Other Mesotheliomas
While the great majority of mesotheliomas are in either the pleura or the peritoneum, malignant mesotheliomas sometimes occur in other parts of the body, including the testicles (a variety of peritoneal mesothelioma) and the heart (a variety of pleural mesothelioma.) These are also caused by exposure to asbestos fibers.
Benign pleural diseases
There is much confusion about the different types of benign (or non-cancerous) pleural diseases, mainly because different researchers and doctors use different words to describe the same things, or the same words to describe different things.
This is a discussion about pleural diseases that are related to asbestos exposure, are not malignant (like mesothelioma), and exist only in the pleura. They can be divided into three groups: plaques, thickening, and effusions.
Pleural plaques are small, hard, plate-like surfaces on the pleura, similar to arteriosclerosis in coronary arteries. They are caused by asbestos fibers that invade the pleura from the lungs. Medical researchers do not fully understand the underlying processes of why asbestos fibers cause plaques to develop.
Plaques rarely make breathing difficult and by themselves are seldom disabling. Rather, they are "markers" that indicate previous exposure to asbestos: they can help to confirm the cause of other diseases that might otherwise not be understood to be asbestos-related. However, a person who has plaques should be vigilant about his or her health. He or she may be at higher risk for developing other asbestos-related diseases and should therefore advise his or her doctor about this asbestos exposure.
Pleural thickening is a diffuse fibrosis in the pleura. Asbestos fibers that move from the lung to the pleura cause the pleura to thicken and a widespread fibrosis can develop. Researchers do not understand the underlying processes by which asbestos fibers cause fibrosis.
This thickening can restrict the lungs' ability to expand and contract, and therefore make breathing difficult. Like plaques, thickening is evidence of exposure to asbestos and it places people at higher risk of developing other more serious chest diseases.
An asbestos-related benign pleural effusion refers to a build-up of fluid in the pleural space of a person who was exposed to asbestos and who does not have any other disease that might cause a pleural effusion (such as mesothelioma.) Some effusions cause chest pains, but many do not cause any symptoms. This type of benign pleural effusion is treatable, and it should also alert the person to be especially vigilant about his or her respiratory health.
Most people with pleural plaques, effusions and/or thickening do not have any symptoms. They can be diagnosed using chest x-rays and CT scans.
Silicosis
Silica is the second most common mineral in earth�s crust and is a major component of sand, rock and mineral ore. When a worker inhales the crystalline dust, it may start a chain reaction that leads to silicosis, a life-threatening inflammation of the lungs.Those industries that pose the greatest potential risk for worker exposure to silica are construction, mining, manufacturing and agriculture. Sandblasters, foundry workers and quarry workers are among those most often affected.Unfortunately, there is no treatment for silicosis. Those who suffer from the condition experience a lifetime of severe breathing problems and in many cases, develop tuberculosis.
