Important Information about the Cause of Mesothelioma

Asbestos inhalation has been the only known cause of mesothelioma for over a century. The cause of mesothelioma for the majority of people who have developed the disease is by way of the workplace. These victims have worked in occupations where they were exposed to this potentially lethal substance, usually unknowingly. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelial tissue, a thin tissue that covers many internal organs. It surrounds the heart, lungs, and other organs. If it occurs in the abdominal mesothelial tissue, also known as the peritoneum, it is called malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Inhaling microscopic asbestos fibers or asbestos dust over a long period of time can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. And the only proven cause of mesothelioma is from the inhalation of asbestos particles.

Even though the use of asbestos has been regulated for several decades there are still new cases of asbestos-related cancer appearing every year. The reason is because many old buildings, schools, and homes that were constructed before these regulations took effect still have asbestos-containing products. So even though we know the cause of mesothelioma, it doesn’t mean we can prevent it from developing in each and every case.

The Cause of Mesothelioma – Breathing Microscopic Asbestos Fibers

Asbestos has been used in the manufacturing of many products including fire-retardant products, insulation, brake linings, acoustic ceiling plaster, roof shingles, and thousands of other items. When asbestos-containing products become disturbed they can release tiny asbestos particles into the air where they can be inhaled. This inhalation is the cause of mesothelioma and other cancerous diseases. The risk of developing cancer is directly related to the total lifetime exposure to these toxic fibers and is greatly increased in people who smoke.

The Actual Cause of Mesothelioma is Not Inhaling Asbestos

Asbestos is apparently not technically the actual cause of mesothelioma or other forms of lung cancer, but a promoter of the disease. When asbestos fibers are inhaled deeply into the lungs the body’s immune system makes an attempt to eliminate them from the body. However, instead of eliminating the offending material, the immune system cells will die which causes the body to produce scar tissue surrounding the dead cells. The scar tissue continues to develop for many years until there is enough scar tissue to cause the lungs to stop functioning. This is the true cause of mesothelioma.

It is not the actual asbestos fibers that are the cause of mesothelioma cancer, but the result of abnormal tissue cells dividing and multiplying without control. Cancer cells can invade tissues that are in close proximity and spread by way of the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other areas of the body. The most common location where mesothelioma develops is in the mesothelial tissue surrounding the lungs and abdominal cavity. Additionally, it can develop in the heart mesothelial tissue, but this is rare.

The major problem with mesothelioma is that it can take anywhere from 15 to 60 years before the first symptoms occur. By the time it is finally diagnosed it has had a long time to spread. For this reason, mesotheliomas caused by the inhalation of asbestos particles are generally fatal within 2 to 4 years after diagnosis. Plus, because of this extended latency period it is usually difficult to prove the cause of mesothelioma. There are many different types of treatment available, but most are for diagnostic purposes or to relieve some of the pain and symptoms. Currently, there is no cure for mesothelioma. The only way to prevent it is to know the cause of mesothelioma and avoid products that contain asbestos.

The National Cancer Institute regularly conducts clinical trials in the hopes of eventually finding a cure. Some of these therapies have shown great promise, but are not yet available to the general public. However, it is possible to use a non-standard mesothelioma treatment option by participating in these clinical trials.

Now that you understand the cause of mesothelioma it makes it a lot easier to avoid breathing asbestos fibers. If you want to avoid being exposed to asbestos in your home or workplace it is important to know how to recognize products that may contain this toxic mineral. A few products will be clearly marked as containing asbestos, but most products will not be marked. The only way to know for sure is to have a suspected asbestos-containing product examined by an expert. An experienced inspector can take samples of the product and have them examined in a lab. The only way to tell for sure if asbestos is found in any particular product is by looking at it under a microscope. The best way to eliminate the cause of mesothelioma is to know where it comes from and how to avoid it.