Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

aspergillosis 185
The diagnostic path includes comprehensive
work and health histories, physical examination
including AUSCULTATION, chest X-rays, and sometimes
other diagnostic imaging procedures such as
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN or MAGNETIC RESO-
NANCE IMAGING (MRI). Finger clubbing, in which the
ends of the fingers become thick, rales (crackling
BREATH SOUNDS), and CYANOSIS (bluish hue to the
lips and SKIN that signals inadequate oxygenation)
are common signs of lung damage typical of lung
diseases such as asbestosis. Doctors assign a
numeric classification from grade 0 to grade 4 to
indicate the severity of damage, along with letter
designations A, B, or C to identify the extent of
lung structure affected.
Treatment Options and Outlook
Treatment for asbestosis is largely supportive, as it
is not possible to remove the fibers once they
embed in the lungs. SMOKING CESSATION is of prime
importance, as cigarette smoking in combination
with asbestos exposure greatly increases the likelihood
of lung cancer. Treatment also targets specific
concerns or other problems as they arise.
Generalized efforts to promote pulmonary health,
such as BREATHING EXERCISES and regular physical
activity to improve AEROBIC CAPACITY, increase the
efficiency of undamaged lung tissue.
Because the latency period (time between
exposure and symptoms) is so long, damage to the
lungs can be quite extensive by the time symptoms
become apparent. People who know they
have had exposure to asbestos should have regular
pulmonary examinations to monitor for
asbestosis. Though asbestosis can be fatal, many
people live without significant complications due
to the condition. The most significant consequence
of asbestosis is lung cancer, including
mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer that only
occurs with asbestos exposure.
Risk Factors and Preventive Measures
Asbestosis only occurs as a consequence of
asbestos exposure, so eliminating exposure eliminates
the risk of developing the condition. Preventive
measures for those who continue to have
occupational exposure include appropriate protective
clothing and respirators.
See also ANTHRACOSIS; BERYLLIOSIS; BYSSINOSIS; LIV-
ING WITH CHRONIC PULMONARY CONDITIONS; SILICOSIS;
SMOKING AND PULMONARY DISEASE.
aspergillosis An opportunistic fungal (yeast)
INFECTION that can manifest as PNEUMONIA in people
who have HIV/AIDS, are undergoing CHEMOTHERAPY
to treat cancer, receive IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE THERAPY
ASBESTOSIS SEVERITY
Grade Severity Extent of Lung Damage
grade 0 asymptomatic asbestos fibers present but no fibrosis
grade 1 mild damage fibrosis limited to bronchi and bronchioles, no alveolar involvement
grade 2 moderate damage fibrosis extends to alveoli
grade 3 serious damage fibrosis extends between alveolar clusters
grade 4 severe damage fibrosis obliterates alveoli, replacing them with honeycombed SCAR tissue
grade a mild involvement scattered bronchial structures are involved
grade B moderate involvement fewer than half the bronchial structures are involved
grade C severe involvement greater than half the bronchial structures are involved