ASbestos

Question 1

most common form of asbestos-related lung disease

Answer 1

pleural plaques

Question 2

Pleural plaques require regular follow-up. TRUE/FALSE

Answer 2

FALSE
benign and do not undergo malignant change

Question 3

How soon after work with asbestos do pleural plaques occur?

Answer 3

generally occur after a latent period of 20-40 years.

Question 4

What change does asbestosis cause in the lungs

Answer 4

Lower lobe fibrosis

Question 5

Length of asbestos exposure is directly related to severity of asbestosis. TRUE/FALSE

Answer 5

TRUE

(unlike mesothelioma where small exposure can cause poor disease)

Question 6

How long after working with asbestos does asbestosis usually present?

Answer 6

15-30 years

Question 7

Clinical features of asbestosis?

Answer 7

• dyspnoea
• reduced exercise tolerance
• clubbing
• bilateral end-inspiratory crackles

Question 8

Results found on pulmonary function tests in asbestosis

Answer 8

• restrictive pattern with reduced gas transfer

Question 9

Management of asbestosis

Answer 9

treated conservatively - no interventions offer a significant benefit.

Question 10

What is mesothelioma? from which type of asbestos does this usually occur?

Answer 10

• malignant disease of the pleura
• Crocidolite (blue) asbestos is the most dangerous form.

Question 11

Clinical features of mesothelioma

Answer 11

• progressive breathlessness
• chest pain
• pleural effusion

Question 12

Treatment options in mesthelioma

Answer 12

• palliative chemotherapy
• limited role for surgery and radiotherapy

Question 13

Prognosis of mesothelioma from diagnosis

Answer 13

median survival from diagnosis of 8-14 months.

Question 14

Mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer associated with asbestos exposure. TRUE/FALSE?

Answer 14

FALSE
lung cancer is actually the most common form of cancer associated with asbestos

• increased risk with cigarette smoking