Asbestos Lung Cancer

Types of Asbestos Lung Cancer

Asbestos can cause two main forms of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Between 80% and 85% of all lung cancers are NSCLC.

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

SCLC is a form of lung cancer composed of cells that are smaller in comparison to those of NSCLC. SCLC tends to grow and spread faster than NSCLC. However, these properties make SCLC more responsive to chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

NSCLC is a form of lung cancer composed of cells that are larger in comparison to those of SCLC. This form of lung cancer also has subtypes including adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma.

02. How Asbestos Causes Lung Cancer

How Does Asbestos Cause Lung Cancer?

Asbestos is a well-established cause of both lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. When people inhale asbestos fibers, the fibers can become lodged in lung tissue. If the fibers remain in lung tissue, they may cause cancer there. If the fibers migrate through the lungs, into the lining around the lungs (the pleura), they can cause mesothelioma.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), asbestos may cause cancer in multiple ways.

• Free Radicals: Asbestos fibers can produce molecules called free radicals. Free radicals can interact with and damage important DNA. This genetic damage can allow or cause cancer to develop.
• Physical Interference: Asbestos fibers physically obstruct important cellular processes. This disruption can cause cells to copy incorrectly, leading to cancer.
• Inflammation: It is difficult for the body to clear or remove asbestos fibers. This allows the fibers to interact with tissue for years or decades. During that time, the asbestos fibers can cause chronic inflammation and irritation. Chronic inflammation can cause cellular damage, uncontrolled growth and other abnormalities associated with cancer.

Latency Period

The processes above can take place over a period of many years. Thus, a significant period of time may pass between asbestos exposure and the development of lung cancer. This time period between exposure and cancer diagnosis is called the latency period.

One study of asbestos-exposed workers found a 10.5-year latency period for lung cancer. However, individual latency periods were as brief as about two years and as lengthy as about 19 years.

Given the latency period, it is important for individuals to keep their own asbestos exposure history in mind. Reporting past asbestos exposure can help doctors quickly determine an accurate diagnosis.

How Do Doctors Determine if Asbestos Caused Lung Cancer in a Specific Case?

Doctors may use the Helsinki Criteria to attribute lung cancer to past asbestos exposure. The Helsinki Criteria was established in 1997. It provided a framework for uniformly determining if and when asbestos likely caused lung diseases.

A number of characteristics may allow a case of lung cancer to be attributed to asbestos, such as:

• Previously confirmed diagnosis of asbestosis
• Presence of pleural plaques (scar tissue on the lining of the lungs) with a history of substantial asbestos exposure
• High asbestos fiber counts in lung biopsy tissue

There is one requirement that all cases of asbestos lung cancer must meet. A period of 10 years must have passed between asbestos exposure and development of lung cancer.

03. Reducing Risks

Risk Factors for Asbestos Lung Cancer

Asbestos can be blamed for thousands of lung cancer cases each year, but other factors can also increase the risk of lung cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, smoking causes most cases of lung cancer.

Other lung cancer risk factors include:

• Air pollution
• Arsenic
• Asbestos
• Beryllium
• Cadmium
• Chromium [VI]
• Diesel exhaust
• Heavy meat consumption
• Radiation
• Radon
• Secondhand smoke
• Silica
• Tar and soot

Individuals may encounter these carcinogens in a number of settings. Several of the substances above are more often found in industrial or occupational settings. Others, such as radon, secondhand smoke and asbestos, may be present in homes. Asbestos, for example, may be found in homes, schools, buildings and numerous jobsites.

According to experts, smoking is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer.

Asbestos Exposure at Work

In the past, manufacturers used asbestos in a number of industrial and household products. This provided opportunities for both occupational asbestos exposure and non-occupational exposure. Modern safety regulations help limit the potential for asbestos exposure at home and work. However, past uses of asbestos products may still be found in older buildings.

Today, individuals in various industries may still risk exposure. For instance, those involved in construction occupations continue to face an increased risk of asbestos exposure compared to the public. Other occupations, such as shipyard workers and military personnel, were often exposed to this dangerous mineral in the past.

Individuals in these and other industries who believe they may have faced exposure on the job should talk to a doctor.

Decreasing Lung Cancer Risks

Concerned individuals can take steps to decrease exposure to the risk factors above.

