What is Asbestos Lung Cancer?
Asbestos, like tobacco, is a carcinogen – eg a substance that is known to be a cause of cancer.
Cancer is a general term meaning the abnormality of a cell which results in an uncontrolled division of cells (eg malignant growth). These cells eventually form a lump known as a tumour.
There are many types of lung cancer and each type
grows and spreads in different ways and is treated differently eg: Mesothelioma usually affects the lining of the internal cavity that holds the lungs (the mesothelium) and is a particular signature of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibres are so tiny (individual particles are invisible to the human eye) and so sharp that when they are inhaled they can become embedded in the lung tissues. Over time lung cells will react to these foreign bodies and this reaction can cause the cells to become malignant.
The more asbestos a person has inhaled the more likely he or she is to go on to develop lung cancer eg mesothelioma.
If you smoke and have been exposed to asbestos your chances of developing lung cancer are increased by as much as 20 times.
Once a tumour is established the individual tumour cells can dislodge from the main cancer mass and will begin to grow elsewhere in the body, a process known as metastases.
Lung cancer can arise in every part of the lung.
A large percentage of the cancer is thought to arise from the epithelial or lining
cells of the large and small airways and is sometimes called bronchogenic carcinomas.
Types of Lung Cancer:
They are broadly classified into 2 types:
- Small cell lung cancer
- Non small cell lung cancer
This classification is based on the microscopic appearance of the tumour cells.
Symptoms include:
- a cough that does not go away and gets worse over time
- coughing up blood
- pleural effusions (accumulation of fluid in the lungs)
- shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness
- repeated problems of pneumonia
- shoulder pain extending down the outside of the arm
- unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- constant chest pain
- fatigue
- psychological symptoms such as depression and mood changes are common
However up to 25% of people with lung cancer have
no symptoms and the tumour is detected only by a routine chest x-ray.
Further information on:
- diagnosis
- treatment, and
- causes
can be downloaded in our guide.
The Legal Issues
Our solicitors know that despite many years of research, the relationship between asbestos exposure and lung cancer is not fully understood. Most asbestos associated lung cancer occurs in those who are also smokers. Recent studies indicate that the presence of asbestosis is not necessary to attribute lung cancer to asbestos exposure.
In cases where a patient has not smoked and has a significant history of asbestos exposure, whether occupationally or environmentally, this hazardous material must be considered as a likely cause of the cancer.
The presence of asbestosis, asbestos bodies in the lung, pleural plaques or pleural thickening would tend to strengthen the diagnosis of asbestos lung cancer in such a patient.
There is also a direct correlation between the extent and duration of the asbestos exposure with the likelihood that an ensuing lung cancer is caused by exposure.
Where a patient has also smoked, it becomes more difficult to differentiate between this hazardous substance and smoking as causes of the lung cancer. However, once again, where exposure to asbestos has been prolonged and significant and where other changes are identified within the lung, such as pleural plaques, pleural thickening or asbestosis, then the diagnosis of asbestos lung cancer will be seriously considered.
The issue as to whether exposure has materially contributed to causation of lung cancer is one of expert evidence that must be addressed by a Consultant Chest Physician.
Claiming Compensation
Call our helpline today on 0800 011 1166 or use our free, no obligation,
online enquiry form to register for a call back or call us directly on 0844 858 3600 and let our solicitors talk you through the process of claiming compensation.
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