Mesothelioma - What Causes It?
Mesothelioma affects the organ's linings. Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor of mesothelioma. Asbestos strands may enter the abdomen or lungs and attach to mesothelial cell membranes.
People who have had a history of occupational asbestos exposure are at the highest risk, such as miners, shipbuilders, plumbers, construction workers, electricians, and remodelers of older homes. Families of asbestos-exposed individuals are also at a higher level of risk.
Asbestos Exposure
Most mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos, a common material employed in construction and other industries until the late 20th century. After toxicological studies proved asbestos to be carcinogenic in the late 20th century, developed countries began to regulate or outright ban asbestos (Europe, Australia).
Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibers that are fire-resistant, heat-resistant, and extremely durable. When they are damaged, these fibers are able to become airborne, and then enter the body through inhalation or swallowing. They can lodge in the mesothelium which is found in the lungs as well as other organs. The exposure can last for an extended period of time. The signs of mesothelioma generally do not manifest until a long time after exposure.
The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural that affects the lung. In some cases, it can also affect the abdomen, chest or the testis. Almost all cases of mesothelioma involve a type of malignant (cancerous) mesothelial cells that grow in the mesothelium. The exact cause of the mutations in these cells is not known.
The highest risk for asbestos-related illnesses is among those who have been exposed asbestos. This includes those who worked in shipyards, factories and mines; those who handled or installed asbestos-containing materials, such as insulation or roofing or manual work that brought them into direct contact with asbestos. The inhalation of asbestos dust can also happen at your home. This is especially true when you are renovating or repairing older homes.
Smoking and having a family history of disease can increase an individual's mesothelioma danger. A genetic predisposition to cancer may also increase the risk of mesothelioma.
Asbestos patients typically develop mesothelioma when they are in their 50s, 60s, or 70s. However certain patients have been diagnosed in their 30s and 1940s. The majority of the time, asbestos exposure in the workplace is caused by men. A third to half of mesothelioma sufferers are veterans who were exposed to asbestos at bases, ships, and during construction. A small proportion of patients were also exposed to talc, a naturally occurring mineral.
Genetics
Many asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma have genetic causes. Scientists aren't sure how, but mutated genes play an important role in the development of this cancer. Mutations alter the genetic code of a gene and create a protein that regulates cell growth, division and death. Mutations allow cells to develop cancer. Asbestos can cause irritation to cells and damage to their DNA, causing mesothelioma cells to grow.
Mesothelioma can develop in the mesothelium which is a thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your body's internal organs. Three out of four cases begin in the lungs, but it can also occur in the abdomen, or around the heart and testicles. It's less common for mesothelioma cases to occur outside of the lungs, but it is possible to get it.
Researchers have investigated the connection between mesothelioma and genetics as well as family clusters after studying this disease. In one instance four members of the same family died from malignant mesothelioma. Each of the deceased had a history of exposure to asbestos, which led researchers to believe that hereditary factors played a role in their deaths.
A mesothelioma-related gene, BAP1, is frequently mutated in patients with this disease. This gene controls the body's self-regulation and ability to kill cancerous cells. Mutations allow cancerous mesothelioma to expand to other parts of the.
Another mesothelioma-related gene, NF2, is also often mutated in patients suffering from this cancer. This gene is responsible for the way a protein called PD-L1 interacts with the immune system. Mutations of the cancerous gene cause PD-L1 to become overexpressed. This suppresses the immune system's ability fight mesothelioma.
Some patients are affected by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. This could include a patient's age, where they were exposed to asbestos, and what type of asbestos was employed in their work. The older a person was when they were exposed to asbestos, the more likely they will be to receive mesothelioma diagnosed. This is because it takes between 20 and 40 years for disease to develop. In addition, women are likely to have a worse mesothelioma diagnosis than men.
Smoking
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that grows in the thin layer of tissue that protects most internal organs. A rare type of cancer, mesothelioma is often fatal if it is not treated.
Asbestos is the most well-known cause for mesothelioma. It develops when asbestos fibers are introduced into the lungs. Asbestos fibers may get stuck in the pleura, which is the liner of the chest cavity and the lungs. These fibers can irritate the pleura over time, and trigger DNA mutations that result in cancerous cells.
The cancer cells multiply rapidly and form the form of a tumor. This is the most prominent mesothelioma signs. Other symptoms could include difficulty breathing, chest pains and fatigue. As the cancer progresses it can spread to other organs, but most commonly the lungs. Mesothelioma could also affect the abdomen as well as the heart (peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma).
In the past asbestos was utilized for its strength and durability. It also has a high fire resistance. People in certain jobs that are exposed to asbestos, including construction workers, industrial workers and military veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group of minerals with thin microscopic fibers that are resistant to heat and conduct electricity. It is a natural mineral that was extracted and used in a variety of industries.
Researchers have found that chrysotile, amphibole, and erionite asbestos increase a person's mesothelioma risk. It is not clear however, how asbestos types or exposure levels contribute to the development of mesothelioma.
While mesothelioma does not have cure, treatment options can help patients manage the symptoms and prolong their lives. Doctors treat mesothelioma with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. They also provide support to patients and their loved ones. The goal is to provide the best care possible while helping patients achieve their goals in treatment. Some patients have impressive survival rates. Survivors are an inspiration for others facing this illness.
Environmental Exposure
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of strong and resistant to heat. The fibers can float in the air for long periods of time, making them simple to inhale or take in accidentally. The asbestos-containing particles can irritate organ linings and can cause cancer. The lung is the most commonly-used mesothelioma-related site however, it can also occur in the abdomen, the heart or the testes.
Asbestos causes mesothelioma by affecting the DNA of cells that form the lining of organs. The cancerous mutations can result in tumors that develop and expand. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that has a long period of inactivity between asbestos exposure and the onset of symptoms.
People who are at the highest risk for mesothelioma from occupational exposure to asbestos. People who handled asbestos in the workplace like boiler workers electricians, shipbuilders, and shipbuilders have the highest mesothelioma risk. However, blue-collar jobs that involved contact with asbestos in the workplace prior to the enactment of federal regulations what hazard is mesothelioma related to in the 1970s could also result in mesothelioma. In addition, some workers were exposed to mesothelioma through exposure through secondhand sources. These cases involve loved ones who brought home the mesothelioma-causing fibers on their hair, clothing or shoes from workplaces.
Veterans are also at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that all branches of the military has used asbestos extensively on vessels and in their vehicles, as well as in their armor. Different types of asbestos were used in the military, but chrysotile was specifically associated with mesothelioma.
Other risk factors for mesothelioma include genetics and radiation exposure. BAP1 gene mutations increase the risk of mesothelioma as well as other diseases. The gene regulates cell growth and could help control tumor formation. Exposure to the radioactive substance thorium dioxide, which was utilized in conjunction with X-rays for imaging tests between the 1920s and 1950s can increase a person's chance of developing mesothelioma. The BAP1 mutation is also associated with skin cancer and the eye.