Non-neoplastic asbestos-related respiratory diseases: what relationship with other lung diseases?

Abstract

Non-neoplastic asbestos-related respiratory diseases in practice are represented by asbestosis and pleural plaques. Clinical features and architectural tissue abnormalities of asbestosis do not differ from those of other causes of interstitial fibrosis which allows a confident diagnosis without a history of significant exposure to asbestos. But the relationship between non-neoplastic asbestos-related diseases and other lung diseases is not only represented by the need for differential diagnosis. developing lung diseases not classified as Asbestos-Related Diseases.The article reviews the existing relationship between non-neoplastic asbestos-related respiratory diseases and interstitial lung diseases, lung function and risk of pleuropulmonary neoplastic diseases.