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Occupational Lung Diseases: Prognosis
The prognosis for Mesothelioma, Asbestosis, Silicosis, Pneumconiosis,Byssinosis is not encouraging. These diseases are the result of inhalation of hazardous substances. Any worker exposed to harmful substances should take out a hazardous material insurance to safeguard himself and his family.

Mesothelioma: Malignant mesothelioma normally leads to death within two years of detection of the disease. In most cases the condition is detected only after the tumor has spread over a large area of the pleura, there is no effective treatment. If the tumor is still small, when discovered, it can be surgically removed for a complete cure, but such cases are rare.

Asbestosis: None of the asbestos related diseases, including asbestosis, can be reversed. Wide-spread scarring in the lung tissues, from inhalation of asbestos particles, can cause breathlessness and discomfort in the people who are affected. Severe cases can lead to death.

Diffuse Pleural Thickening: This condition significantly reduces the ability of the lungs to efficiently deliver oxygen to the blood, and can lead to lung cancer.

People with asbestos related lung disease are very susceptible to getting primary lung cancer. About 4 out of every 10 people with asbestosis or diffuse pleural thickening will eventually die of lung cancer.

Byssinosis: This disease is becoming less common in the developed countries, with the decline of the textile industry, but is common in cotton producing countries, like India.

It is rarely a life threatening condition, despite the extreme discomfort caused by shortness of breath. In extreme conditions respiratory failure may be caused.

Pneumconiosis: In severe cases pneumacontiosis may lead to heart failure resulting from lung damage. In a variant of this condition, it may develop into a condition known as progressive massive fibrosis - the damage affecting the upper parts of the lungs. Complications that may further ensue are emphysema and lung cancer. Anyone in an advanced stage of the disease is at increased risk of premature death.



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