Mesothelioma - What Causes It?
Mesothelioma affects the linings of the organs. The main mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos strands can enter the lungs or abdomen and adhere to mesothelial cells membranes.
People who have had a history of occupational asbestos exposure are most at risk, including miners shipbuilders, plumbers, construction workers, electricians, and remodelers of older homes. Family members of those who have been exposed to asbestos also face a higher risk.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was used extensively in the construction and other industries until the latter half of the 20th Century. This was when the developed nations began to regulate (United States) or prohibit (Europe, Australia) asbestos after toxicological studies revealed that it was carcinogenic.
Asbestos is one of the minerals made of microscopic fibers that are extremely tough as well as fire-resistant, heat-resistant and. When they are damaged the fibers are able to become airborne and be introduced into the body through inhalation or swallowing. They then can be absorbed by the mesothelium that lines the lungs, the heart, stomach and other organs. This type of exposure usually occurs over a lengthy period of time. Symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not manifest until a long time after exposure.
The most common mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung. In a few cases it can also affect the chest wall, abdomen or testis. The majority of cases of mesothelioma involve a form of malignant (cancerous) mesothelial cell proliferation in the mesothelium. However the exact cause for the cells' mutation is not fully understood.
The highest risk is for those who have been exposed to asbestos. This includes people who worked in shipyards, factories or mines and those who worked with or installed asbestos-containing materials such as insulation or roofing; or those who did manual labor that resulted in direct contact with asbestos. Inhaling asbestos dust from secondhand sources can also occur in homes, particularly when older homes are being renovated or repaired.
A family history of mesothelioma increases the risk of an individual being diagnosed with the disease, as does a person's smoking habits. A genetic predisposition to cancer may also increase the risk of mesothelioma.
Asbestos sufferers typically develop mesothelioma in their 50s, 60s, or 70s, with some patients diagnosed in their 30s and 40s. Most of them are men who were exposed to asbestos at work. One-third to half of mesothelioma patients are veterans who were exposed to asbestos in ships, bases and during construction. Additionally, a small percent of patients were exposed to the mineral naturally occurring talc.
Genetics
Many asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, have an element of genetics. Researchers aren't able to pinpoint exactly what causes it, but mutations in genes play an important role in the development of this cancer. Mutations alter the gene's code, which creates a protein that controls cell growth, duplication and death. The mutations allow cells to become cancerous. Asbestos damages DNA and causes irritation to the cells, leading to mesothelioma.
The mesothelium is a thin layer that covers the majority of your internal organs. Three out of four cases start in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) however, it may also affect the abdomen or tissues surrounding the heart and testicles. It's less common for mesothelioma cases to occur outside of the lungs, however it's possible.
Researchers have examined the connection between mesothelioma and genetics after observing family clusters of this disease. In one instance, four members of a family died of malignant mesothelioma. Researchers believe that hereditary factors could have played a role for each of the deceased. Each had a history of exposure to asbestos.
Patients suffering from this disease typically have a mutation in the BAP1 gene, which is the cause of mesothelioma. This gene is responsible for regulating the body's ability to self-regulate and destroy precancerous cells. Mutations allow cancerous mesothelioma to grow to other parts.
Patients with this cancer are also susceptible to mutations in NF2 mesothelioma related gene. This gene is responsible for how a protein known as PD-L1 interacts with the immune system. Mutations of the cancerous gene cause PD-1 to become overexpressed. This decreases the immune system's ability to fight against mesothelioma.
Some patients have a combination of genetic and environmental factors that cause mesothelioma. These could include the patient's age, the place they were exposed to asbestos, and the type of asbestos employed in their workplace. The older a person was when they were exposed to asbestos and the more likely they are to be diagnosed with mesothelioma diagnosed. This is due to the fact that it takes between 20 to 40 years for the disease to develop. Additionally, women are more likely to have a worse mesothelioma prognosis than men.
Smoking
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in a thin layer of tissue which protects the majority of internal organs. A rare type of cancer, mesothelioma is typically fatal when left untreated.
Asbestos is the sole known mesothelioma's cause. It occurs when asbestos fibers get into the lungs. Once inside the lungs, asbestos fibers can get stuck in the lining around the lungs and chest cavity, called the Pleura. These fibers can irritate the pleura over time, and trigger DNA mutations that result in cancerous cells.
The cancer cells multiply uncontrollably and grow into an uncontrollable tumor. This is the primary mesothelioma symptom. Other symptoms could include difficulty breathing, chest pains and fatigue. As the cancer develops, it can spread to other organs. The most common organ is the lung. Mesothelioma may also affect the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
In the past, asbestos was used for its durability and strength. It also has a high resistance to fire. People in certain jobs that are exposed to asbestos, including industrial workers, construction workers and military veterans are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos is one of the minerals with thin microscopic fibers that resist to heat and don't conduct electricity. It is a naturally occurring mineral that was mined and utilized in many different industries.
Researchers have found that chrysotile and amphibole asbestos and erionite can increase the risk of mesothelioma. It is not clear however, what asbestos types or exposure levels affect the development of mesothelioma.
While mesothelioma does not have a cure, treatment options can help patients manage the symptoms and prolong their lives. Doctors treat the disease with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. They also provide support services to patients and their loved ones. The goal is to provide the best care possible while extending life and helping patients reach their treatment goals. Some patients are able to achieve remarkable survival rates. They are an inspiration to others who face this illness.
Environmental Exposure
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is composed of fibers that are tough and resistant to heat. The fibers can remain in the air for a prolonged time, making it possible to inhale them or ingest them unintentionally. The asbestos-containing fibers can cause irritation to organ linings and cause cancer. Mesothelioma is usually found in the lungs, but can also be located in the abdomen or in the heart.
Asbestos causes mesothelioma by altering the DNA of the cells that make up the lining of body organs. Cancerous mutations may lead to tumors that spread and expand. Contrary to other forms of cancer, mesothelioma has a long latency period between exposure to asbestos and the manifestation of symptoms.
The highest risk of mesothelioma is due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most risk of mesothelioma is for those who work with asbestos at work like shipbuilders electricians, boiler operators, and so on. Blue-collar workers who had contact with asbestos in their work environment prior to federal regulations were implemented in the 1970s may also be at risk of developing mesothelioma. Certain people were also exposed to mesothelioma by exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources. These cases involve loved one's who brought home mesothelioma-causing fibers from their hair, clothing, or shoes after a day at a construction site.
Veterans are a different group of people at a mesothelioma what causes it higher risk of developing mesothelioma. This is because every branch of the military employed asbestos extensively on ships and in their vehicles, as well as in their armor. Different types of asbestos have been used in the military, but chrysotile has been specifically linked to mesothelioma.
Radiation and genetics are also risk factors for mesothelioma. BAP1 gene mutations increase the risk of mesothelioma, and other diseases. The gene is involved in regulating cell growth and could help control the formation of tumors. Exposure to the radioactive compound thorium dioxide, which was used in conjunction with X-rays to conduct imaging tests between the 1920s and 1950s, increases the chance of developing mesothelioma. The BAP1 gene mutation is also linked to melanomas in the eye and on the skin.