Tuesday, 12 July 2016
Causes & Risk Factors of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is almost exclusively tied to prolonged
asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that became very
popular in the 20th century due to its heat resistance and insulating
properties. Asbestos has been used in a variety of products from building
materials to car parts.
The mesothelium is a lining that protects certain
internal organs and is made up of mesothelial cells. Asbestos fibers may be
inhaled or ingested and lodge themselves in the mesothelium. These fibers are
difficult for the body to expel.
In most cases, these fibers are inhaled and end up in the
lining surrounding the lungs and chest, known as the pleura. In other cases,
the fibers may be ingested and end up in the lining of the stomach and abdomen,
known as the peritoneum.
In rare cases, asbestos fibers find their way to the
pericardial lining surrounding the heart and cause pericardial mesothelioma.
The causes of this type of mesothelioma are still being explored.
Over an extended time, these fibers can agitate and
damage the mesothelial cells. This damage causes otherwise healthy cells to
become abnormal and replicate constantly, which leads to the growth of tumors
and the development of mesothelioma.
Risk Factors
Since asbestos was widely used in industrial and
commercial products, a large number of individuals have been exposed to this
toxic substance. People such as factory workers, shipbuilders, military
veterans or insulation manufacturers who worked with asbestos while removing or
installing it are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Family members of those who worked with asbestos are also
at risk of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers and dust carried into the
home on work clothes could have been inhaled by family members. This is
referred to as “secondary exposure.”
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