Asbestosis Overview

Asbestosis is a serious lung disease that occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled and become lodged in the inner layers of the lungs. Asbestosis is not a type of cancer, but malignant mesothelioma is; when malignant mesothelioma occurs in the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma. Some patients do acquire asbestosis and then develop pleural mesothelioma.

Asbestosis develops over time as the asbestos fibers begin to cause inflammation in the lungs and the development of fibrosis, or scar tissue. The diagnosis of asbestosis occurs when the scar tissue becomes large enough to be identified on an x-ray. As the scar tissue expands throughout the lungs, the lungs become increasingly dysfunctional and breathing becomes labored. Asbestosis can lead to disability and death.