Asbestos and the lung

The important types of asbestos are the amphiboles, i.e. crocidolite (blue) and amosite (brown), and chrysotile (white). All types cause all the asbestos-induced diseases, but the amphiboles are much more carcinogenic than chrysotile. Asbestosis is diffuse interstitial fibrosis of the lungs caused by asbestos. It presents with breathlessness and progresses slowly. High-resolution computed tomography is more sensitive than plain radiography for diagnosis. The benign asbestos pleural diseases are plaque, diffuse pleural thickening (which may be accompanied by folded lung), and pleurisy with or without effusion. Asbestos causes malignant mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum. Like benign pleural disease, mesothelioma can occur after a low dose of asbestos. Chemotherapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin helps symptoms and prolongs survival. Asbestos also causes all histological types of lung cancer, and acts synergistically with smoking.