Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
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Learning Objectives |
Upon completion of this section, you should be able to:
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Introduction |
In general, asbestos-associated diseases such as asbestosis and pleural plaques are not treatable. Management focuses on prevention and amelioration of symptoms whether the patient is asymptomatic or already ill. Therefore, the primary goals are to
Patients who are symptomatic may need documentation of impairments caused by asbestos-associated disease for the purpose of filing for worker compensation, social security disability, or other claims. Degree of disability should be stated in the terms required by the program to which the patient is applying. Recording these impairments is an important task and may require the assistance of a specialist. To locate a specialist, please refer to the Web resources listed under Where Can I Find More Information? at the end of this CSEM The remainder of this section focuses on patient care. |
All Exposed Patients |
Care of patients who have been exposed to asbestos, whether or not they are symptomatic, involves routine follow up to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention. This includes
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Parenchymal Asbestosis |
Parenchymal asbestosis is irreversible, and the rate of disease progression varies (American Thoracic Society 2004). Currently, there is no effective treatment. Patients with advanced disease and hypoxemia at rest, during exercise, or during sleep will benefit from continuous home oxygen therapy, which can prevent or attenuate cor pulmonale. However, primary management strategies for parenchymal asbestosis are listed below
Patients should be monitored periodically (per doctor-patient consultation) for disease progression and closely observed for asbestos-associated malignancies such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and gastrointestinal cancers (American Thoracic Society 2004). |
Pleural Abnormalities |
Pleural plaques are benign, but they can occasionally result in pulmonary impairment. In addition, patients with asbestos-related pleural abnormalities are likely to have or eventually get parenchymal asbestosis or asbestos related cancers. Therefore, management of asbestos-related pleural abnormalities involves monitoring for parenchymal asbestosis and the general strategies listed for all patients. |
Mesothelioma |
Diffuse malignant mesothelioma is almost always fatal. According to the British Thoracic Society, the mean life expectancy following diagnosis is 8 to 14 months (British Thoracic Society 2001). For more information about the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma, see:
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Lung Cancer |
The treatment and management of asbestos-associated lung cancer is the same as that of lung cancer from other causes. |
Key Points |
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Progress Check |