Asbestos Cancer Overview
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral known for its heat and corrosion resistance. Exposure to asbestos can lead to several types of cancer, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, stomach cancer, and asbestosis. All forms of asbestos are considered carcinogenic by major international health agencies, including the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
This page outlines the cancers caused by asbestos exposure and explains how asbestos fibers trigger these conditions.
Asbestos exposure can take decades to manifest as cancer, making early detection difficult and diagnosis often delayed.
Types of Cancers Caused by Asbestos
Lung Cancer
Asbestos-related lung cancer causes roughly 6,000 deaths annually in the United States, making it one of the deadliest asbestos-linked diseases. Asbestos exposure increases lung cancer risk nearly sixfold compared to mesothelioma, and fibers intensify this risk even further.
Lung cancer typically develops 15 to 35 years after exposure. High-risk groups include veterans, shipyard workers, construction workers, miners, firefighters, and those in heavy industry.
All asbestos fiber types—long, thin, or short—can cause lung cancer. Asbestos-related lung cancer is classified into two major categories:
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Represents 80%–85% of cases and includes:
• Squamous cell carcinoma (airway lining cells)
• Large cell carcinoma (can occur anywhere in the lung)
• Adenocarcinoma (glandular tissue of the alveoli)
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Represents 10%–15% of cases and spreads rapidly, often before symptoms appear.
Common symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and coughing up blood.
Throat or Laryngeal Cancer
Laryngeal cancer is a rare cancer affecting the throat. Asbestos exposure increases the risk by nearly 40%, and smoking or alcohol use further elevates this risk. A 2006 National Institutes of Health report confirmed the link between asbestos and throat cancer.
Asbestos fibers can embed in the larynx, causing genetic mutations that lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Symptoms include hoarseness, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and ear pain.
Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer can develop when asbestos fibers are swallowed and irritate the stomach lining. Workers in construction, demolition, milling, mining, and veterans are at elevated risk.
Types of asbestos-related stomach cancer include:
Lymphoma: Tumors forming in stomach lymph nodes.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): Tumors arising from interstitial cells of Cajal in the stomach lining.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease—not a cancer—caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. These fibers scar lung tissue, preventing normal expansion and contraction. Symptoms typically appear decades after exposure.
Common symptoms include persistent coughing, chest pain, tightness, and shortness of breath. Some patients also develop nail abnormalities or finger clubbing.
