Pleural Thickening from Asbestos Exposure

The side effects of asbestos exposure manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Some people exposed to asbestos experience asbestos warts, pleural plaque, or pleural thickening. Other people experience more serious consequences, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Learn more about pleural thickening below.

What is pleural thickening?

Pleural thickening occurs when the pleura— the tissue surrounding the lungs and chest cavity—becomes scarred and damaged. Medically, widespread pleural thickening is referred to as diffuse pleural thickening. Pleural thickening may occur on the pleura surrounding the chest cavity wall or the pleura surrounding the lungs.

The pleura are naturally elastic, allowing a person to breathe. Pleural thickening diminishes that elastic quality, making breathing more difficult. What makes pleural thickening more serious than conditions such as asbestos warts or pleural plaque is that it is a permanent lung condition limiting the lungs’ ability to function. However, it is not as debilitating as asbestosis or as serious as lung cancer or mesothelioma.

X-rays may indicate an abnormality in the lungs, but doctors generally diagnose pleural thickening using ultrasound and CT scans. Thick tissue density in pleural thickening often indicates malignancy.

Pleural thickening in patients who have been exposed to asbestos may be an indication of mesothelioma. Pleural thickening and mesothelioma are often diagnosed together. Diffuse pleural thickening may also be a sign of asbestosis.

Treatment

Depending on whether pleural thickening is concurrent with other asbestos-related diseases, treatment for the condition varies. The thickening is not medically reversible, but there are various remedies to help the patient breathe better. One method is a bronchodilator, a substance used to dilate bronchial tubes to overcome constriction and allow for easier breathing. Use of steroids and antibiotics may also ease breathing.

When pleural thickening is associated with mesothelioma, most medical treatment is palliative and geared toward making the patient comfortable and providing relief, rather than curing the condition.