Asbestos Lung Cancer

Asbestos lung cancer is another serious illness with the same root cause as mesothelioma.  This rare form of lung cancer is also attributed to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that becomes toxic if it is damaged or disturbed. The various forms of the mineral fall into two main categories: serpentine asbestos and amphibole asbestos. Various sub-types within these categories have been mined and utilized for commercial purposes for more than a century. However, most developed nations, including the U.S., have passed major legislation restricting the mining or manufacturing of it  due to the potential dangers associated with asbestos exposure.

Despite the passage of laws to regulate its use, many individuals who have worked in manufacturing facilities, on construction sites, in shipyards, and in other occupations commonly associated with asbestos use have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other related diseases. There is a long latency period associated with mesothelioma that may leave some patients asymptomatic for decades, which some attribute to the increase in recent diagnoses. Symptoms of the disease may include chest pain, respiratory complications, swelling, fatigue, weight loss, and other issues that are also indicative of a range of unrelated health problems. This may also make it more difficult to properly diagnose the disease in a timely manner, or without a thorough patient work or residential history.

Asbestos lung cancer is similar to lung cancer found in individuals who have not been exposed to asbestos in terms of signs and symptoms of the disease. The disease may be trated with surgery, radiation and/or  chemotherapies, with variable response rates depending on the progression and location of the disease. Unlike some other  forms of non-asbestos lung cancer, smoking does not directly cause asbestos lung cancer, but it greatly  increases the risk of  for individuals who have been exposed to the toxic fibers.

Resources such as the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society are recommended sources to turn to for more detailed information about the various types of lung cancer, including data on lung cancer survival rates, symptoms of lung cancer, lung cancer stages, lung cancer causes, treatments, and other related matters. Some may also have available lung cancer pictures for those seeking information on the physical aspects of the disease.