Asbestosis vs Mesothelioma: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 9 Jan 2009 - Updated: 1 Oct 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information explains how asbestosis and mesothelioma differ, even though both come from breathing in or swallowing asbestos fibers that the body can never get rid of. Asbestosis is a noncancerous, long-term lung disease. Trapped fibers set off ongoing inflammation that leaves scar tissue, a process called fibrosis, which slowly reduces the lungs' ability to move oxygen into the blood. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer of the mesothelium, the thin membrane that surrounds the body's major organs, and it usually appears 20 to 50 or more years after exposure. Both diseases cause shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing, so the guide explains why telling them apart matters. Asbestosis care focuses on slowing the disease and easing symptoms, while mesothelioma treatment depends on how far the cancer has spread. The guide is especially useful for older adults, former tradespeople and people with disabilities who may have been exposed at work or at home years ago and want to understand what their symptoms could mean.

At a Glance

• 1 - Of the six minerals classed as asbestos, the brown and blue types are the ones most often linked to mesothelioma.
• 2 - Asbestosis is often misdiagnosed as asthma because the symptoms are similar and doctors see far more asthma cases.
• 3 - The word asbestos comes from Ancient Greek and means inextinguishable, reflecting its resistance to heat and flame.
• 4 - Severe asbestosis can strain the heart enough to cause right-sided heart failure, a condition known as cor pulmonale.

Topic Definition

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic, noncancerous lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos fibers over a long period. Once the fibers lodge deep in the lung tissue, the body cannot clear them, and the immune system responds with ongoing inflammation that gradually forms stiff scar tissue, a process known as pulmonary fibrosis. As the scarring spreads, the lungs lose their ability to expand and to move oxygen into the bloodstream, leading to shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, chest tightness and, in advanced cases, strain on the heart. Symptoms usually appear 10 to 40 years after the first exposure, and while there is no cure, treatment focuses on easing symptoms, protecting lung function and preventing further exposure.

Overview

In order to fully understand the relationship between asbestosis and mesothelioma, and clearly distinguish between these diseases, we must first learn about the cause, then set about defining each condition in a clear, yet non-technical manner.

What is Asbestos?

The name Asbestos was first given to this toxic mineral by the Ancient Greeks, and the word "Asbestos" literally means inextinguishable. Throughout much of the twentieth century asbestos was widely used in industry because of its resistance to heat and flame, resistance to electricity and excellent insulation and sound proofing qualities. It is estimated that there are approximately 3,000 different commercial products which include the use of asbestos in the manufacture process.

Asbestos is made up of tiny microscopic fibers which are invisible to the naked eye, and these fibers will often become airborne when the material is damaged or disturbed. Once carried by air, the fibers may be inhaled into the lungs or even swallowed into the digestive system where they will almost certainly cause long term, significant health problems. Inhaled asbestos fibers will remain in the body and never be expelled, and because of this, the fibers penetrate body tissues and will often deposit themselves in airways and lung tissue.

There are six minerals which are defined as "asbestos" types. These are;

• chrysotile
• crocidolite
• amosite
• actinolite
• tremolite
• anthophyllite

The three most commonly used asbestos types are classed as;

• white
• brown
• blue

It is the brown and blue asbestos types which are most often associated with being the cause of mesothelioma. Millions of people all over the world have been affected by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, putting them at risk of contracting asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other deadly diseases directly caused by these toxic levels of asbestos.

What is Asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a noncancerous, chronic inflammatory medical condition which scars the parenchymal tissue of the lungs, and is caused by the inhalation of toxic levels of asbestos fibers. The asbestos fibers activate the lung's immune system which causes an inflammatory process resulting in connective-tissue-based scars to form a condition known as fibrosis. This scar tissue will slowly build up, to the extent where it reduces the lung's ability to deliver oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. The lung capacity may also be reduced which in turn will lead to breathing problems. In severe cases of asbestosis the impairment of lung function places a tremendous strain on the heart, causing heart disease, such as right-sided heart failure or "cor pulmonale."

