Mesothilioma & Asbestos Related Medical Conditions

These are asbestos related medical conditions that can arise as a result of prolonged contact with asbestos.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is the scarring of lung tissue that can result from long term exposure to substantial amounts of chrysotile. There is no cure for asbestosis however it is not a condition that results in death.

Mesothilioma

A cancer of the pleura (outer lung lining) or of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity).

Exposure of humans to chrysotile alone has caused few pleural mesothiliomas, and for practical purposes has never produced peritoneal mesothilioma. The risk of mesothilioma is less with chrysotile than with other types of asbestos.

Mesothilioma rarely occurs less than 15 years from first exposure, and most cases occur over 30 years after first exposure.

Bronchogenic cancer

There may be a link between bronchogenic cancer of the lung in people exposed to asbestos. Smoking greatly increases this risk.

This cancer has a long period before it arises in the body - 20 years or more - and it appears that the incidence is related ot how much has been taken.

Other respiratory cancers

Other cancers of the respiratory system such as cancer of the larynx have been reported in asbestos workers.

Excess cancers of the oesophagus, stomach and intestines have been revealed after heavy exposure in an industrial environment.