Pleural Plaques

Pleural plaquing is the least severe form of asbestos disease. Essentially, pleural plaques are calcified scars of fibrotic collagen tissue that form on the surface of the pleura, diaphragm or ribcage. Since the pleura do not affect the functioning of the lungs, this condition is considered a marker of exposure.

Pleural plaques often take as long as 20 years to develop from the date of exposure to asbestos. Plaques may go undiagnosed in some people because they do not experience noticeable symptoms. This disease does not typically become cancerous; however, research has shown people with pleural plaques have a greater risk of developing mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.