Mesothelioma Causes

Mesothelioma is a very deadly form of cancer made up of four main types, which impacts 2,000 to 3,000 Americans every year. The first form of this disease is pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs. This cancer of the lungs can cause many serious side-effects, including hoarseness, shortness of breath, fluid buildup in the lungs, sharp chest pains, coughing up of blood, a loss of muscle function, and extreme swelling. Pleural mesothelioma makes up for the highest percentage of mesothelioma cases.

The two less common kinds of mesothelioma are peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen and may develop when patients cough up, then swallow inhaled asbestos fibers. Symptoms of this cancer include intense stomach pain, abnormal weight loss, ruptures of the abdomen, vomiting, and a build of fluid in the abdominal region. Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the heart. Symptoms of this disease include shortness of breath and sharp chest pains.

The final form of mesothelioma involves tumors found in the tunic vaginalis, known as testicular mesothelioma. This extremely rare form of mesothelioma is characterized by the development of tumors which begin in the covering layer of the testicles. In many cases, this testicular form of mesothelioma is secondary, with the main form of the cancer being located elsewhere in the patient.

Causes of Mesothelioma
The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a naturally-occurring material created through the amalgamation of several different minerals with fiber-like structures. These fibers are extremely friable and hard, allowing them to break into tiny pieces that can enter the body and burrow into internal tissues. Until very recently, asbestos saw heavy usage and was a popular and cost effective component of a number of construction materials and consumer products. In addition to its low cost, its popularity largely derived from the material’s strong resistance to heat, chemicals and electricity.

However, the 1960s saw the discovery and publication of the extremely negative effects that exposure to asbestos can have on an individual’s health. Among these negative side effects was the development of mesothelioma, which can impact those exposed for decades after. Although most usage stopped after 1989 legislation regulated the use of asbestos, it is still permitted in some products. Furthermore, the long latency period of this disease means individuals might not be aware of past exposure for as many as five decades later, when symptoms finally begin to appear.

Exposure to Asbestos
Exactly how asbestos causes mesothelioma has yet to be fully explained. A number of competing theories have been introduced by scientists to account for this causation. One theory states that asbestos fibers may scar certain cells in the protective lining of organs, known as the mesothelium, eventually leading to the development of cancer.

Another popular theory states that asbestos fibers have properties that can change the normal structure of cells in the body. The theory states that the fibers can corrupt the natural ability of these cells to divide at a healthy rate. This new unnatural cell division produces this form of cancer.

What is not disputed, however, is the fact that exposure to asbestos causes every form of mesothelioma. This much has been proven scientifically by a staggering amount of evidence showing a strong correlation between exposure length and intensity and mesothelioma development.

Who Is at Risk for Developing Mesothelioma

Studies have shown that certain individuals are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than others. One such group of people is individuals who have been exposed high amounts of radiation. The American Cancer Society also explains that most cases of mesothelioma have been linked to workplace asbestos exposure, which was common in the past. However, because this material can attach to clothing and hair and travel with these laborers, anyone who comes in contact with them may be at risk, including relatives at home. Furthermore, many schools, commercial buildings and industrial factories were constructed with or hold asbestos-containing products, putting individuals who frequent these locations at risk as well.

Tobacco Use and Mesothelioma
It has been proven that smoking alone does not cause mesothelioma, unless the cigarettes used asbestos filters. However, smoking can damage the lungs, reducing the body’s ability to stave off the negative effects of asbestos exposure, including mesothelioma. For this reason, smokers see an even higher risk of suffering from the cancer.

References:

The American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society: What is Asbestos?

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