Key Takeaways
- Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the tissue lining of internal organs (lungs, heart, abdomen, or testicles). Asbestosis is a chronic, noncancerous lung disease that causes scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue. Both are caused by asbestos exposure.
- Mesothelioma has a latency period of 40 to 50 years and a survival period of roughly 4 to 18 months after diagnosis. Asbestosis has a latency period of 30 to 40 years, and while there is no cure, many patients live fulfilling lives for years after diagnosis.
- The symptoms are very similar — shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, weight loss — making misdiagnosis a real risk. One distinguishing symptom of asbestosis is finger clubbing (fingertips spreading out and becoming rounder), which is not typically associated with mesothelioma.
- Mesothelioma can develop in four locations (lungs, heart, abdomen, testicles), while asbestosis only affects the lungs.
- An asbestosis diagnosis increases the risk of developing mesothelioma, making ongoing monitoring essential for anyone diagnosed with asbestosis.
- Asbestosis is estimated to contribute to 12,000 to 15,000 American deaths per year, while mesothelioma accounts for approximately 3,000 new diagnoses per year in the U.S.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between mesothelioma and asbestosis?
The key difference is that mesothelioma is a cancer while asbestosis is a noncancerous lung disease. Both are caused by asbestos exposure, but they affect the body differently:
- Mesothelioma develops in the mesothelial tissue lining of internal organs — lungs, heart, abdomen, or testicles — and is aggressive with a short survival period
- Asbestosis causes scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue itself, making it difficult to breathe. It only affects the lungs and has a more variable prognosis — many patients live for years after diagnosis
Importantly, having asbestosis increases the risk of eventually developing mesothelioma.
Can you have both mesothelioma and asbestosis?
Yes. An asbestosis diagnosis increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. Both conditions are caused by asbestos exposure, and a patient who has already developed asbestosis has confirmed that their body has been significantly affected by asbestos fibers. This is why ongoing monitoring — including imaging and biomarker testing — is important for anyone diagnosed with asbestosis.
How are the symptoms different?
The symptoms are very similar, which makes misdiagnosis a real concern. Both can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, and fatigue. However, there are some differences:
- Mesothelioma-specific symptoms — weight loss, night sweats, fever, blood clotting problems, and pleural effusion (fluid buildup)
- Asbestosis-specific symptoms — finger clubbing (fingertips becoming wider and rounder), difficulty swallowing, and swelling
Because the overlap is so significant, accurate diagnosis requires imaging, blood tests, and often a biopsy to confirm which condition is present.
What is the latency period for each condition?
Both conditions take decades to develop after asbestos exposure:
- Mesothelioma — median latency period of 40 to 50 years
- Asbestosis — latency period of approximately 30 to 40 years
These long delays mean that people exposed to asbestos during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s may only now be developing symptoms of either condition.
What is finger clubbing and why is it important?
Finger clubbing is a condition where the fingertips spread out and become rounder than usual. It is a recognized symptom of asbestosis but is not typically associated with mesothelioma. This makes it one of the few physical indicators that can help doctors distinguish between the two conditions during initial evaluation. If a patient with known asbestos exposure presents with finger clubbing alongside respiratory symptoms, it may point toward asbestosis specifically.
Is there a cure for asbestosis?
No. There is currently no cure for asbestosis. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. Options include oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, medication, and in severe cases, lung transplant surgery. Many patients with mild asbestosis live fulfilling lives for years after diagnosis with appropriate medical management.
How are mesothelioma and asbestosis treated differently?
Because one is a cancer and the other is a chronic disease, treatment approaches differ significantly:
- Mesothelioma treatments — surgery (in early stages), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and clinical trials
- Asbestosis treatments — oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, medication to manage symptoms, and potentially lung transplant surgery
Mesothelioma treatment focuses on fighting the cancer itself, while asbestosis treatment focuses on preserving lung function and managing symptoms over time.
What should I do if I’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestosis?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or any other asbestos-related disease, understanding your treatment options and legal rights is an important first step. Both conditions are directly caused by asbestos exposure, and you may be entitled to compensation. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
