NASAG

Pleural Plaques

 

Pleural Plaques are localised well-defined raised patches of  thickened tissue, rather like calluses on other parts of the body. They are patches of tough sinewy tissue formed on the pleura.

The pleura is a two-layered thin membrane surrounding the lungs separating the lungs from the chest wall.

Sometimes these plaques are 'calcified' and may be referred to as 'calcified pleural plaques'. Your consultant will be able to see these on a chest X-ray or CT scan.

Usually you will not experience any symptoms of breathlessness or discomfort because of pleural plaques and it is unlikely that you will know that you have them. They may be discovered accidentally when you are having a routine health check and chest X-ray.

Pleural plaques are the least serious form of asbestos disease and are NOT cancerous. They are regarded as an indicator of exposure to asbestos. There is a small chance that because of the asbestos exposure you may develop one of the other types of asbestos diseases in the future.

Pleural plaques can affect one or both lungs.

Plaques do not usually cause any symptoms.

Pleural plaques do not themselves develop into anything more serious.

 

The DWP do not recognise pleural plaques a disease for the purpose of claiming benefits. It has not been possible to claim Civil compensation for pleural plaques since a decision the Court of Appeal on the 26th January 2006. All claims for Pleural Plaques are currently suspended pending an appeal to the House of Lords.

 

While the case is proceeding to the House of Lords we would still advise anyone who has been affected by Pleural Plaques to seek specialist legal advice from a law firm with experience in asbestos litigation

Pleural Thickening

Diffuse pleural thickening is similar in appearance to pleural plaques, but the 'thickening' is more widespread and may involve both layers of the pleura. As with pleural plaques, one or both the lungs may be affected. Diffuse pleural thickening can cause breathlessness, however it is NOT cancerous.

This thickening or 'fibrosis' can be identified sometimes through clinical examinations, but is usually diagnosed by X-ray.

 

Sometimes fluid can build up between the lung and the chest wall, which usually needs to be drained. This is known as Pleural effusion and can cause breathlessness and in some instances pain. Both pleural plaques and pleural thickening usually occur typically 10 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.

If you are diagnosed with Pleural Thickening and worked in an industry which exposed you to asbestos you can make a claim for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

 

Please see our DWP benefits page. You should also consult a specialist solicitor. Please see our compensation page for more information. A link is provided in our Site Map above.

 

 

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is the name given to fibrosis (hardening or scarring) round the air sacs in the lungs caused by inhaling asbestos dust/fibres. It is NOT a cancer and usually occurs in people who have had had heavy exposure to asbestos at work.

Many people believe that asbestosis is a cancer and confuse it with the malignant disease mesothelioma.

 

Asbestosis is also called "interstitial pulmonary fibrosis", which means that the lung itself is damaged by the body's inflammatory reaction to asbestos fibres. The inflammation results in scar tissue or fibrosis, building up in the insertstitium (tissue between the air sacs).

The fibrosis reduces the elasticity of the lungs and they then become stiff making it less easy for the lungs to inflate on breathing. It is not possible to reverse the fibrosis but drugs and inhalers may help to relive the symptoms. Symptoms of asbestosis include breathlessness, especially on exertion, a dry cough and chest tightness.

 

Asbestosis may progress even long after exposure has ceased and it cannot be reversed.

However the extent of the progression varies widely as does the affects on breathing. It can take up to 10 to 40 years for asbestosis to develop, but this time scale may vary.

 

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma also known as "diffuse mesothelioma" or "malignant mesothelioma" used to be a relatively rare form of cancer. It can affect the pleura (the external lining of the lungs), and less commonly the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). It can also affect the pericardium (the area around the Heart). Mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer for which there is presently no known cure.

 

It can take up to 50 years to develop and is almost always associated with exposure to asbestos. Cigarette smoking does not cause mesothelioma. Unlike other asbestos diseases mesothelioma is NOT "dose related".

It is possible to develop mesothelioma as a result of short periods of exposure to asbestos. People have developed mesothelioma as a result of living near to asbestos factories or from living with someone who worked with asbestos and brought asbestos dust home on their overalls.

 

An early sign of mesothelioma is an effusion (build up of fluid) in the pleural space around the lung, or the peritoneal space in the abdomen. This can cause pain and breathlessness. Sometimes it can be very difficult to make a diagnosis of mesothelioma and more than one biopsy (avery small amount of tissue) is sometimes needed. It is also important to note that the type of treatment the patientreceives will be determined by the type of mesothelioma the patient is diagnosed with.

 

Mesothelioma is the most severe form of asbestos related disease Once diagnosed it is very difficult to predict the life expectancy a person can expect. The Consultant in charge of the patient’s treatment will discuss life expectancy.

Estimates usually vary from between 6 – 12 months but there are some exceptional cases of patients surviving for up to 4 years Lung Cancer Associated with Asbestosis Workers exposed to asbestos have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. The risk is greatly increased if the person exposed to asbestos also has a history of cigarette smoking.

It is impossible to distinguish by asbestos from lung cancer caused by smoking, or other environmental pollutants. It is often very difficult to get a clear diagnoses of asbestos-related lung cancer. The treatment for asbestos-related lung cancer is the same as that for lung cancer generally.

 

Treatment is decided individually for each patient. If a person already has Pleural Thickening or Asbestosis i.e. either of these conditions are present, they can claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. Please see our DWP Benefits page