Understanding Asbestos Related Disease There is often a lot of confusion about what type of asbestos related disease people have. So here is the summary to help understand the different types of asbestos related disease. Pleural Plaques and Pleural Thickening The majority of people exposed to Libby Amphibole Asbestos who develop an asbestos related disease, develop some kind of pleural fibrosis (scarring on the lining around the lungs). Based on the mineralogical features of Libby amphibole asbestos, the pleural lining is most commonly impacted by the fibers. The fibers migrate out of the lungs through tissue and/or travel in body fluids invading the pleural lining and causing disease. It is important to remember that pleural fibrosis occurs on a continuum from localized pleural plaques (a spot) to diffuse pleural thickening (that covers a significant area of the lung linings surface). All types of pleural fibrosis reduce the flexibility of the pleural lining which can limit a person's ability to breathe deeply. This restrictive disease is similar to a tight rubber band that will restrict or not allow the lungs to fully expand, Different people experience different severities of fibrosis and it does not always correlate with the level of asbestos exposure the person experienced. It can also progress in some people. Since the fibrosis is on the outside lining around the lungs (pleural lining) rather than inside or on the actual lung tissue, the person officially has asbestos related pleural disease, not asbestosis. Asbestosis The second category of asbestos related disease, that is much less common in Libby but still seen in some people, is when the scarring occurs inside or on the lung tissue. This has many names. It can be referred to as parenchymal fibrosis, interstitial disease, interstitial fibrosis, or asbestosis. The term asbestosis is mainly used in reference to scarring of the lung tissue itself. Historically, asbestosis was the common presentation of asbestos related disease, although it is noteworthy that it was typically seen with the more common commercial type of asbestos, chrysotile. Asbestos Related Disease Symptoms and Treatments Just as the degree of fibrosis occurs on a continuum, so do the symptoms people experience. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, a chronic cough, lots of phlegm, and chest pain. Some people experience severe symptoms that greatly impact their daily life and can become a debilitating and/lor terminal condition while other people may have very few symptoms throughout their lives. Therefore, it is very important for people to work closely with their doctor to receive ongoing medical care and evaluation. Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, stomach cavity, and internal chest wall (all made of mesothelial cells). Lung Cancer affects actual lung tissue. These cancers are experienced by some people in Libby but the majority of people who have an asbestos related disease have some type of fibrous as described above., not cancer. The Difficulty of Diagnosing Diagnosing asbestos related disease associated with Libby Amphibole Asbestos can be difficult as it is a new presentation of an old disease. The initial changes appear more subtly and are not as easily recognized on diagnostic images (x-ray/CT) in the early stages. It is important to remember that with Libby Amphibole Asbestos diseases the changes are frequently on the outside lining around the lungs (the pleura lining) rather than inside the lungs. It is also possible for people to have any range of pleural fibrosis and asbestosis at the same time. These unique characteristics make proper diagnosis difficult for those not experienced with this particular type of asbestos related disease. Screening / Healthcare / Education / Research / Outreach Free Libby Asbestos Health Screening Available Call 406-293-9274 or toll free 855-891-CARD (2773) www.libbyasbestos.org (CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease Understanding Asbestos Related Disease There is often a lot of confusion about what type of asbestos related disease people have. So here is the summary to help understand the different types of asbestos related disease. Pleural Plaques and Pleural Thickening The majority of people exposed to Libby Amphibole Asbestos who develop an asbestos related disease, develop some kind of pleural fibrosis (scarring on the lining around the lungs). Based on the mineralogical features of Libby amphibole asbestos, the pleural lining is most commonly impacted by the fibers. The fibers migrate out of the lungs through tissue and/or travel in body fluids invading the pleural lining and causing disease. It is important to remember that pleural fibrosis occurs on a continuum from localized pleural plaques (a spot) to diffuse pleural thickening (that covers a significant area of the lung linings surface). All types of pleural fibrosis reduce the flexibility of the pleural lining which can limit a person's ability to breathe deeply. This restrictive disease is similar to a tight rubber band that will restrict or not allow the lungs to fully expand, Different people experience different severities of fibrosis and it does not always correlate with the level of asbestos exposure the person experienced. It can also progress in some people. Since the fibrosis is on the outside lining around the lungs (pleural lining) rather than inside or on the actual lung tissue, the person officially has asbestos related pleural disease, not asbestosis. Asbestosis The second category of asbestos related disease, that is much less common in Libby but still seen in some people, is when the scarring occurs inside or on the lung tissue. This has many names. It can be referred to as parenchymal fibrosis, interstitial disease, interstitial fibrosis, or asbestosis. The term asbestosis is mainly used in reference to scarring of the lung tissue itself. Historically, asbestosis was the common presentation of asbestos related disease, although it is noteworthy that it was typically seen with the more common commercial type of asbestos, chrysotile. Asbestos Related Disease Symptoms and Treatments Just as the degree of fibrosis occurs on a continuum, so do the symptoms people experience. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, a chronic cough, lots of phlegm, and chest pain. Some people experience severe symptoms that greatly impact their daily life and can become a debilitating and/lor terminal condition while other people may have very few symptoms throughout their lives. Therefore, it is very important for people to work closely with their doctor to receive ongoing medical care and evaluation. Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, stomach cavity, and internal chest wall (all made of mesothelial cells). Lung Cancer affects actual lung tissue. These cancers are experienced by some people in Libby but the majority of people who have an asbestos related disease have some type of fibrous as described above., not cancer. The Difficulty of Diagnosing Diagnosing asbestos related disease associated with Libby Amphibole Asbestos can be difficult as it is a new presentation of an old disease. The initial changes appear more subtly and are not as easily recognized on diagnostic images (x-ray/CT) in the early stages. It is important to remember that with Libby Amphibole Asbestos diseases the changes are frequently on the outside lining around the lungs (the pleura lining) rather than inside the lungs. It is also possible for people to have any range of pleural fibrosis and asbestosis at the same time. These unique characteristics make proper diagnosis difficult for those not experienced with this particular type of asbestos related disease. Screening / Healthcare / Education / Research / Outreach Free Libby Asbestos Health Screening Available Call 406-293-9274 or toll free 855-891-CARD (2773) www.libbyasbestos.org (CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease