{"id":22735,"date":"2023-10-13T14:59:12","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T18:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?page_id=22735"},"modified":"2025-12-11T09:55:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T14:55:36","slug":"pleural-diseases","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/asbestos\/related-diseases\/pleural-diseases\/","title":{"rendered":"Asbestos-Related Pleural Diseases"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>What Are Asbestos-Related Pleural Diseases?<\/h2>\n<p>Pleural diseases are health problems that start in the pleura, or lung lining.<\/p>\n<p>Anyone exposed to <a href=\"\/asbestos\/\">asbestos<\/a> in the workplace or at home is at risk of breathing in or swallowing asbestos fibers. When these fibers get trapped in the pleura, they can lead to inflammation and scarring.<\/p>\n<p>Over time, the harmful effects of asbestos can trigger benign (non-cancerous) and\/or malignant (cancerous) pleural diseases.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Asbestos-related pleural diseases include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/\">Mesothelioma<\/a> (cancer in lung lining)<\/li>\n<li>Pleural effusion (fluid buildup in lung lining)<\/li>\n<li>Pleural plaques (buildups of protein in lung lining)<\/li>\n<li>Pleural thickening (scarred lung lining)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Asbestos pleural diseases have a long <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/latency-period\/\">latency period<\/a>, taking 10-50 years to develop after asbestos exposure. However, some of these diseases, particularly pleural mesothelioma cancer, are serious and even deadly.<\/p>\n<p>If you or a loved one has a pleural disease or illness, <strong>download our Free Asbestos Products Guide<\/strong> to learn how you may have been exposed to this dangerous mineral and what you can do next.<\/p>\n<div data-vqueid=\"18408\" class=\"widget widget_oscar-vque default image-left has-img\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"default\">.widget_oscar-vque.default{margin:60px auto;max-width:315px}.widget_oscar-vque.default:first-child{margin-top:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a{background:#2F293D;display:block;padding:20px;border-radius:10px;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}.widget_oscar-vque.default img{margin:0 auto 20px;max-width:150px;width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.default .vque-content{font-size:16px;text-align:center}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.subheading{display:block;line-height:1;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:5px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.heading{font-size:20px;display:block;margin:0 0 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul{font-size:16px;text-align:left;list-style:none;max-width:265px;line-height:1.4;margin:15px auto 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li{padding-left:28px;margin-bottom:10px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li:before{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;font-display:swap;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e904\";border:none;position:absolute;left:0;top:0;background:#0FAEBF;width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:20px;line-height:20px;text-align:center;font-size:12px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.button.arrow{width:100%}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.widget_oscar-vque.default{max-width:620px}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a{padding:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a>div{display:block;display:flex;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap;flex-direction:row-reverse}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a>div>div{padding:0 25px 0 0;width:41%}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a .vque-content{width:59%;padding:30px;text-align:left}.widget_oscar-vque.default img{max-width:90%;margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.subheading{font-size:16px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.heading{font-size:24px;margin:0 0 16px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul{max-width:none}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.button.arrow{width:auto}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div{display:block;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div img{max-width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div{float:left}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div:first-child{width:27%;padding:30px}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div.vque-content{width:73%;padding-left:0}}<\/style><a href=\"\/asbestos-guide\/\" title=\"Free Asbestos Products Guide\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Free Asbestos Products Guide Ad\" data-desktop-image=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Guide-Mock_badge-e1619618205486.png\"><div><div><div class=\"image-fade\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"323\" height=\"332\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Guide-Mock_badge-e1619618205486.png\" class=\"attachment-Medium size-Medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"Free Guide\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Guide-Mock_badge-e1619618205486.png 323w, https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Guide-Mock_badge-e1619618205486-292x300.png 292w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 323px) 100vw, 323px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vque-content\"><strong class=\"subheading\">Download Your Asbestos Guide<\/strong><strong class=\"heading\">Free Asbestos Products Guide<\/strong><ul>\n<li>Asbestos safety info<\/li>\n<li>Products containing asbestos<\/li>\n<li>Common exposure risks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Your Free Guide\">Get Your Free Guide<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"types\">Types of Asbestos-Related Pleural Diseases<\/h2>\n<p>There are several types of asbestos pleural diseases. Each type has its own symptoms, prognosis (health outcome), and treatment options. Learn about the different diseases below.<\/p>\n<h3>Pleural Mesothelioma<\/h3>\n<p>Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that develops in the pleura. <strong>The only known cause of pleural mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/\">Pleural mesothelioma<\/a> causes symptoms such as chest pain, chronic coughing, and shortness of breath. Symptoms get worse as the cancer spreads.<\/p>\n<p>Pleural mesothelioma patients have an average life expectancy of 18 months, but an early diagnosis and treatment can help some patients become long-term survivors.<\/p>\n<div class=\"callout-shortcode\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.callout-shortcode{background:#EDF8F9;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 24px;margin:40px 0;max-width:860px;position:relative}.callout-shortcode:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #EDF8F9 100%)}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{color:#100134;font-size:22px;display:block;margin:0 0 15px}.callout-shortcode:first-child{margin-top:0}.callout-shortcode:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:20px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding-top:17px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:74px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{left:22px;position:absolute;top:20px;width:59px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background:#fff url(\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mh-icon-65.png);background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:70%;border-radius:30px;bottom:-10px;content:\"\";display:block;height:30px;position:absolute;right:-10px;width:30px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.callout-shortcode{padding:25px 25px 25px 34px}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{font-size:24px}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode.has-img{min-height:170px;padding-left:175px}.callout-shortcode.has-img .img-wrap{position:absolute;left:29px;top:25px;width:119px}.callout-shortcode.hope.has-img{padding-left:170px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding:0}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{width:109px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background-size:66%;bottom:-15px;height:42px;width:42px}}<\/style><div class=\"content\"><p>Mesothelioma Hope can help you find top doctors, treatments, and compensation for pleural mesothelioma. Call <a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a> now to get started.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h3>Diffuse Pleural Thickening<\/h3>\n<p>Diffuse or widespread <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/pleural-thickening\/\">pleural thickening<\/a> occurs when the pleura hardens due to scarring (pleural fibrosis). The scarring and thickening develop because asbestos fibers constantly irritate the pleura after exposure.<\/p>\n<p>Pleural thickening is often seen in cases of other asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<h3>Pleural Effusions<\/h3>\n<p>An <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/effusion\/\">asbestos pleural effusion<\/a> is a buildup of fluid between the two layers of the lung lining (the pleural space). Pleural effusions cause pain and swelling.<\/p>\n<p>Doctors can drain the fluid to ease symptoms. If the pleural effusion is caused by another pleural disease such as mesothelioma, it may build up again, so doctors might need to drain it more than once.<\/p>\n<h3>Pleural Plaques<\/h3>\n<p>Pleural plaques are the most common asbestos-related disease. They are small clumps of a protein called collagen that form in the lining of the lungs. These lesions form as part of the body\u2019s reaction to asbestos exposure.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike other asbestos-related pleural diseases, <strong>pleural plaques don\u2019t cause symptoms and are harmless.<\/strong> Those with <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/pleural-plaque\/\">pleural plaques<\/a> from asbestos can live just as long as those without.<\/p>\n<p>However, people with asbestos-induced pleural plaques could be at risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos pleural diseases due to their exposure.<\/p>\n<h2>Risk Factors for Asbestos-Related Pleural Diseases<\/h2>\n<p>The number one risk factor for asbestos-related pleural diseases is <strong>exposure to asbestos.<\/strong> Anyone exposed to asbestos could develop a pleural disease later in their life. Still, the risks are greater for some groups of people than others.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Those at a very high risk of asbestos pleural diseases include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Blue-collar workers:<\/strong> Before the early 1980s, blue-collar jobs like construction and shipyard work relied on asbestos (as the risks of asbestos were hidden by companies). Many workers who suffered occupational exposure to asbestos now have pleural diseases.<\/li>\n<li><strong>People in poor health:<\/strong> Those with pre-existing health problems could be at a higher risk of an asbestos-related pleural disease.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/veterans\/\">U.S. veterans<\/a>:<\/strong> The U.S. Armed Forces used tons of asbestos products prior to the early 1980s. Since asbestos-related pleural diseases take decades to develop, many veterans exposed to asbestos during their military service are just now being diagnosed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve been exposed to asbestos decades ago, it&#8217;s important to watch out for possible signs of pleural diseases as you age and to see a doctor promptly.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"symptoms\">Symptoms of Asbestos Pleural Diseases<\/h2>\n<p>Signs and symptoms of asbestos pleural diseases typically develop 10 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Symptoms can vary depending on which asbestos-related pleural disease a patient has.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Asbestos pleural diseases have similar symptoms, such as:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<ul class='columns-2'>\n<li>Breathlessness (dyspnea)<\/li>\n<li>Chest pain<\/li>\n<li>Chronic coughing<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty breathing<\/li>\n<li>Fever<\/li>\n<li>Night sweats<\/li>\n<li>Shortness of breath<\/li>\n<li>Weight loss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<p>You may be able to pursue compensation if you&#8217;re diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. <strong>Get a free case review right now to learn about your options.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"23977\" class=\"one-off-23977 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"23977\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-23977{margin:60px auto}.one-off-23977 a{text-decoration:none;color:inherit;display:block;font-size:16px;line-height:24px;margin:0 auto;max-width:695px}.one-off-23977 a>div{background:linear-gradient(180deg,#0FAEBF 0,rgba(129,208,217,0) 100%);border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;max-width:335px;position:relative;margin:0 auto;box-shadow:0 1px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.25)}.one-off-23977 .vque-content{margin-left:5px;background:#fff;padding:20px;padding-top:190px;border-radius:0 9px 10px 0}.one-off-23977 .heading{font-size:20px;line-height:26px;display:block;margin-bottom:13px}.one-off-23977 p:not(:last-child){margin-bottom:20px}.one-off-23977 .button{padding:13px 16px}.one-off-23977 .image-wrap{position:absolute;top:20px;left:25px;max-width:280px}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-23977 a>div{max-width:700px;margin:0}.one-off-23977 .vque-content{padding:25px;padding-right:355px}.one-off-23977 .heading{font-size:24px;line-height:33px}.one-off-23977 .image-wrap{max-width:318px;top:50%;transform:translateY(-50%);right:20px;left:unset}}<\/style><a href=\"\/asbestos\/free-asbestos-case-review\/\" title=\"Get Compensation for an Asbestos-Related Disease\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Compensation for an Asbestos-Related Disease Ad\"><div>\r\n    <div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n        <strong class=\"heading\">Get Compensation for an Asbestos-Related Disease<\/strong>\r\n       <p>You may be owed money if you became ill after asbestos exposure.<\/p>\r\n        <p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get a Free Case Review\">Get a Free Case Review<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/lawyers-talking-to-client.jpg\" alt=\"Free Case Review\" class=\"lazyload\" ><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Diagnosing Pleural Diseases Caused by Asbestos<\/h2>\n<p>To find out if you have an asbestos-related pleural disease, your health care provider will perform several tests to properly diagnose you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tests to diagnose pleural illnesses include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A basic medical exam<\/strong> to see what symptoms you have and when they started.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chest X-rays<\/strong> (radiography scans) that use low doses of radiation to create pictures of the inside of your chest cavity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Computed tomography scans (CT scans),<\/strong> which are computer-guided imaging scans that are more detailed than X-rays. Radiology professionals can use high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans to look for chest abnormalities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Other tests<\/strong> like blood tests, ultrasounds, and pulmonary lung function tests. Which tests are done depends on the nature of your case.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If doctors believe you have mesothelioma or any other type of cancer after running these tests, they will order a biopsy.<\/p>\n<p>A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of cells from your body so it can be tested in a lab for cancer and other diseases. <strong>A biopsy is the only way to confirm a cancer diagnosis.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Prognosis of Asbestos Pleural Diseases<\/h2>\n<p>Your prognosis depends on which asbestos-related disease you have.<\/p>\n<p>Some asbestos-related pleural diseases don\u2019t affect your life expectancy. For example, asbestos pleural effusions are uncomfortable but not fatal. However, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer can all be life-threatening.<\/p>\n<p>Pleural mesothelioma has the worst prognosis of all asbestos-related pleural diseases since it\u2019s a very aggressive cancer. <strong>But don\u2019t give up hope:<\/strong> long-term survival is possible with treatment from a <a href=\"\/treatment\/doctors\/\">mesothelioma doctor<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"treat\">Treatment for Asbestos Pleural Diseases<\/h2>\n<p>Treatments for asbestos-related pleural diseases can ease your symptoms and possibly help you live longer. Which treatments will work best in your case depends on the disease you have.<\/p>\n<p>Learn about common treatments used for asbestos pleural diseases below.<\/p>\n<h3>Chemotherapy<\/h3>\n<p>Chemotherapy drugs kill fast-growing cancerous cells. Doctors usually use two <a href=\"\/treatment\/chemotherapy\/\">chemotherapy<\/a> drugs to treat pleural mesothelioma: pemetrexed and cisplatin.<\/p>\n<h3>Pleural Catheter<\/h3>\n<p>If you have repeated pleural effusions, health care professionals may insert a pleural catheter. This will allow you and your caregivers to drain the effusion at home without the need for multiple hospital visits.<\/p>\n<h3>Pleurodesis<\/h3>\n<p>This is used to treat pleural effusions that keep coming back despite other treatments. Through a <a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/pleurodesis\/\">pleurodesis<\/a>, doctors insert medical talcum powder into the pleural space. This causes the two layers of the pleura to stick together, preventing fluid buildup.<\/p>\n<h3>Radiation Therapy<\/h3>\n<p>Radiation therapy involves using high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. Cancer doctors may use <a href=\"\/treatment\/radiation\/\">radiation therapy<\/a> to treat pleural mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<h3>Surgery<\/h3>\n<p>Doctors can use several surgical procedures to treat asbestos-related pleural diseases.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Common surgeries for asbestos pleural diseases include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/extrapleural-pneumonectomy\/\"><strong>Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)<\/strong><\/a> removes the lung nearest to the cancer, the pleura, and all cancer tumors that doctors can see.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/pleurectomy-decortication\/\"><strong>Pleurectomy with decortication (P\/D)<\/strong><\/a> allows doctors to remove the pleura and cancer tumors from the chest wall. Neither lung is removed.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/thoracentesis\/\"><strong>Thoracentesis<\/strong><\/a> uses a needle to remove air or fluid around the lungs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thoracostomy<\/strong> is a procedure for placing a chest tube. The chest tube drains air or fluid out of the pleural space. Doctors can use thoracostomy to treat pleural effusions and pneumothorax.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"callout-shortcode\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.callout-shortcode{background:#EDF8F9;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 24px;margin:40px 0;max-width:860px;position:relative}.callout-shortcode:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #EDF8F9 100%)}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{color:#100134;font-size:22px;display:block;margin:0 0 15px}.callout-shortcode:first-child{margin-top:0}.callout-shortcode:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:20px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding-top:17px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:74px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{left:22px;position:absolute;top:20px;width:59px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background:#fff url(\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mh-icon-65.png);background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:70%;border-radius:30px;bottom:-10px;content:\"\";display:block;height:30px;position:absolute;right:-10px;width:30px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.callout-shortcode{padding:25px 25px 25px 34px}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{font-size:24px}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode.has-img{min-height:170px;padding-left:175px}.callout-shortcode.has-img .img-wrap{position:absolute;left:29px;top:25px;width:119px}.callout-shortcode.hope.has-img{padding-left:170px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding:0}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{width:109px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background-size:66%;bottom:-15px;height:42px;width:42px}}<\/style><div class=\"content\"><p>Mesothelioma Hope can <strong>help you get compensation<\/strong> to cover the costs of surgeries and other treatments for asbestos-related pleural diseases. <a href=\"\/about\/contact\/\">Contact us now<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h3>Other Pleural Disease Treatment Options<\/h3>\n<p>Medical providers may recommend other <a href=\"\/treatment\/\">treatments<\/a> depending on your needs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>These options include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Immunotherapy<\/strong> uses substances made in a lab or by your body. These substances make it easier for your immune system to identify and kill mesothelioma cells.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Palliative care<\/strong> helps relieve pain for various asbestos-related pleural diseases. Medications, minor surgeries, and natural remedies are all considered palliative treatments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Targeted therapy<\/strong> uses drugs that attack certain vulnerabilities in mesothelioma cells.<\/li>\n<li><strong>TTFields<\/strong> are mild electrical fields that interrupt pleural mesothelioma cells\u2019 ability to divide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Depending on your illness, doctors may also recommend new treatments being tested in <a href=\"\/treatment\/clinical-trials\/\">clinical trials<\/a>. Talk to your doctor to learn more about clinical trials and whether they can help you.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"comp\">Compensation for Asbestos-Related Pleural Diseases<\/h2>\n<p>Treatments for asbestos pleural diseases are often expensive \u2014 even with insurance. Thankfully, <strong>Mesothelioma Hope can help you access financial compensation <\/strong>from different sources if you\u2019re eligible.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the main types of compensation for asbestos pleural diseases.<\/p>\n<h3>Asbestos Lawsuits<\/h3>\n<p>An asbestos lawsuit is used to demand compensation from the companies that made and sold asbestos-containing products. These companies knew the dangers of asbestos but hid them for decades.<\/p>\n<p>Victims receive <strong>$1 million<\/strong> or more on average from <a href=\"\/legal\/lawsuit\/\">asbestos lawsuits<\/a>, and nearly all of these cases settle out of court.<\/p>\n<p>Get a <strong>free case review<\/strong> today to see if you&#8217;re entitled to settlement payouts.<\/p>\n<div id=\"23977\" class=\"one-off-23977 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"23977\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-23977{margin:60px auto}.one-off-23977 a{text-decoration:none;color:inherit;display:block;font-size:16px;line-height:24px;margin:0 auto;max-width:695px}.one-off-23977 a>div{background:linear-gradient(180deg,#0FAEBF 0,rgba(129,208,217,0) 100%);border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;max-width:335px;position:relative;margin:0 auto;box-shadow:0 1px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.25)}.one-off-23977 .vque-content{margin-left:5px;background:#fff;padding:20px;padding-top:190px;border-radius:0 9px 10px 0}.one-off-23977 .heading{font-size:20px;line-height:26px;display:block;margin-bottom:13px}.one-off-23977 p:not(:last-child){margin-bottom:20px}.one-off-23977 .button{padding:13px 16px}.one-off-23977 .image-wrap{position:absolute;top:20px;left:25px;max-width:280px}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-23977 a>div{max-width:700px;margin:0}.one-off-23977 .vque-content{padding:25px;padding-right:355px}.one-off-23977 .heading{font-size:24px;line-height:33px}.one-off-23977 .image-wrap{max-width:318px;top:50%;transform:translateY(-50%);right:20px;left:unset}}<\/style><a href=\"\/asbestos\/free-asbestos-case-review\/\" title=\"Get Compensation for an Asbestos-Related Disease\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Compensation for an Asbestos-Related Disease Ad\"><div>\r\n    <div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n        <strong class=\"heading\">Get Compensation for an Asbestos-Related Disease<\/strong>\r\n       <p>You may be owed money if you became ill after asbestos exposure.<\/p>\r\n        <p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get a Free Case Review\">Get a Free Case Review<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/lawyers-talking-to-client.jpg\" alt=\"Free Case Review\" class=\"lazyload\" ><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h3>Asbestos Trust Fund Claims<\/h3>\n<p>Asbestos trust funds were set up by manufacturers of asbestos-containing products that went bankrupt. It\u2019s not possible to sue a bankrupt company, but victims can still get compensation by filing a trust fund claim.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Over $30 billion<\/strong> <strong>is currently available in <a href=\"\/legal\/asbestos-trust-funds\/\">asbestos trust funds<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0Patients with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related pleural diseases may be able to access some of this compensation.<\/p>\n<h3>VA Benefits Claims<\/h3>\n<p>The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers benefits for certain asbestos-related diseases, such as pleural mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p>Veterans with mesothelioma can often receive <strong>$4,158.17\u00a0a month<\/strong> from <a href=\"\/veterans\/va-benefits\/\">VA benefits<\/a> as well as free or reduced-cost medical care from VA doctors.<\/p>\n<h2>Get Help for Asbestos-Related Pleural Diseases<\/h2>\n<p>Mesothelioma Hope is here to help if you or a loved one is battling an asbestos pleural disease.<\/p>\n<p>Our caring nurses and Patient Advocates can connect you with emotional and financial support resources and help you pursue compensation for treatment if you qualify.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, you could receive <strong>$1 million or more<\/strong> if you\u2019re eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/asbestos\/free-asbestos-case-review\/\">Get a free case review<\/a> or call <a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a> now to speak directly with a Patient Advocate who can help.<\/p>\n<div class=\"faq-wrap\"><h2 class=\"faq-wrap-heading\">Asbestos-Related Pleural Diseases FAQs<\/h2><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"1\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">What is asbestos-related pleural disease?<\/h3><div><p>The three most notable lung or lung-related abnormalities caused by asbestos are <strong>mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mesothelioma<\/strong> cancer develops in the lining of the lungs and other organs, affects 3,000 people each year, and is very difficult to treat.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/cancer\/lung-cancer\/\"><strong>Asbestos-related lung cancer<\/strong><\/a> can develop if asbestos fibers get stuck in the lungs. Thousands die from asbestos lung cancer each year, according to the Environmental Working Group.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/asbestosis\/\"><strong>Asbestosis<\/strong><\/a> is a benign (non-cancerous) asbestos-related illness where the lung tissues slowly stiffen due to damage from asbestos fibers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Mesothelioma Hope may be able to help you get medical care and\/or financial aid for your illness. <a href=\"\/about\/contact\/\">Contact us today to learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"2\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">What are the four major asbestos-related diseases?<\/h3><div><p>Pleural mesothelioma is the signature lung disease caused by asbestos. This cancer forms in the lining of the lungs 10-50 years after asbestos exposure.<\/p>\n<p>Pleural mesothelioma has no cure but cancer treatments can help patients live longer.<\/p>\n<p>Asbestos can also cause lung cancer and asbestosis.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"3\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">What is asbestos-related pleural fibrosis?<\/h3><div><p>Pleural fibrosis occurs when the lining of the lungs thickens and hardens due to asbestos exposure.<\/p>\n<p>Asbestos fibers can get trapped in the lung lining and cause damage, which in turn leads to fibrosis. Pleural fibrosis is also known as diffuse pleural thickening.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"4\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">What is the difference between asbestosis and pleural plaques?<\/h3><div><p>Asbestosis and pleural plaques are two entirely different <a href=\"\/asbestos\/related-diseases\/\">asbestos-related diseases<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Asbestosis affects the lungs, slowly weakening them to the point where patients may eventually die. Pleural plaques form in the lung lining and don\u2019t cause any symptoms or health problems.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re worried you may have an asbestos-related disease, <strong>see a doctor right away<\/strong> to get diagnosed and treated.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"5\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">What is the life expectancy of lung diseases caused by asbestos?<\/h3><div><p><strong>It depends on which asbestos-related pleural disease you have.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nonmalignant pleural diseases such as pleural plaques usually don\u2019t affect your lifespan.<\/p>\n<p>However, severe pleural diseases may reduce your life expectancy. For example, pleural mesothelioma patients survive 18 months on average, but you can increase your life expectancy by getting a proper diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"What is asbestos-related pleural disease?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;The three most notable lung or lung-related abnormalities caused by asbestos are &lt;strong&gt;mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.&lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;ul&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mesothelioma&lt;\/strong&gt; cancer develops in the lining of the lungs and other organs, affects 3,000 people each year, and is very difficult to treat.&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Asbestos-related lung cancer&lt;\/strong&gt; can develop if asbestos fibers get stuck in the lungs. Thousands die from asbestos lung cancer each year, according to the Environmental Working Group.&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Asbestosis&lt;\/strong&gt; is a benign (non-cancerous) asbestos-related illness where the lung tissues slowly stiffen due to damage from asbestos fibers.&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;\/ul&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Mesothelioma Hope may be able to help you get medical care and\/or financial aid for your illness. Contact us today to learn more.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"What are the four major asbestos-related diseases?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;Pleural mesothelioma is the signature lung disease caused by asbestos. This cancer forms in the lining of the lungs 10-50 years after asbestos exposure.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Pleural mesothelioma has no cure but cancer treatments can help patients live longer.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Asbestos can also cause lung cancer and asbestosis.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"What is asbestos-related pleural fibrosis?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;Pleural fibrosis occurs when the lining of the lungs thickens and hardens due to asbestos exposure.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Asbestos fibers can get trapped in the lung lining and cause damage, which in turn leads to fibrosis. Pleural fibrosis is also known as diffuse pleural thickening.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"What is the difference between asbestosis and pleural plaques?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;Asbestosis and pleural plaques are two entirely different asbestos-related diseases.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Asbestosis affects the lungs, slowly weakening them to the point where patients may eventually die. Pleural plaques form in the lung lining and don\u2019t cause any symptoms or health problems.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;If you\u2019re worried you may have an asbestos-related disease, &lt;strong&gt;see a doctor right away&lt;\/strong&gt; to get diagnosed and treated.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"What is the life expectancy of lung diseases caused by asbestos?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It depends on which asbestos-related pleural disease you have.&lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Nonmalignant pleural diseases such as pleural plaques usually don\u2019t affect your lifespan.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;However, severe pleural diseases may reduce your life expectancy. For example, pleural mesothelioma patients survive 18 months on average, but you can increase your life expectancy by getting a proper diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}}]}<\/script><style type=\"text\/css\">.faq-wrap{background:#E4F4F6;padding:20px 15px;margin:40px -15px}.faq-wrap:first-child{margin-top:0}.faq-wrap:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.faq-wrap .faq{background:#fff;padding:15px;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0px 20px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.03);margin:15px 0 0 0}.faq-wrap .faq:first-child{margin-top:0}.faq-wrap .faq .faq-heading{color:#100134;font-size:21px;margin-bottom:15px}.faq-wrap .faq p{margin-bottom:20px;line-height:1.5}.faq-wrap .faq p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more{color:#248AFF;display:block;padding-right:17px;text-align:right;position:relative;line-height:1}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:visited{color:#248AFF}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:visited:hover,.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:hover{color:#34d}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:after{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e905\";position:absolute;right:0;top:3px}h2.faq-wrap-heading{margin-bottom:25px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.faq-wrap{padding:25px 15px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.faq-wrap{border-radius:10px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding:25px}.faq-wrap .faq{padding:25px}.faq-heading{font-size:24px}}<\/style><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Are Asbestos-Related Pleural Diseases? Pleural diseases are health problems that start in the pleura, or lung lining. Anyone exposed to asbestos in the workplace or at home is at risk of breathing in or swallowing asbestos fibers. When these fibers get trapped in the pleura, they can lead to inflammation and scarring. Over time,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"parent":17718,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-22735","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22735\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}