Acute-Accelerated & Chronic Types
Silicosis may be classified based on clinical pictures and time course in relation to silica exposure.
Acute silicosis: here alveolar filling process follows heavy exposure within a few years
Accelerated silicosis: occurs within 5 to 10 years of exposure
Chronic silicosis: it develops after a long latent period
An advanced form of chronic or accelerated silicosis has been described as conglomerate silicosis (complicated silicosis) is characterized by widespread masses of fibrosis
