The Relationship Between Mesothelioma and Asbestosis

Explaining how mesothelioma and asbestosis are linked, both caused by asbestos exposure but with different effects.

Mesothelioma and asbestosis are both diseases caused by asbestos exposure, but they affect the body differently. This article explores the relationship between these two conditions, their similarities, their symptoms, and the ways in which they are diagnosed and treated, to help victims and families understand the risks associated with asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-using companies, mostly construction companies, knew about health risks like asbestosis and mesothelioma for many decades. Yet they continued using this dangerous substance in attic insulation, roof shingles, pipe insulation, ceiling tiles, electrical insulation, and many other places, mostly because asbestos was cheap and effective. In other words, the economic value of asbestos outweighed its poisonous properties. Companies got rich and other people got sick.

The 2024 Asbestos Ban

A recent asbestos ban helps ensure that people don’t get sick in the future. But the rule does nothing to compensate prior victims. Only an asbestos exposure lawyer can do that. In many cases, this compensation is substantial. Because asbestos exposure diseases are so serious, damages include compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Because of the aforementioned corporate arrogance, substantial punitive damages are often available as well. 

Lung diseases are usually a product of genetic predisposition and/or a risky lifestyle (generally cigarette smoking). Asbestosis and mesothelioma are different. The two main causes of these diseases are:

• Occupational: As mentioned, asbestos companies hid the health risk for decades. As part of this coverup, most companies either didn’t give workers adequate PPE (protective personal equipment) or didn’t encourage them to use it. At-risk workers include not only construction workers, but also shipbuilders and many manufacturing workers. Before 1980, the Navy lined its ships with asbestos and many auto parts, like hood liners, were almost pure asbestos.

• Environmental: This category also includes several classes of victims, like those who lived downwind of an open-air asbestos mine or people who lived with asbestos workers and inhaled the fibers on their clothes. Environmental exposure cases also include talc-asbestos and disaster victims. Johnson & Johnson knowingly sold asbestos-laced talk for nearly a half century, and in New York City, because of the 9/11 toxic cloud, the illness litigation may just be beginning.

If a lifestyle or genetic condition contributes to an asbestos exposure-related lung disease, an asbestos exposure lawyer can normally still obtain maximum compensation. Asbestos companies and other negligence defendants cannot cash in and reduce their liability exposure if the victim is physically or otherwise vulnerable.

20,000 microscopic asbestos fibers can fit between Abraham Lincoln’s chin and mouth on a U.S. penny. These tiny fibers can enter the body in many ways. Inhaled fibers usually cause lung disease. Absorbed fibers usually cause a different kind of cancer.

Mesothelioma

Actually, these fibers can cause five types of mesothelioma, but for purposes of this post, we’ll focus on pleural mesothelioma, the most common kind of asbestos exposure-related cancer.

Inhaled asbestos dust or fibers often settle in the mesothelium (membrane layer) that separates the heart and lungs. The toxic particles alter cellular DNA and extend the life of dying cells, which sounds like a good thing. But when cells don’t naturally die off, they clump together and form tumors. Because of the altered DNA, these tumors are often malignant.

Improvements in Mesothelioma Treatment

Cancer survival rates have improved significantly since the 1990s, mostly because cancer diagnosis has improved. Doctors now diagnose cancer in Stage I or II, when it’s localized and easier to treat. Doctors typically use a three-pronged approach. Radiation treatments shrink tumors, surgeons remove them, and chemotherapy drugs kill cancer and other fast-dividing cells, like hair cells.

If doctors diagnose cancer once it reaches Stage III or IV, doctors must turn to intense radiation, radical surgery, and uber-powerful drugs. So, the cure is worse than the disease, which given the nature of cancer, is saying quite a bit.

Because most mesothelioma victims don’t show signs of illness, like trouble breathing and dry coughing, until the disease reaches Stage III or IV, treatment options are limited.

Asbestosis

The same fibers that alter cell DNA also burn narrow airways inside the lung. The burns create scar tissue, which eventually blocks these airways. At that point, the only effective option is a radical lung transplant.

But we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves. Some asbestosis drugs are available. These drugs clear out the scar tissue, or at least some of it, so these victims can breathe somewhat normally, at least while sleeping or otherwise at rest.

Usually, regaining some lung function is the best possible outcome in asbestosis cases. Therefore, asbestosis is almost always disabling, a factor we’ll discuss below.

Abdominal/Cervical Cancer

We’ll group these two kinds of asbestos exposure cancer together because they’re similar in many ways. Swallowed asbestos fibers usually cause abdominal or stomach cancer. Applied asbestos fibers usually cause cervical cancer.

Stomach cancer, which is also called gastric cancer, is a growth of cells that starts in the stomach. The stomach is in the upper middle part of the belly, just below the ribs. The stomach helps to break down and digest food.

The location affects the treatment plan, and treatment is often successful. In fact, the prognosis for people with small stomach cancers is quite good. Many can even expect a cure. Unfortunately, most stomach cancers are found when the disease is advanced and a cure is less likely. 

Asbestos-Contaminated Talcum Powder used for decades

Cervical cancer is linked to asbestos-laced talcum powder. Since asbestos and talc are chemically similar, mineral deposits are often interlaced. For many years, stray asbestos fibers snuck past teh QA/QC system at Johnson & Johnson. So, when women put talcum powder on their bodies, they were also rubbing asbestos on their bodies. These fibers move up the fallopian tubes and poison the cervix.

A few final words about your legal options. Substantial compensation is available if an asbestos exposure lawyer proves the company was negligent (lack of care) by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not). Companies are usually negligent when they don’t adequately warn customers about all known adverse side effects.

Financial Support for Treatment of Asbestos and Talc-Related Cancer and Health Problems

A no-fault option, like Social Security Disability, may be a better choice in some cases. Less compensation is available, but an asbestos exposure lawyer doesn’t have to prove negligence. Instead, benefits are available if the applicant has a covered condition which is “disabling,” according to the SSA’s complex definition.

Asbestos Trusts

Extra-legal bankruptcy victim compensation fund claims are also a very good option in some cases. These funds, which bankrupt asbestos companies set up beginning in the 1980s, contain over $30 billion.