Depending on the level of exposure experienced, one can develop different lung symptoms. High level, continuous, long-term exposure is more likely to result in asbestosis. On the other hand, low, intermittent exposure to asbestos is much more likely to result in malignant mesothelioma or pleural plaques.
While not a disease in the sense of cancer or asbestosis, pleural plaques are indicative of asbestos exposure. It is frequently the only indication of asbestos-exposure. While it is true that an individual with pleural plaques may not have asbestosis or mesothelioma, the opposite is not true. An individual with asbestosis will almost always have these as a symptom.
This result of asbestos exposure shows up as smooth, white, raised irregular areas of fibrous collagen tissue. The little nodules typically develop on the pleura (the sack that encloses the lungs, heart, or stomach), in particular the parietal pleura. The parietal pleura is the pleura that surrounds the lungs and the chest cavity and covers the diaphragm.
Once they have formed, pleural plaques frequently become calcified. Once they become calcified, they can be seen on chest x-rays. The calcium makes them much easier to see because they then appear more like bone. The plaques themselves vary in size. They can range anywhere from tiny little specs to larger spots on the pleura.
Pleural plaques is thought to be the most benign of the results of asbestos exposure. In and of themselves, pleural plaques are not known to cause symptoms or discomfort. However, in some lung function tests, an individual with pleural plaques has been known to have slightly different test results.
Another good thing is that these little calcified growths are not considered, generally, to be the early form of mesothelioma. Unlike moles and skin cancer, they are not pre-malignant. This does not mean that an individual that "only" has pleural plaques is not going to develop asbestosis or mesothelioma. As a visible indicator of asbestos exposure, they do signal that an individual has been exposed to asbestos and so is at a greater risk for its associated diseases. The plaques themselves do not need treatment but regular checkups should occur to ensure that nothing else develops and goes unnoticed.
Overall, pleural plaques is not a deadly cancer like mesothelioma and does not cause difficulty breathing like asbestosis. While generally more benign, individuals with these nodules should undergo regular exams for mesothelioma and asbestos.
For more information on pleural plaques and other repercussions of asbestos exposure, please visit http://www.mesolawsuit.com/articles
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