Asbestos lung diseases

Question 1

what are the 4 main diseases caused by asbestos

Answer 1

Pleural plaques
Asbestosis
Mesothelioma
Lung cancer

Question 2

What are pleural plaques, ix and mx

Answer 2

Pleural plaques are a consequence of Asbestos exposure but are BENIGN AND non evolving

look like spread out plaques on CXR

no follow up
most common asbestos complication, usually 20-40y after

Question 3

What is asbestosis, ix and mx

Answer 3

Lower lobe fibrosis, and severity= length of exposure to asbestos

causes progressive SOB and exercise intolerance
clubbing
Restrictive pattern with reduced TLCO
Bilateral end exp crackles

Question 4

What is mesothelioma, Ix and Mx

Answer 4

Asbestos related pleural cancer- even small amounts exposure can cause
Blue (crociolite) is the worse

progressive SOB, Pleural pain, Pleural effusion

Palliative mx, live about a year

(actually asbestos causes lung cancer> mesothelioma , in terms of incidence)

Question 5

Lung cancer relation with asbestos

Answer 5

Most common cancer caused by asbestos exposure, with synergistic effects with cigarette n other