Pleural Plaque from Asbestos

There are many asbestos exposure risks, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. One of the physical conditions that can also result from asbestos exposure is pleural plaques.

What is pleural plaque?

Pleural refers to the lungs’ lining, and plaque is an abnormal patch of scarred tissue.  Membrane surfaces surrounding the lungs, chest wall, and diaphragm may all contain pleural plaque.  The plaque is an accumulation of fibrous tissue that often calcifies and appears as white-gray areas in X-rays or scans.  Calcification density allows for detection on an X-ray.  However, because not all pleural plaque calcifies, it may be invisible on an X-ray.

What is the cause of pleural plaque?

Asbestos is the main cause of pleural plaque.  While medical researchers have not verified the mechanism that triggers pleural plaque formation, a currently accepted theory is that the patient’s immune system responds to asbestos fibers by creating plaque.  Even after the asbestos exposure ends, the plaque continues to deposit, making the plaque grow denser and become more visible in X-rays.

Another plausible explanation is the immune system theory, which is based on the variations in how people’s immune systems respond to asbestos exposure.

Symptoms of pleural plaque

Except for shortness of breath, which some people may experience, pleural plaque has no symptoms.  It is benign, not cancerous, and has no significant health impairment.  The latency period between asbestos exposure and the development of pleural plaque is often 20 to 40 years, which is similar to the more serious asbestos-related diseases.

However, many people exposed to asbestos have pleural plaque and do not know it.   Many mesothelioma victims have greater amounts of pleural plaque than people who are free of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.  Yet, there are also people who develop mesothelioma or asbestosis without ever developing pleural plaque.

Medical research shows that individuals with pleural plaque have a greater tendency to develop mesothelioma than those without pleural plaque.  A person diagnosed with pleural plaque should receive frequent checkups that include pulmonary testing.  The sooner an asbestos-related disease is diagnosed, the better chance there is for early treatment, a better prognosis, and a more prolonged life.

Asbestos exposure is something to be aware of and to avoid.  Any asbestos exposure can be detrimental to your health.