even small amounts
• Headache
• Hoarseness
• Loss of appetite
• Persistent coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the face or neck
• Unintended weight loss
• Wheezing

See a doctor immediately if you have any of the signs or symptoms of lung cancer.

Motley Rice’s asbestos lawyers help individuals diagnosed with lung cancer related to asbestos. We can speak with you about an asbestos lawsuit if you have lung cancer or you've lost a loved one to the disease.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos dust and fibers. Asbestosis causes pulmonary fibrosis, or the scarring of the lungs. The condition can also cause pleural plaques and other nonmalignant lung disorders, including pleural thickening and benign pleural effusions.

Asbestosis symptoms include:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Dry and crackling sounds in the lungs when you inhale
• Fingertips and toes that appear wider and rounder than usual (clubbing)
• Persistent, dry cough
• Shortness of breath

Asbestosis is also linked to the following conditions:

• Lung cancer: Asbestosis increases the risk of developing lung cancer related to asbestos.
• Mesothelioma: Asbestosis is linked to the development of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.
• Respiratory failure: Asbestosis can prevent the lungs from properly oxygenating the blood, leading to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the tissues and respiratory failure.
• Right-sided heart failure: Asbestosis is associated with this condition, which occurs when the right side of the heart stops working correctly.

If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis, Motley Rice’s asbestosis lawyers can discuss your options for seeking asbestosis compensation.

Treatment for asbestos health risks varies depending on the type of asbestos-related disease you have. Treatments also vary based on the severity of the disease or the stage your cancer is in. To diagnose your condition, doctors may use chest X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and biopsies.

Treatments for pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and lung cancer

Treatment options for lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma are similar and may include:

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery to shrink tumors or kill cancer cells. To treat peritoneal mesothelioma, chemotherapy medications may be heated and administered directly into the abdominal cavity. This procedure is called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy medications help the body’s immune system kill cancer cells. For mesothelioma and lung cancer, immunotherapy may be used after surgery or when surgery is not an option.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams from X-rays, protons and other sources to shrink and kill cancer cells. Radiation is often used in combination with chemotherapy.
• Surgery: Surgery can be used to reduce fluid buildup and prevent it from returning in patients with pleural mesothelioma. Other surgeries may remove tissue around the lungs (called a pleurectomy) or remove a lung and the tissue surrounding it. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma can remove as much of the cancer as possible in the abdomen and tissue lining. Surgery for lung cancer may remove a section of the lung, the lobe of the lung or the entire lung.
• Targeted therapy: Targeted therapies for lung cancer and mesothelioma use medications to attack specific chemicals in cancer cells, causing the cancer cells to die.

Patients may be able to seek treatment at mesothelioma cancer centers, VA health centers or through clinical trials. Patients may be eligible for clinical trials as new treatments for mesothelioma and lung cancer become available.

Treatments for testicular mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma

Testicular mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma treatments are like those for lung cancer and other types of mesothelioma. But these forms of mesothelioma are very rare. A surgeon can operate to remove these types of cancer cells, but if the cells have spread (metastasized) throughout the body, there are very few options. Treatments for metastasized testicular and pericardial mesothelioma focus on improving the patient’s quality of life.

Treatments for asbestosis

Treatments for asbestosis include:

• Lung transplant surgery: A lung transplant can replace a damaged lung with a new, healthy lung, but these surgeries are not common.
• Medication: Anti-fibrotic medications can slow down the rate of lung scarring.
• Oxygen therapy: Receiving extra oxygen through a mask or tube can make breathing easier for asbestosis patients.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation: Exercise and lifestyle changes can help some people with asbestosis improve their quality of life.

It is important to note that no medical treatments can reverse the lung damage caused by asbestos. Most interventions focus on slowing the progression of asbestos-related diseases or relieving symptoms, not on cures.

Relative survival rates are calculated by taking the number of people with a medical condition and comparing their rate of death to the rate of death of the overall population over a given period, usually five years. So, for example, if a disease has a survival rate of 30%, it means that people who have the disease are 30% as likely as people who do not have the condition to live for five years after receiving a diagnosis.

Life expectancy is the average number of years a person is expected to live after being diagnosed with a specific condition.

These statistics are not absolutes. Survival rates and life expectancies can vary depending on your age and overall health, the type of disease you have, the stage of your condition when diagnosed and your access to medical treatments.