Signs and symptoms of asbestosis will typically not become apparent until years after exposure. But once diagnosed, the condition will often worsen and lead to severe disability and even death if the exposure to asbestos continues.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the cells that form the mesothelium, the membrane surrounding the main organs of the body. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos fibers or dust and primarily strikes those individuals who have worked with asbestos products. Others have been exposed to asbestos fibers in their homes, often without knowing it. Because of the latency of the cancer, it will typically not appear for 20 to 50 or more years after the initial exposure.

There are approximately 3,000 to 4,000 new cases of mesothelioma reported in the United States each year, mostly among men over the age of 40, and the figure is on the increase.

While asbestosis and mesothelioma share a common cause... the inhalation of asbestos fibers... they are entirely different conditions, and there are few similarities between the two illnesses. Asbestosis is the build up of scar tissue on the lungs, which restricts their expansion and contraction. Early signs of the illness include a shortage of breath after physical exertion. During the later stages, the shortness of breath occurs even at times of rest. Other symptoms of asbestosis are chest pains and bouts of coughing. Asbestosis is quite often mis-diagnosed as being asthma particularly because many of the symptoms of the two conditions are similar. Physicians deal with a lot more cases of asthma than they do asbestosis.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium of certain internal organs. Although the symptoms of asbestosis and mesothelioma are similar, in the case of mesothelioma, it is cancerous cells that are causing these symptoms. Asbestosis is a non-cancerous illness.

Treatment Differences

There are also major differences in the treatments of asbestosis and mesothelioma.

While treatment for asbestosis centers around preventing the condition from deteriorating and easing the symptoms, treatment for mesothelioma will depend on how far the cancer has developed. If diagnosed early enough, there is a good possibility that the cancerous tumors can be removed or abnormal cells killed using radiation or chemotherapy. Later stages of mesothelioma cancer can be treated, but treatment becomes more difficult if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Regardless of the type of treatment, both asbestosis and mesothelioma have a very poor prognosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a person have both asbestosis and mesothelioma?

Yes. Because both diseases come from asbestos exposure, a person can develop both, and people with asbestosis may face a higher risk of asbestos-related cancers. Regular follow-up with a lung specialist helps catch new problems early.

How is asbestosis diagnosed?

Doctors usually combine a detailed work and exposure history with a chest X-ray or high-resolution CT scan and pulmonary function tests. A biopsy is rarely needed when the exposure history and imaging clearly point to asbestosis.

Does smoking increase the risk from asbestos exposure?

Smoking does not appear to raise mesothelioma risk directly, but combined with asbestos exposure it greatly increases the risk of lung cancer and can worsen breathing problems caused by asbestosis.

Can family members be exposed to asbestos secondhand?

Yes. Workers can carry fibers home on clothing, hair and tools, exposing spouses and children. Many mesothelioma cases in women have been traced to washing the work clothes of a family member.

Is asbestos still used in the United States?

In 2024 the U.S. EPA issued a ban on chrysotile asbestos, the last type still being imported, with use phased out over several years. However, older homes, schools and buildings may still contain asbestos materials.

What should I do if I think my home contains asbestos?

Leave the material alone and do not sand, cut or remove it. Hire a licensed asbestos inspector to test it, and use a certified abatement contractor if removal or repair is needed.

What are pleural plaques?

Pleural plaques are patches of thickened tissue on the lining of the lungs caused by asbestos exposure. They are the most common sign of past exposure and are usually harmless, but they indicate a person should be monitored.

How can people with asbestosis manage their symptoms?

Pulmonary rehabilitation, supplemental oxygen, flu and pneumonia vaccines and quitting smoking can all help. These steps protect remaining lung function and make daily activities easier.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Asbestos was valued for decades because it insulated well, deadened sound and resisted fire and electricity, and it ended up in roughly 3,000 commercial products. That is why exposure reaches well beyond factory floors and into ordinary homes, often without anyone knowing. The United States still records an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 new mesothelioma cases each year, mostly in men over 40. Many asbestosis patients first notice it as breathlessness after exertion, which can later turn into breathlessness even at rest. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should tell their doctor about it directly, because naming the exposure early can prevent a misdiagnosis. Avoiding further exposure is also one of the few proven ways to slow asbestosis. Both conditions still carry a poor prognosis, so early and accurate diagnosis gives patients and families the most time to plan care and make informed decisions.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability, a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.