Asbestos Diseases Overview
Evidence of asbestos-related diseases has been around since the 1st century A.D., when the Roman historian Pliny the Elder noted that asbestos miners were dying younger than other slaves. However, the first recorded cases of asbestos disease in the United States were not diagnosed until 1935. Since then, medical research has linked asbestos exposure to numerous life-threatening illnesses and conditions.
This section of our website provides in-depth information on the specific causes, symptoms, treatments and prognoses for the following asbestos diseases:
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Mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is a very serious form of cancer affecting the smooth lining of the chest, lungs, heart and abdomen. Between 2,000 and 3,000 new cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year - and this number continues to rise.
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Asbestosis. Asbestosis is a breathing disorder caused by the prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers. Once they become embedded in the tissue of the lungs, the fibers cause severe inflammation that can lead to scarring, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain. Asbestos symptoms get worse as the disease progresses.
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Lung Cancer. One of the most dangerous potential consequences of asbestos exposure is lung cancer. Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos are five times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who have not been exposed. If those individuals are also smokers, their risk is even greater.
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Gastrointestinal Cancer. Although rare, asbestos-related gastrointestinal disease is a serious concern for anyone who has been exposed to asbestos. In the earlier stages, asbestos-related gastrointestinal cancer has no obvious symptoms, but symptoms may develop as the disease progresses.
Laryngeal Cancer. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may become lodged in the larynx. This triggers the body’s immune response and white blood cells attack the fibers, resulting in inflammation and scarring. The greater degree and length of asbestos exposure, the higher a person’s risk for laryngeal cancer.
Pharyngeal Cancer. Asbestos fibers in the throat can lead to cancer of the pharynx. Pharyngeal cancer typically grows silently, showing no symptoms until the disease has reached advanced stages. These symptoms include sore throat, coughing, trouble swallowing and ear pain.
Esophageal Cancer. Exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of certain types of esophageal cancer. Symptoms of esophageal cancer can include difficulty swallowing, weight loss, pain in the throat, hoarseness, and vomiting.
Have you been diagnosed with any of these diseases? Contact an asbestos attorney today
If you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos and have developed on the above diseases as a result you may want to consider calling an asbestos attorney to discuss your legal options. A qualified mesothelioma attorney can help you get the compensation that you and your family need and deserve.
Asbestos attorneys have helped thousands of mesothelioma patients win compensation for lost wages and medical costs.