Home > Our Official Blog > What Kind of Cancers Can Asbestos Exposure Cause?
By Treven Pyles
Posted on September 28th, 2016
If you have a history of asbestos exposure, you need to watch out for signs and symptoms of cancer. Around 20% of those who were exposed to asbestos will develop a related disease in the future and, in most cases, the disease will affect the lungs.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published in 2012 that exposure to asbestos can lead to deadly conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural thickening and several other types of cancers. The growth of abnormal cells usually occurs when healthy cells become damaged after being exposed to a carcinogen.
Types of Asbestos Caused Cancers that Are Eligible for Compensation
Mesothelioma is cancer that is exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. About 75% of mesothelioma cancers affect the lining of the lung (pleural mesothelioma), whereas 20% of mesotheliomas develop in the abdominal lining (peritoneal mesothelioma). Rarely, mesothelioma does occur in the lining of the heart and testes.
Asbestos-related cancers are caused by the inhalation and/or ingestion of asbestos fibers that often get lodged in lung tissues. Over the years, these fibers get accumulated as our body will not be able to expel or dissolve the asbestos material. These fibers also migrate to other organs and tissues throughout the body. This is the reason why scientists began to study the connection between asbestos and other types of cancer.
Eligible asbestos caused diseases. You have 3 years to file for a claim. Contact us right away.
Average cost of surgery
$15,000
Average cost of chemotherapy
$9,360
Asbestos Lung Cancer Early Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
Average cost of surgery
$37,450
Average cost of chemotherapy
$30,592
Peural mesothelioma symptoms
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Jaundice
- Fever
Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Palpitations
- Cough
- Fever
- Fatigue
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms
- Fluid buildup in the abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
Testicular mesothelioma symptoms
- Pain and/or swelling of the testicles
- Hydrocele
Average cost of surgery
$42,450
Asbestos Early Symptoms
- Chest pains
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Persistent dry coughing
- Finger clubbing
Average cost of surgery
$30,138
Average cost of chemotherapy
$25,000
Esophageal Cancer Early Symptoms
- Chest pains
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weight loss
- Hoarseness
- Cough
Average cost of radiation therapy
$11,100
Average cost of chemotherapy
$12,000
Throat Cancer Early Symptoms
- A lump in the neck
- Pain or difficulty while swallowing
- Hoarseness of voice
- Ear pain
- A sore throat that does not resolve
- Wheezing and persistent cough
- Unintentional weight loss
- Nasal congestion and bleeding
- Facial pain
- Tinnitus and hearing changes
Average cost of surgery
$31,865
Average cost of chemotherapy
$42,450
Gastrointestinal Cancer Early Symptoms
- Abdominal discomfort/pain
- Nausea, vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Average cost of surgery
$31,738
Average cost of chemotherapy
$45,997
Colon Cancer Early Symptoms
- Change in bowel habits
- Rectal bleeding
- Abdominal discomfort
- Pain
Average cost of surgery
$22,435
Pulmonary Fibrosis Early Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Dry cough
- Shallow breathing
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Joints and muscle pain
- Clubbing
Pleural plaques do not require treatment.
Pleural Plaques Early Symptoms
- Pleural plaques rarely cause perceivable symptoms. However, some people may experience shortness of breath.
Pleural thickening is irreversible, some treatment might consist in bronchodilators.
Diffuse Pleural Thickening Early Symptoms
- chest tightness
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- a persistent cough
- reduced movement of the chest wall
Average cost of treatment
$4,000
COPD Early Symptoms
- wheezing
- difficulty breathing
- swollen feet, ankles or legs
- tightness in the chest
- unintentional weight loss
- shortness of breath during physical activities
- a productive cough
- low muscle endurance
- frequent respiratory infections
Average cost of surgery
$14,000
Average cost of chemotherapy
$8,900
Bronchial Cancer Early Symptoms
- persistent cough
- chest pain
- spitting up blood while coughing
- frequent lung infections (pneumonia)
Non-eligible asbestos caused diseases. Generally our clients get a secondary diagnosis with this diagnosis. Check with your doctor.
Pleurisy Early Symptoms
- shortness of breath
- coughing
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- chest tenderness
- pain in the neck, shoulders or abdomen
Lung Nodules Early Symptoms
- In most cases, lung nodules do not produce any symptoms and are discovered incidentally during X-rays or CT scans.
Asthma Early Symptoms
- Pain or pressure in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- A persistent cough
Emphysema Early Symptoms
- A persistent cough
- Wheezing
- Frequent upper respiratory tract infections
- Feeling tired easily/lack of energy
Tuberculosis Early Symptoms
- Difficulty in breathing
- A persistent Cough, productive
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
Chronic Bronchitis Early Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Tightness in the chest
Pleural Effusion Early Symptoms
- sharp chest pain
- a dry cough
- shortness of breath
- fever
- hiccups
- clubbed fingers
- fatigue
- chest tightness
Pneumonitis Early Symptoms
- cough
- shortness of breath
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- clubbed fingers
- unintentional weight loss
- difficulty breathing
- a burning sensation in the chest
Histoplasmosis Early Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fever with chills
- Dry cough
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
Rounded atelectasis is not usually accompanied by perceivable symptoms. However, in severe cases, one or more of the following symptoms may occur:
- difficulty breathing
- wheezing
- fever
- coughing up blood
- rapid breathing
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
"Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the US and the greatest health risk for American asbestos workers," according to OSHA. Studies have shown that asbestos kills twice as many people with lung cancer than mesothelioma. At least 4% of lung cancer cases are related to asbestos exposure. The risk of lung cancer is higher among smokers who have been additionally exposed to asbestos. Smoking and asbestos exposure drastically weaken the lungs and smokers with past exposure are more likely to develop lung cancer.
Less Common Cancers That Can Develop After Asbestos Exposure
Although asbestos cancer most often refers to mesothelioma, other cancers are associated with prolonged asbestos exposure in a contaminated environment. A number of studies have shown a link between asbestos exposure and other types of cancer.
- Esophageal cancer: Recently, a link between asbestos exposure and cancer of the esophagus has been suggested in addition to the other risk factors.
- Colorectal cancer: Most studies have revealed a positive link between colon cancer and asbestos exposure, though the association between asbestos and rectal cancer is rare.
- Pharyngeal cancer: Asbestos fibers when inhaled for a prolonged period of time can get accumulated in the pharynx leading to cancer.
- Gastrointestinal cancer: It has been shown that the use of water contaminated by asbestos or crumbled asbestos-cement pipes could lead to gastrointestinal cancers.
- Laryngeal cancer: Usually, laryngeal cancer is traced back to habits such as smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol, but, inhalation of asbestos fibers can also cause their accumulation on the voice box while on the way down to the lungs.
- Leukemia: Though a few cases point towards a positive association between asbestos exposure and leukemia, the evidence is sparse related to their link.
Filing a Claim for Asbestos-Related Diseases
If you have a history of asbestos exposure, you should have regular health check-ups and watch out for symptoms of cancer. Around 20% of those who were exposed to asbestos will develop a related disease in the future and, in most cases, the disease will affect the lungs.
As asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period, there are serious risks even after the exposure period has ended. With the support of our team of specialists, you can learn whether you have cause for concern or not. We offer free screenings, based on your latest X-rays.
We possess extensive experience in handling toxic tort cases. Our dedicated staff will evaluate your case thoroughly and help you file a claim. Call us at 205.328.9200 if you have been diagnosed with any asbestos-related disease.
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