Bronchitis and mesothelioma could both impact lung function, but each condition affects your health in different ways. Understanding what sets these illnesses apart is key to getting an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.
Bronchitis isn’t a symptom of mesothelioma. It is an inflammation of the airway leading to the lungs, while mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
However, both conditions share signs like a cough and shortness of breath. If you were exposed to asbestos and have symptoms like trouble breathing, getting a second opinion from a cancer doctor can help ensure you’re correctly diagnosed.
At Sokolove Law, we can help families affected by asbestos-related diseases seek compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit. Get a free case review now to find out if you may qualify.
Mesothelioma vs. Bronchitis
Bronchitis is a much more common — and often less serious — illness when compared to mesothelioma. However, due to the shared symptoms, mesothelioma patients could be misdiagnosed with bronchitis, which can delay treatments needed to fight this cancer.
Knowing the similarities and differences between these two conditions can help guide you to getting an accurate diagnosis, ensuring you’ll get the treatments you need.
Causes of Mesothelioma and Bronchitis
Mesothelioma is only caused by asbestos, a fibrous material once used in many industries like construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding. This cancer typically develops 20-50 years after asbestos exposure.
“If there's no asbestos, there's no mesothelioma, it's that simple. If you have mesothelioma, and you say, ‘Well, I've never been exposed to asbestos,’ you were exposed to it. You just don't know where and you don't know when.”
– Dr. Raja Flores, Mesothelioma Specialist
Bronchitis has many potential causes, including viral infections and long-term irritation from cigarette smoke or other toxins.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma and Bronchitis
Bronchitis shares many symptoms with pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lung lining, as both illnesses affect the respiratory system.
Symptoms of mesothelioma and bronchitis may include:
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
While over-the-counter medications and rest can often help ease symptoms of bronchitis, mesothelioma symptoms typically worsen as the cancer spreads.
If you have any of the symptoms listed above and a history of asbestos exposure, it’s important to see a mesothelioma specialist. These cancer doctors can help determine if you have mesothelioma or not.
Rates of Bronchitis and Mesothelioma
Bronchitis is very common. It affects 5% of adults each year, which amounts to over 17 million cases in the United States.
Mesothelioma, on the other hand, is a very rare cancer. Only about 3,000 cases are diagnosed per year.
Call (800) 647-3434 now if you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma. You may be eligible for financial compensation that can help cover medical expenses and more.
Prognosis of Mesothelioma and Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis, which is caused by viruses, has a good prognosis or health outlook. It’s easily treated with medication and can resolve in weeks.
Chronic bronchitis, which is caused by cigarettes and other pollutants, can be a lifelong condition. However, doctors can help to manage symptoms with treatment.
Mesothelioma is very aggressive and has an average life expectancy of 4-18 months, according to Penn Medicine. Yet with treatment, some mesothelioma patients have lived for 20 years or more.
“I really don't care that they say there's no cure, or they say that it's terminal. I'm not going to let it kill me."
– Alan, Firm Client & U.S. Army Veteran with Mesothelioma
Can Asbestos Cause Bronchitis?
Asbestos exposure could be a risk factor for chronic bronchitis, as the fibers can irritate the lungs and cause damage.
Chronic bronchitis is a long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs. It's known for the persistent coughing that often resembles mesothelioma.
Exposure to asbestos may be associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of conditions that includes chronic bronchitis, according to the Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
A doctor can determine if asbestos may have played a role in your bronchitis diagnosis.
Misdiagnosing Mesothelioma as Bronchitis
Mesothelioma is incredibly rare, and the symptoms are often similar to those of more common illnesses. As a result, doctors may easily misdiagnose mesothelioma as bronchitis or another less serious health issue.
In fact, 22.6% of pleural mesothelioma patients receive the wrong diagnosis at first, according to The Open Epidemiology Journal.
“It's such a rare cancer that the majority of patients end up getting misdiagnosed or treated for a number of other things before it gets figured out.”
– Dr. Joseph Friedberg, Mesothelioma Specialist
If you are diagnosed with bronchitis but your symptoms continue or worsen despite treatment, getting a second opinion can help rule out the possibility of mesothelioma.
A mesothelioma misdiagnosis can give the cancer more time to spread and limit options for treatment. If you worked in an industry with a high risk of occupational asbestos exposure, it’s important to speak with a specialist and get checked out.
Get Help After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed as bronchitis, which can prevent you or a loved one from getting potentially life-extending treatment. An accurate mesothelioma diagnosis from a specialist can help you get the care you need sooner.
As a national mesothelioma law firm, Sokolove Law has successfully helped families in all 50 states secure financial support and medical care.
We also have registered nurses on staff who are ready to answer any questions about mesothelioma and connect you with top specialists and cancer centers.
Get a free case review now to find out if we can help you or a loved one after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
