Asbestos related lung disease

• What is asbestos-related lung disease?

  Pulmonary diseases caused by asbestos fibers
• What are some conditions included in asbestos-related lung disease?

  Pleural plaques

  Pleural thickening

  Benign asbestos pleurisy

  Lung carcinoma

  Mesothelioma
• What is the pathogenesis of asbestos-related lung disease?

  Inhalation of asbestos fibres -> reach distal airways -> lodge in terminal bronchioles and alveoli -> Mphages fail to eliminate them -> inflam response = fibrosis
• How may a patient present clinically with asbestos-related lung disease?

  Non-specific symptoms e.g. dyspnoea or chest pain
• How is a diagnosis of asbestos-related lung disease made?

  Occupational history

  HRCT

  Histopathological confirmation (when necessary)
• How is asbestos-related lung disease managed?

  Dependent on specific diagnosis
• What are all patients with asbestos-related lung disease advised to do and why?

  Stop smoking - synergistic effects with asbestos causing lung cancer