Asbestosis and mesothelioma are different diseases with a few common factors. Individuals who work with asbestos on a regular basis, along with their families, are at risk of contracting either of these diseases. They also take time to display symptoms; asbestosis can take at least ten years before symptoms begin to appear, while mesothelioma symptoms do not show up until about 30 or 40 years after the initial exposure.

One major difference between the two is that asbestosis is not cancerous. It is instead a chronic lung condition with no known cure. As asbestos fibers enter the lungs, the body produces cells to combat the asbestos. The cells encapsulate the fibers and secrete a fluid that sometimes leaks onto the lung tissue. This causes inflammation, and eventually scar tissue. As more scare tissue builds up, the lung stiffens. Breathing and expanding the lungs becomes a challenge. This is an early warning sign of asbestosis. Asbestosis can lead to the development of heart failure or lung cancers, including mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that usually affects the lungs or stomach. It occurs when asbestos fibers become lodged in the lining of the lungs or stomach. The body produces cells to neutralize the asbestos, and the cells end up growing out of control. Surgery or radiation can succeed in halting or removing the growth of malignant cells, but the outlook for both mesothelioma and asbestosis is poor.

If you have ever been exposed to asbestos at any point in your life, seek medical attention if you develop any coughing, breathing problems or chest tightness. These are common asbestosis and mesothelioma symptoms. Both asbestosis and  mesothelioma stay invisible for several years.

Cappolino Dodd Krebs, LLP – mesothelioma lawyers