How Are Asbestos-Related Lung Diseases Treated?

No treatments can reverse the effects of asbestos on your lungs. However, treatments may help relieve symptoms and prevent or delay complications. If you have lung cancer, treatments may help slow the progress of the disease.

 

Treatments for Pleural Plaque, Pleural Effusion, and Asbestosis

If you have pleural plaque, pleural effusion, or asbestosis and you smoke, your doctor will advise you to quit smoking. People who have these conditions can lower their risk for lung cancer if they quit smoking.

 

If you have trouble breathing or shortness of breath and a very low blood oxygen level, your doctor may recommend oxygen therapy. For this treatment, you're given oxygen through nasal prongs. Oxygen therapy may be done at home or in a hospital or other health facility.

 

If excess fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) is making it hard for you to breathe, your doctor may do a procedure called thoracentesis.

 

For this procedure, your doctor will insert a thin needle or plastic tube into the space between your lungs and chest wall. He or she will then draw out the excess fluid.

 

Treatments for Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma

If you have lung cancer or mesothelioma, your treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these treatments.

 

Targeted therapy uses medicines or other substances to find and attack specific lung cancer cells without harming normal cells.

 

You also may be treated with medicines to prevent fluid buildup, ease pain, or relieve other complications of your disease.

 

If you have lung cancer or mesothelioma, talk to your doctor about whether you should get flu and pneumonia vaccines. These vaccines can help lower your risk for lung infections.

 

How Can Asbestos-Related Lung Diseases Be Prevented?

You can prevent asbestos-related lung diseases by limiting your exposure to asbestos fibers. If your job requires you to work around asbestos, make sure to follow workplace rules for handling it. For example, make sure that air levels are measured and that you wear the proper respirator to avoid breathing in asbestos fibers.

 

If you live in a house or work in a building that has pipes or other products containing asbestos, you generally don’t need to take special precautions.

 

Being around products that contain asbestos isn’t a danger, as long as the asbestos is enclosed. This prevents the fibers from escaping into the air.

 

If you smoke, quit. Smoking greatly increases your risk for lung cancer if you have pleural plaque, pleural effusion, or asbestosis.

 

Talk to your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit smoking. Also, try to avoid secondhand smoke.

 

Living With Asbestos-Related Lung Diseases

The outlook for people who have asbestos-related lung diseases varies. It will depend on which disease they have and how much it has damaged their lungs.

 

No treatments can reverse the effects of asbestos on your lungs. However, treatments may help relieve symptoms and prevent complications. If you have lung cancer, treatments may help slow the progress of the disease.

 

Ongoing Care

If you have an asbestos-related lung disease, you'll need routine followup care for the rest of your life. This may include chest x rays and lung function tests every 3 to 5 years.

 

Follow your treatment plan as your doctor prescribes. Call your doctor if you notice new or worsening symptoms. Talk to your doctor about whether you should get flu and pneumonia vaccines. These vaccines can help lower your risk for lung infections. Avoiding lung infections can help prevent other, more serious complications.

 

If you smoke, quit. Smoking raises your risk for lung cancer if you have pleural plaque, pleural effusion, or asbestosis.

 

Talk to your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit smoking. Also, try to avoid secondhand smoke.

 

Emotional Issues and Support

Living with an asbestos-related lung disease may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. It's important to talk about how you feel with your health care team. Talking to a professional counselor also can help. If you're feeling very depressed, your health care team or counselor may prescribe medicines to make you feel better.

 

Joining a patient support group may help you adjust to living with an asbestos-related lung disease. You can see how other people who have the same symptoms have coped with them. Talk to your doctor about local support groups or check with an area medical center.

 

Support from family and friends also can help relieve stress and anxiety. Let your loved ones know how you feel and what they can do to help you.

 

Key Points

 

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."