Types of Cancers Caused by Asbestos
Asbestos - related lung cancer causes roughly 6,000 deaths annually in the United States, making it one of the deadliest asbestos - linked diseases. Asbestos exposure increases lung cancer risk nearly sixfold compared to mesothelioma, and fibers intensify this risk even further.
Lung cancer typically develops 15 to 35 years after exposure. High - risk groups include veterans, shipyard workers, construction workers, miners, firefighters, and those in heavy industry.
All asbestos fiber types - long, thin, or short - can cause lung cancer. Asbestos - related lung cancer is classified into two major categories:
Non - small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Represents 80% - 85% of cases and includes:
- Squamous cell carcinoma (airway lining cells)
- Large cell carcinoma (can occur anywhere in the lung)
- Adenocarcinoma (glandular tissue of the alveoli)
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Represents 10% - 15% of cases and spreads rapidly, often before symptoms appear.
Common symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and coughing up blood.
Laryngeal cancer is a rare cancer affecting the throat. Asbestos exposure increases the risk by nearly 40%, and smoking or alcohol use further elevates this risk. A 2006 National Institutes of Health report confirmed the link between asbestos and throat cancer.
Asbestos fibers can embed in the larynx, causing genetic mutations that lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Symptoms include hoarseness, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and ear pain.
Stomach cancer can develop when asbestos fibers are swallowed and irritate the stomach lining. Workers in construction, demolition, milling, mining, and veterans are at elevated risk.
Types of asbestos - related stomach cancer include:
Lymphoma: Tumors forming in stomach lymph nodes.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): Tumors arising from interstitial cells of Cajal in the stomach lining.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease - not a cancer - caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. These fibers scar lung tissue, preventing normal expansion and contraction. Symptoms typically appear decades after exposure.
Common symptoms include persistent coughing, chest pain, tightness, and shortness of breath. Some patients also develop nail abnormalities or finger clubbing.
