Mesothelioma and Its Causes
Mesothelioma – A Fatal Cancer
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells. These are the cells or tissues which cover most of our internal body’s organs and form a lining called the mesothelium. This mesothelium lining protects the body’s organs and helps them function properly.
Hence, mesothelioma is a cancer in which the mesothelium becomes cancerous, resulting in abnormal growth of cells. These cancerous cells can also spread to other parts of the body and cause abnormal functioning of the cells if they are not treated timely. Mesothelioma mostly occurs in the lining covering the chest, abdomen and lungs.
If it occurs in the lining of the lungs also known as pleura, it is called pleural mesothelioma. If it occurs in the lining of the abdomen or peritoneum it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also occur in the pericardium or lining of the chest which protects the heart which is called pericardial mesothelioma. All these types of mesothelioma are malignant and can prove fatal if not detected and treated right.
Direct exposure to asbestos is not the only cause of mesothelioma. Indirect exposure to asbestos can also cause this fatal cancer. If any one inhales asbestos particles from the air or clothes, hair or shoes of the asbestos worker, they can also get mesothelioma.
Causes of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is caused by inhaling a toxic mineral known as asbestos. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. When asbestos particles or dust are inhaled, they can take root in the lining of the body’s organs and become in time cancerous, leading to mesothelioma.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance, mined from rock and made of tiny fibers. Asbestos particles are very small and have no smell or taste. Asbestos releases microscopic fibers, when it is processed, which are inhaled or swallowed by people. Asbestos usage increased during World War II due to its fire resistant properties. People who work in asbestos related industries are vulnerable to asbestos exposure. Also, there are some minerals closely related to asbestos found in soil which can be a cause of mesothelioma. Researchers are studying exactly how asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma.
Even asbestos exposure at low levels can lead to mesothelioma cancer over a long period of time. Due to this, mesothelioma symptoms may take more than 20-40 years to appear. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest are some common symptoms of mesothelioma.
While asbestos is the major cause of mesothelioma, there have been cases of mesothelioma cancer where patients did not have any prior asbestos exposure. One plausible reason for this was thorium dioxide which was used in some X-rays tests and it was discovered that this substance had potential to cause various types of cancer.
There are 3 types of asbestos, each of which is equally harmful and can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other related diseases.
Asbestos is mostly found in these materials:
- Boilers
- Pipe covering
- Insulating cement
- Electrical wires
- Floor and ceiling tile
- Gaskets
- Roofing materials
- Fireproofing
- Plastic cement
- Wallboard/millboard
- Asbestos cloth blankets
- Insulating block
- Break pads
- Linings
Bricklayers, carpenters, auto mechanics, electricians, maintenance workers, insulators, welders, painters’, plumbers, furnace workers, glazers and building inspectors are the people who work closely related to asbestos. These people are at high risk to develop mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma cancer is not contagious and cannot be passed on to other people as it is not caused by faulty genes. Thus, children of mesothelioma patients do not have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma cancer, unless they have been in contact with asbestos, the only cause of mesothelioma cancer. |
