Non-malignant pleural disease

Non-malignant pleural disease is a non cancerous condition affecting the outer lining of the lung (the pleura). It includes two disabling forms of disease, diffuse pleural thickening and the less serious pleural plaques. A substantial number of cases continue to occur each year in Great Britain, mainly due to workplace asbestos exposures many years ago.

The latest information shows:

• The annual number of cases of pleural thickening assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit has almost trebled since 1991. This reflects changes in the criteria for compensation as well as annual numbers of new cases. (IIDB).
• There were 440 such cases in 2011 compared to 150 in 1991. (IIDB).
• An estimated 821 cases of non-malignant pleural disease mainly caused by asbestos were reported by chest and occupational physicians in 2011. A substantial proportion of these were cases of pleural plaques (THOR).
• Pleural plaques are usually symptomless and are often identified in the THOR scheme when individuals have chest x-rays for other conditions.
• For these reasons, there are likely to be substantially more individuals in the population with pleural plaques than those identified by chest physicians

Tables

• IIDB05 Prescribed industrial diseases of the lungs and new cases of assessed disablement by disease.
• THORR01 Numbers by sex and diagnostic category, 1998 to latest year.