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Lung cancer is a potential consequence of asbestos exposure. When a person inhales the fibers of asbestos, the fibers can become lodged in the lungs, beginning a disease process that culminates in lung cancer. Thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world have contracted lung cancer that is directly traceable to asbestos, a known carcinogen. There are two main categories of lung cancer that result from asbestos exposure - small-cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer. A combination of both types of lung cancer is also possible.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
About three-quarters of all lung cancer cases are non-small-cell lung cancer. There are four subcategories of non-small cell lung cancer:
- adenocarcinoma
- bronchoaveolar carcinoma
- large cell carcinoma
- squamous cell carcinoma
If it's caught early enough, non-small-cell lung cancer may be removable by surgery, but for most cases, the treatments that are available today do not cure the cancer.
Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Small-cell lung cancer is less common than non-small-cell lung cancer, and its survival rate is very low. It usually can't be removed by surgery (chemotherapy and radiation are options), and it metastasizes (spreads) at an early point in the progression of the disease. Most small-cell lung cancers have spread beyond the lungs by the time they're discovered.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
It's important to recognize the symptoms of lung cancer and other asbestos-caused diseases:
- A "smoker's cough" that gets worse
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Hoarseness
- Appetite loss
- Repeated episodes of bronchitis or pneumonia
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Wheezing
Lung cancer can metastasize to other parts of the body (e.g., brain, bone, lymph nodes, stomach), and symptoms such as headaches and abdominal pain may be the result. The sooner that the symptoms of lung cancer are addressed, the better the chances of treating it.
If you are experiencing symptoms of lung cancer, see a doctor if you haven’t already done so. To learn about your legal rights after asbestos exposure, contact an asbestos attorney in your area.