The estimated five-year survival rates and average life expectancies for asbestos-related diseases are as follows:

• Asbestosis: The life expectancy for people diagnosed with asbestosis is about 10 years. This expectancy can change depending on the severity of the disease and how fast it progresses.
• Lung cancer survival rate: The relative five-year survival rate for all types of lung cancer, diagnosed at any stage, is 22.9%. However, this rate can vary significantly depending on how much the cancer has spread (metastasized) and what types of treatment a patient is eligible for.
• Pericardial mesothelioma survival rate: The pericardial mesothelioma life expectancy is around six months. Once this cancer spreads (metastasizes) through the body, treatments focus on improving the patient’s quality of life.
• Peritoneal mesothelioma survival rate: Survival rates for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma are better with treatment. Without treatment, patients typically live from six months to one year.
• Pleural mesothelioma survival rate: The pleural mesothelioma life expectancy for most patients is around one to four years after diagnosis. Without treatment, the life expectancy is around six months. The survival rate for pleural mesothelioma can vary depending on the stage of diagnosis.
  • For localized mesothelioma (cancer is limited to the pleura), the survival rate is 23%.
  • For regional mesothelioma (cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or bodily structures), the rate is 15%.
  • For distant mesothelioma (cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the liver or bones), the survival rate is 11%.
• Testicular mesothelioma survival rate: The five-year overall survival rate for testicular mesothelioma is 49%. This survival rate decreases for larger testicular tumors.

What are asbestos-related diseases?

The three main asbestos-related diseases are:

• Asbestosis: Asbestosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos. There is no cure for the condition, which can cause coughing, chest pain and fatigue.
• Lung cancer: Asbestos exposure increases the risk for developing lung cancer. Lung cancer is deadly and can cause chest pain, bone pain, shortness of breath and loss of appetite.
• Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a condition that includes four of the major categories of asbestos-related diseases: Pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma. Each of these diseases involves the development of tumors in the tissue linings in various parts of the body. All types of mesothelioma are severe and can be fatal.

Other diseases are associated with asbestos exposure. The list of asbestos-related diseases includes:

• Cancer of the larynx (voice box)
• Cancer of the pharynx (throat)
• Colorectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Stomach cancer

What is asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a lung scarring condition caused by breathing in asbestos dust and fibers. The disease causes irreversible lung scarring and is not curable, though medical treatment can help to slow its progression and manage symptoms.

Symptoms of asbestosis include:

• Chest pain
• Clubbing of the fingernails and toenails
• Coughing
• Crackling sounds in the lungs
• Fatigue
• Unintended weight loss

How long do asbestos-related diseases take to develop?

Though the timeline is different for every patient, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases often do not develop for years or decades after exposure to asbestos.

It can take 10 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop after being exposed to asbestos. Symptoms of asbestosis may not appear for 20 to 30 years or more after contact with asbestos. Most cases of asbestos-related lung cancer develop at least a decade after the initial asbestos exposure.

Those most at-risk for developing an asbestos-related disease are people who work in occupations that expose them to asbestos, including asbestos miners, installers and removers, construction workers and electrical workers. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has set standards aimed at preventing asbestos-related diseases in the workplace.

Can I file an asbestosis lawsuit?

You may be able to file an asbestosis lawsuit if you have been diagnosed with asbestosis after exposure to asbestos. You may also be able to file an asbestos lawsuit if you have been diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, or if your loved one died from an asbestos-related health condition.

You can prove your eligibility for an asbestos lawsuit using medical documentation and records confirming a history of asbestos exposure. A Motley Rice attorney can help you determine if you qualify. You must take legal action before the statute of limitations in your state expires.

For decades, Motley Rice attorneys have been at the forefront of asbestos litigation. Our law firm has a track record of holding companies accountable for personal injuries and wrongful deaths caused by asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases. Our asbestos lawsuit experience includes:

• Asbestos in Canada
• Asbestos and the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)
• Household Asbestos Exposure
• Johns-Manville
• MARDOC
• Talcum powder
• Travelers Co.

If you or someone you love has an asbestos-related disease, contact a Motley Rice asbestos lawyer to discuss your legal options. Fill out our online form or call 1.800.768.4026.

Read more on our asbestos exposure litigation experience.