Is it true that just a one-time exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma? What are the other effects of asbestos? Can asbestos cause lung scarring? Does asbestos cause other types of cancer, apart from lung cancer and mesothelioma?

Dr. Joshua’s Answer:

Exposure to asbestos can result in asbestosis, which is a form of pulmonary fibrosis, in which a scar tissue-like fibrosis develops in the lungs. Fibrosis is sometimes called “scarring”, because fibrosis and scar tissue are quite similar. This leads to a restrictive lung disease, which means that the function of the lungs becomes worse because of the scarring, effectively making it harder to breathe because the scar tissue limits the expanding movement of the chest.

Apart from the scar tissue-like fibrosis, asbestos exposure can result in mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer of the pleura. The pleura is a thin membrane which surrounds the lungs. Mesothelioma is rare disease, and is usually caused by prolonged exposure. Plural fibrosis (scarring) may develop first, and mesothelioma usually develops 10-30 years after the exposure. Mesothelioma is a malignant disease, and unfortunately mesothelioma treatments often fail - the disease cannot be cured, and is fatal in most cases. The cancer may spread to the mucous membranes lining the abdomen, which is called peritoneal mesothelioma. About half of mesothelioma patients die within one year of diagnosis.

A one-time asbestos exposure, or a very short exposure, has not been proven to increase the risk of fibrosis, mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. However,

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