Test Your Home

Experts can test your home for radon and/or asbestos. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on testing and addressing radon in the home.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides information on testing and removal of asbestos in the home. Asbestos should only be handled by certified professionals. Before any renovation projects, building and homeowners should consider having an asbestos inspection. This can identify any asbestos materials present. Professionals can determine next steps to prevent exposure.

Stop Smoking

A smoker can reduce their lung cancer risk at any time by quitting smoking. There are multiple smoking cessation aids available. Ask your doctor which is most appropriate for you.

Those who have never smoked can avoid the associated increase in risk by continuing to not smoke.

Avoid Secondhand Smoke

If you interact with a smoker at any time, ask them to smoke outside. You can also avoid areas where people commonly smoke such as bars or restaurants.

Do Smoking and Asbestos Exposure Increase Cancer Risk?

Asbestos exposure and smoking can both increase the risk of lung cancer. One study evaluated the rate of lung cancer in men exposed to asbestos through work. The men with the highest levels of asbestos exposure had about 16% higher risk of lung cancer than the general population.

Another study found medium to high asbestos exposure could roughly double a person’s lung cancer risk.

According to multiple studies, the risk of lung cancer increases with the amount of asbestos exposure. Thus, the more a person is exposed to asbestos, the higher their risk of lung cancer will be.

Smoking can significantly increase an individual’s risk of lung cancer. According to the CDC, smokers are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop or die from lung cancer than non-smokers.

The risk climbs even higher for those exposed to both asbestos and cigarette smoke. In one study, the lung cancer risk from asbestos and smoking was more than four times that of either risk factor alone.

04. Prognosis and Survival

Prognosis and Survival in Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

Survival in asbestos lung cancer depends on several factors including treatment, stage at diagnosis and patient health. In the last 10 to 15 years, researchers have made strides in early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. These advances have improved lung cancer life expectancy.

_{Source: American Cancer Society
Note: Survival rates shown are for all forms of lung cancer, including those unrelated to asbestos. Asbestos lung cancer is clinically indistinguishable from other lung cancers.}

Ultimately, prognosis varies based on a number of factors including overall patient health, cancer stage and treatment approach. An experienced asbestos lung cancer doctor can advise you on the best ways to improve survival and quality of life.

05. Symptoms

Common Symptoms of Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

Lung cancer does not always cause symptoms. This may make it difficult to identify in early stages. Reported lung cancer symptoms include:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Cough
• Coughing up bloody phlegm
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fatigue
• Hoarseness
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling in the face and/or neck veins
• Unexplained weight loss
• Wheezing

A number of conditions other than lung cancer can also cause the symptoms above. For instance, patients have reported coughing and difficulty breathing with asbestosis and mesothelioma. Individuals should report any known asbestos exposure to a doctor if such symptoms arise. This can help the doctor determine the true source of the symptoms.

06. Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

Physicians may suspect a patient has lung cancer for a number of reasons. For instance, potential lung cancer symptoms and a history of smoking or asbestos exposure may lead a doctor to consider a lung cancer diagnosis. In such cases, health care providers may call for any combination of the tests below.

Physical Examination

The physician may check the patient for discernible signs of health or disease. This may include unusual lumps or breath sounds.

Chest X-Ray

A health care provider may prescribe an X-ray of the chest. This will provide an image of the organs and bones inside the chest. It may detect areas of abnormal tissue that could be cancerous.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

A CT scan takes a series of X-rays to provide a detailed image. In lung cancer, a CT scan may reveal tissue or tumor cells that do not show on a regular X-ray.

Laboratory Tests

Doctors may send blood, urine or coughed-up mucus for laboratory testing. Under a microscope, these samples may reveal cancer cells.

Thoracentesis (Pleurocentesis)

In some advanced cases of lung cancer, fluid may collect within the exterior lining of the lungs (the pleura). If this occurs, a doctor may need to test this fluid for the presence of cancer cells. Thoracentesis is a procedure that removes this fluid buildup, for testing or otherwise. This procedure is also called pleurocentesis.

Biopsy

Biopsy procedures remove a small tissue sample of a suspected area of cancer. A specialist can then test the tissue for signs of cancer or other conditions.

07. Treatment

Asbestos Lung Cancer Treatment

Similar to treatment for mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer treatment may include traditional options such as surgery and chemotherapy. Doctors often treat lung cancer with a multimodal treatment approach in which the patient receives more than one form of therapy.

Treatment decisions will account for patient health, cancer stage and a number of other factors. An asbestos lung cancer specialist can help determine which treatment option is best for your individual situation.

08. Common Questions