What Causes Mesothelioma Cancer.
Asbestos Mesothelioma. The most common cause of mesothelioma is Asbestos. Asbestos is naturally occurring fibrous material which is used for insulation purposes. Mesothelioma is an occupational hazard and affects those who work in the industry associated with asbestos. This disease occurs due to inhalation and/or ingestion of the asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma is therefore also referred to as asbestos mesothelioma, as the greatest risk factor of mesothelioma cancer is asbestos.
Asbestos Mesothelioma.
Picture of Asbestos fibers.
Cause of Pleural Mesothelioma.
During breaking of the asbestos, tiny fibers of asbestos are released into the air which are inhaled by those working on it. The tiny asbestos fibers get lodged in the tiny airways of the lungs. This leads to inflammation of the lung tissue. These tiny needle shaped fibers travel and get lodged in the pleura of the lungs where they can cause pleural mesothelioma. This is also referred to as lung mesothelioma.
Cause of Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
Fine fibers can also be ingested or swallowed and get lodged in the digestive tract. From there, they migrate to the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity) and cause inflammation and swelling. This can lead to peritoneal mesothelioma over the years.
Picture showing the cause of mesothelioma.
(Click on picture to enlarge).
Secondary Causes of Mesothelioma.
There have been cases where mesothelioma has developed in people who have never worked in an asbestos factory. Such people are :
- Those who have come in contact with the clothes of people who work in the asbestos industry, which leads to their inhaling or swallowing the fine fibers of asbestos dusted off the clothes.
- People who live near an asbestos industry and who inhale the fine asbestos fibers that are released into the atmosphere from the asbestos factory.
- People who do asbestos related work. Uses of asbestos is mainly for insulation from heat and sound and protection against fire and corrosion. Asbestos is used in insulation of pipes, ducts, ceilings, walls, buildings compounds, flooring, brake pads, heating household items like toasters and furnaces. People who do such work are at great risk of developing mesothelioma.
How much time of exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma.
Just an exposure of one to two months to asbestos is enough to get mesothelioma, which may manifest maybe 40 or 50 or 60 years later.
Other Causes of Mesothelioma.
Occasionally, exposure to radiation has also been known to cause mesothelioma. Other causes of mesothelioma are still not understood. Mesothelioma is not due to genetic causes of cancer which is known to be a major cause of cancer as explained in causes and risk factors of cancer. Family members of patients who have developed malignant mesothelioma, are therefore not at any cancer risk.
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