Asbestosis and Mesothelioma

Asbestos are microscopic fibers; they enter imperceptibly into the lungs, and can remain there asymptomatically for years. Once in the lungs, asbestos causes a progressive hardening and thickening of the lung tissue, making it difficult for the victims to breathe. The inhalation and accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lungs can lead to development of asbestosis or mesothelioma. Complications of asbestosis, in return, can result in mesothelioma.   

The only cause of both mesothelioma and asbestosis is asbestos exposure. Cigarette smoke, viral and bacterial infections cannot lead to their development. However, although they are both resulted from inhalation of asbestos fibers, mesothelioma and asbestosis are two different diseases.  

Mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer, is a cancerous tumor that originates in the mesothelium, a protective membrane that recovers the lining of several body cavities mainly the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma), and pericardium (pericardial mesothelioma).  

Asbestosis, in the other hand, is a non cancerous disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the tissue of the lungs. Asbestosis symptoms can range from mild to severe. Over time, however, the disease tends to causes a permanent shortness of breath or/and respiratory failure. In addition, the patient may develop other diseases such as chronic bronchitis, immunological abnormalities, or heart failure. People suffering from asbestosis develop twice as often malignant lung tumors. Despite advances in medical science, there is no effective way to stop or reverse symptoms of asbestosis.  

Symptoms of both asbestosis and mesothelioma are often pertinent and serious; they require strict medical treatment, which often brings no relief. There are major differences in the treatment of asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestosis treatment aims at preventing progression of the disease and relieving symptoms in order to improve the life of the patient. Mesothelioma, however, can be treated with surgical therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A mesothelioma diagnosed early can be treated effectively with surgical therapy. In this case, the surgery aims at removing cancerous tissue in the lungs.