| Exposure to asbestos can result in a variety of | | | | more like bone. The plaques themselves vary in size. |
| consequences in a person. Depending on the level of | | | | They can range anywhere from tiny little specs to |
| exposure experienced, one can develop different lung | | | | larger spots on the pleura. |
| symptoms. High level, continuous, long-term exposure is | | | | Pleural plaques is thought to be the most benign of the |
| more likely to result in asbestosis. On the other hand, | | | | results of asbestos exposure. In and of themselves, |
| low, intermittent exposure to asbestos is much more | | | | pleural plaques are not known to cause symptoms or |
| likely to result in malignant mesothelioma or pleural | | | | discomfort. However, in some lung function tests, an |
| plaques. | | | | individual with pleural plaques has been known to have |
| While not a disease in the sense of cancer or | | | | slightly different test results. |
| asbestosis, pleural plaques are indicative of asbestos | | | | Another good thing is that these little calcified growths |
| exposure. It is frequently the only indication of | | | | are not considered, generally, to be the early form of |
| asbestos-exposure. While it is true that an individual | | | | mesothelioma. Unlike moles and skin cancer, they are |
| with pleural plaques may not have asbestosis or | | | | not pre-malignant. This does not mean that an individual |
| mesothelioma, the opposite is not true. An individual | | | | that "only" has pleural plaques is not going to develop |
| with asbestosis will almost always have these as a | | | | asbestosis or mesothelioma. As a visible indicator of |
| symptom. | | | | asbestos exposure, they do signal that an individual |
| This result of asbestos exposure shows up as | | | | has been exposed to asbestos and so is at a greater |
| smooth, white, raised irregular areas of fibrous collagen | | | | risk for its associated diseases. The plaques |
| tissue. The little nodules typically develop on the pleura | | | | themselves do not need treatment but regular |
| (the sack that encloses the lungs, heart, or stomach), in | | | | checkups should occur to ensure that nothing else |
| particular the parietal pleura. The parietal pleura is the | | | | develops and goes unnoticed. |
| pleura that surrounds the lungs and the chest cavity | | | | Overall, pleural plaques is not a deadly cancer like |
| and covers the diaphragm. | | | | mesothelioma and does not cause difficulty breathing |
| Once they have formed, pleural plaques frequently | | | | like asbestosis. While generally more benign, individuals |
| become calcified. Once they become calcified, they | | | | with these nodules should undergo regular exams for |
| can be seen on chest x-rays. The calcium makes | | | | mesothelioma and asbestos. |
| them much easier to see because they then appear | | | | |