Asbestosis

[rdinvest]

I worked for many years with asbestosis, and numerous chemicals at steel plants and oil refineries. In 2001 I started receiving stents in my heart (5) for heart disease. Around 2002 I started having constant chest pains in my whole rib cage which I still have. For the last 3 years I have had phenumona and sever infections in my lungs. Recently an x ray has revealed a persistant spot in my lungs. I am now going to have a cat scan tomorrow. From the years 1964-1970 I worked for more then 5 companies handeling what we referred to has checkers (asbestos bricks) that were placed in coke ovens. We would also demolish old asbestos materials from Refineries, chemical plants, steel mills, I could go on and on. Many of my fellow workers have died from lung cancer. I think I probably have asbestosis at the least and prayfully not a Methoselanoma or other type of cancer.

[rdinvest]

Dear Doctor,

Thank you for the prompt resonse, The CT scan has revealed that I have a 2.8 x 2.2 hilar mass in my right lung. I previousy smoked but stopped around 10 years ago. I am know looking to have a bronchoscopic.
I do truly thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. The major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is caused due to long term exposure to inhaled asbestos fibers causing tissues to scar leading to respiratory compromise. Lung cancer is seen in people working in mining, milling, asbestos manufacture with symptoms being coughing, shortness of breath, persistent chest pain and anemia. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer found in lining of lung, chest, abdomen and heart and may not show up after years of asbestos exposure. The scar tissue can lead to hypertension in lungs called as pulmonary hypertension. and cor pulmonale or right heart failure . You will need repeat ct scans and possible biopsy of the spot to confirm the diagnosis and I cannot rule out cancer. Consult your pulmonologist for further update. Take care.