Asbestos Exposure: Organs Affected & Associated Diseases

Target Organs & Pathologies

1. Lungs & Pleura (Primary)

• Asbestosis: Diffuse interstitial fibrosis
• Lung cancer: Bronchogenic carcinoma (synergy with smoking)
• Pleural plaques: Benign fibrous thickening
• Pleural mesothelioma: Malignant, latency 20–50 yrs

2. Heart

• Coronary artery disease, constrictive pericarditis, heart failure (less direct, mediated by inflammation/fibrosis)

3. Gastrointestinal Tract

• Esophageal, gastric, colorectal cancers (swallowed fibers)

4. Kidneys

• Nephrosclerosis, renal cell carcinoma (fibers filtered/deposited)

5. Peritoneum

• Peritoneal mesothelioma (rare)

Key Points

• All asbestos types are carcinogenic (IARC Group 1).
• Latency is decades; no safe threshold.
• Surveillance for exposed workers: CXR/HRCT, spirometry, symptom review.