Anyone exposed to asbestos can run the risk of either a mesothelioma diagnosis or a cáncer de pulmón diagnosis later in life. But while these two types of cancers can relate to asbestos, they have notable differences. Knowing how mesothelioma and cáncer de pulmón compare to one another can help inform us of how they are treated, what the survival rates are, and how asbestos victims can receive compensation for either illness. Here’s what you should know about the differences between mesothelioma and cáncer de pulmón. 

How Mesothelioma and Cáncer de pulmón Are Similar

Asbestos exposure can take place entirely under the radar. 

First, exposed asbestos fibers are microscopic, meaning that to the human eye, these fibers are invisible. 

Having prior knowledge of the danger of asbestos exposure in the area, such as a workplace or living place, can help alert people to the potential dangers of asbestos fibers, but this can often occur unsuspectingly. 

Second, these invisible asbestos fibers have no smell or taste, so even if someone is unable to see airborne asbestos fibers, they would not be able to use their senses to know whether they are being exposed. 

This point is critical for people to understand about asbestos because the way asbestos fibers make it into the human body is either by swallowing or inhaling them. 

Thirdly, asbestos exposure has a long latency. 

This means that for many people, swallowing or inhaling asbestos fibers does not bring about exposure symptoms in the immediate future. In fact, asbestos exposure symptoms often take several decades to develop, with some latency timelines lasting as long as fifty years! For all intents and purposes, people exposed to asbestos may live their lives normally without any awareness of the deadly fibers lying dormant in their bodies. Over time, however, exposure symptoms begin to show. 

Malignant Exposure Diseases

Even though “All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans”, not everyone exposed to asbestos will go on to develop cáncer. There is a whole range of asbestos diseases that are not cancerous, but the fact that asbestos is a carcinogen means that any exposure risk is a real risk of developing cáncer. 

Among the various types of malignant asbestos diseases, mesothelioma and cáncer de pulmón are some of the most common- and the most severe. This is one of the most important similarities between the two diseases. It is estimated that asbestos exposure causes six times more cáncer de pulmón than malignant mesothelioma,7 and mesothelioma deaths are estimated to be 38,400 per year worldwide.

Asbestos accounts for far more cáncer de pulmón than mesothelioma (cáncer of the respiratory lining).

Taking these two statistics into account, cáncer de pulmón is considered the most common type of malignant disease caused by asbestos exposure, but the rising cases of mesothelioma make both cancers a great concern for victims. With that in mind, it is important to consider some key differences.

How Mesothelioma and Cáncer de pulmón are Different

First, it should be noted that mesothelioma is not the same thing as cáncer de pulmón. It’s understandable why mesothelioma can be confused with cáncer de pulmón, since most mesothelioma cases are directly related to the lungs. However, the term mesothelioma is derived from the word mesotelio– the protective tissue in the body that surrounds various organs. The mesothelium is found in several places in the body, and at least four specific types of mesothelioma cáncer have been identified and termed as the following:

  • Mesotelioma pleural: Cáncer of the mesothelium surrounding the lungs. 
  • Mesotelioma peritoneal: cáncer of the mesothelium surrounding the abdomen. 
  • Mesotelioma Testicular: cáncer of the mesothelium surrounding the testicles. 
  • Mesotelioma pericárdico: cáncer of the mesothelium surrounding the heart. 

The reason that mesothelioma is often mistaken for cáncer de pulmón is probably because pleural mesothelioma accounts for over 70 percent of all mesothelioma cases. In summary, “mesothelioma” is actually an umbrella term used to describe at least for different types of cáncer associated with the mesothelium. However, the overwhelming majority of the time, mesothelioma is used shorthand to refer to pleural mesothelioma.

Cáncer de pulmón vs. Cáncer Surrounding the Lungs

Certainly, any cáncer involving the lungs is severe, since we rely on our lungs to survive. However, mesothelioma (pleural mesothelioma) refers to cáncer of the tissue surrounding the lungs while cáncer de pulmón refers to cáncer within the lungs. At face value, we might expect cáncer inside our lungs to be more devastating, compared to cáncer surrounding the lungs, but it turns out that mesothelioma is actually much more aggressive by comparison.

Both are aggressive and potentially fatal.

This is certainly not to suggest that cáncer de pulmón is not dangerous or potentially deadly, but it is worth noting the prognosis of someone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. As it stands, mesothelioma is a terminal cáncer that does not currently have a medical cure available. Regardless of how old someone is, the common denominator for mesothelioma symptoms is the aggressive nature once they start. Survival rates average less than two years from the time of diagnosis. Because of this, it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible for the best outcome and quality of life.

What About Smoking?

There is a close connection between cáncer de pulmón, asbestos, and smoking. According to research, smokers have a much higher risk of cáncer de pulmón if they are also exposed to asbestos. This has to do with the already compromised health and strength of the lungs if asbestos fibers are already present. Adding smoking to the already dangerous equation of asbestos exposure can mean that lung damage happens at an accelerating rate. 

This point has been misunderstood by some, leading them to believe that smokers are ineligible for receiving asbestos compensation. There is indeed a synergistic relationship between smoking and asbestos exposure for causing cáncer de pulmón. In fact asbestos exposure makes smokers as much as five times more likely to develop cáncer de pulmón. Despite this, no one who smokes is disqualified from receiving asbestos compensation.  

Getting Compensation

Both mesothelioma and cáncer de pulmón can be caused by asbestos exposure, and both types of cáncer are extremely dangerous. While they are not equal diseases, both need to be treated as quickly as possible- and both can be expensive. The good news is that an abogado de asbesto can help you get the financial compensation you need to receive medical treatment and leave a legacy for loved ones. Reach out to our professional today, without filing a lawsuit or appearing in court, entirely risk-free.