The similarities between mesothelioma and asbestosis are almost identical. The difference lies in the place of origin within the body as well as the diagnosis. Asbestos exposure is recognized to be the sole proprietor of each and unfortunately causes a great deal of side effects. Symptoms, latency period, prognosis, and treatment will be further described for mesothelioma and asbestosis.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a “mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil”. There are many types of asbestos ranging in color and texture. This variety includes “tremolite asbestos, actinolite asbestos, anthophyllite asbestos, chrysotile asbestos, amosite asbestos, and crocidolite asbestos” (“Types of Asbestos – Chrysotile Asbestos, Tremolite Asbestos”). Due to its heat-resistant properties, it was commonly used for insulation in buildings, shipyards, and flooring tiles.
Who is at Risk for Asbestos Exposure?
The risks of asbestos exposure are caused when the mineral is broken down or damaged. A few activities of exposure include “product use, demolition work, building or home maintenance, repair, and remodeling” (“Learn about Asbestos | US EPA”). Given the range of activity where asbestos can be found as well as the products it can be found in including “building materials…friction products (automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts), heat-resistant fabrics, packaging…” (“Learn about Asbestos | US EPA”), puts many workers from the Industrial Revolution at risk. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry explains some of the workers who have been at risk of asbestos exposure as:
- Pipefitters
- U.S. navy personnel
- Ironworkers
- Carpenters
While it is explained by the Cleveland Clinic that “Everyone is exposed to asbestos at some point in their life”, it is often harmless unless inhaled for great periods and in large amounts frequently. The positions above are recognized as occupational exposure but different types of exposure can occur such as secondary and environmental exposure.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a rare “cancer that forms in the thin tissue that lines many of your internal organs. This thin tissue is called the mesothelium”. Roughly 3000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States but in “2020, an estimated 26,278 people died from mesothelioma worldwide” (“Mesothelioma – Statistics”). Four different types of organs can be affected by mesothelioma including:
- Pleural Mesothelioma (mesothelial tissue lining of the lungs)
- Pericardial Mesothelioma (mesothelial tissue lining of the heart)
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma (mesothelial tissue lining of the abdomen)
- Testicular Mesothelioma (mesothelial tissue lining of the testicles)
Pleural mesothelioma makes up “75% to 80%” of all mesotheliomas, peritoneal makes up roughly “8%” and the rarer forms occur in the heart and testicles (“Mesothelioma – Introduction”).
Mesothelioma Symptoms & Latency Period
Symptoms will begin to show up long after exposure. The median latency period for mesothelioma is “40-50” years which makes it extremely difficult to have preventative care after exposure (Reid et al.). The symptoms range regarding the type of diagnosis Cancer.Net explains common symptoms across all types can include:
However, mesothelioma is often associated with the lungs given the vast majority of pleural mesothelioma makes up out of all diagnoses. The symptoms of this include shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing (Mesothelioma).
Mesothelioma Prognosis & Treatment
The prognosis of mesothelioma varies on the stage of the cancer and whether it has spread to nodes and local or distant organs. After diagnosis, there is a short survival period of roughly “4 to 18 months” and the “five-year survival rate for the disease is just 10 percent” (“Mesothelioma Prognosis and Factors | Penn Medicine”). Additionally, the treatments vary on the location of mesothelioma but include surgery in the earlier stages, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, which is the most common treatment (“Mesothelioma – Types of Treatment”).
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is recognized by the Cleveland Clinic as a type of lung disease” that causes “fibrosis (scarring) of your lungs which makes it hard to breathe”. Factors that can affect an asbestosis diagnosis can include the duration of exposure, levels of exposure, genetics, and overall health (Clinic). Unfortunately, asbestosis is recognized to kill “12,000 to 15,000 Americans a year” (Nation). Additionally, there is no cure for the disease.
Asbestosis Symptoms & Latency Period
The latency period of asbestosis is roughly “30-40 years” which makes it difficult to diagnose before symptoms begin (Clinic). The symptoms include:
Another common symptom of asbestosis that is not found among patients with mesothelioma is the clubbing of fingers. The Mayo Clinic explains this symptom as “the fingertips spread out and become rounder than usual” (“A Chronic Lung Disease Caused by Inhaling Asbestos Fibers-Asbestosis – Symptoms & Causes – Mayo Clinic”). This disease is also recognized to be “difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms are similar to those of many other types of respiratory diseases” as described by the Mayo Clinic.
Asbestosis Prognosis & Treatment
Asbestosis diagnosis also increases the risk of mesothelioma. However, it is recognized by the Cleveland Clinic that “Many people with mild asbestosis live fulfilling lives for many years after being diagnosed”. This trajectory is positive compared to a mesothelioma diagnosis but if the symptoms worsen, patients may require “medical treatment for the rest of their lives” (Clinic). The current treatments for asbestosis can include “oxygen therapy, Pulmonary rehabilitation, lung transplant surgery, and medication” (Clinic).
Difference between Mesothelioma and Asbestosis
Although both diagnoses are commonly caused by asbestos exposure and they hold similar symptoms such as difficulty breathing and coughing, it can be dangerous to misdiagnose the two. Mesothelioma is a cancer whilst asbestosis is a disease. In addition to this mesothelioma can occur in the lungs, heart, abdomen, and testicles but asbestosis can only occur in the lungs.
If you or someone you know has been affected by asbestos exposure or mesothelioma in the state of Pennsylvania, please fill out this form for a free consultation or call 1 (800) 505-6000 for legal help.
Sources:
“A Chronic Lung Disease Caused by Inhaling Asbestos Fibers-Asbestosis – Symptoms & Causes – Mayo Clinic.” Mayo Clinic, 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asbestosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354637. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
Clinic, Cleveland. “Asbestosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 2024, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22245-asbestosis. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
“Learn about Asbestos | US EPA.” US EPA, 5 Mar. 2013, https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/learn-about-asbestos. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
Mesothelioma. 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/mesothelioma/index.htm. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
“Mesothelioma – Introduction.” Cancer.net, 26 June 2012, https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/mesothelioma/introduction. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
“Mesothelioma Prognosis and Factors | Penn Medicine.” Penn Medicine – Abramson Cancer Center, 2024, https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/types-of-cancer/mesothelioma/prognosis#:~:text=Mesothelioma%20Survival%20Rate%3A%20The%20mesothelioma,disease%20is%20just%2010%20percent. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
“Mesothelioma – Statistics.” Cancer.net, 26 June 2012, https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/mesothelioma/statistics. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
“Mesothelioma – Symptoms and Signs.” Cancer.net, 26 June 2012, https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/mesothelioma/symptoms-and-signs. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
Nation, Asbestos. “Asbestos Kills 12,000-15,000 People per Year in the U.S | Asbestos Nation – EWG Action Fund.” Asbestosnation.org, 2015, https://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-kills-12000-15000-people-per-year-in-the-u-s/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
“Mesothelioma – Types of Treatment.” Cancer.net, 26 June 2012, https:/www.cancer.net/cancer-types/mesothelioma/types-treatment. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
Reid, Alison, et al. “Mesothelioma Risk after 40 Years since First Exposure to Asbestos: A Pooled Analysis.” Thorax, vol. 69, no. 9, BMJ, May 2014, pp. 843–50, https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-204161. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
“Types of Asbestos – Chrysotile Asbestos, Tremolite Asbestos.” Mesorfa.org, 2024, https://mesorfa.org/exposure/asbestos-types.php. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
