The causes of mesothelioma remain unknown as of this writing. However, there is strong evidence that exposure to asbestos and its fibres causes this condition. There are several different types of asbestos. Some of the most dangerous are chrysotile, amphibole and amosite. Amosite is the one which is predominantly responsible for mesothelioma.
Asbestos affects both the living and non-living cells in our bodies. When exposed to asbestos fibres, these cells become abnormally permeated with fluid, thereby exposing them to harmful viruses and consequently causing malignant mesothelioma causes. These cells change in shape and size, grow and die. As a result of these changes, the asbestos particles become lodged in the mesothelium.
Malignant mesothelioma causes can be influenced by a number of risk factors. Age is one such risk factor. As the age progresses, the risk of developing mesothelioma increases. Also, if a person has a family history of mesothelioma, they increase their chances of developing the disease as well. Other risk factors include: smoking; a history of exposure to asbestos; diabetes mellitus; and obesity. As with any other disease, a family medical history of mesothelioma is very important to help identify the risk factors, and hence, help in the diagnosis.
Mesothelioma causes can also be influenced by exposure to certain chemicals. If you were working in an industry where you were regularly exposed to asbestos, then your chances of getting mesothelioma increases. The reason for this is that the chemicals used to clean asbestos are not fully removed from the air. Therefore, it remains in the environment, breathing the environment and contaminating people who breathe the same air as the affected person.
The most common of all mesothelioma symptoms is chest pain. People with pericardial mesothelioma also report difficulties in breathing. This pain tends to become more severe with time. During this stage, the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma become apparent. These symptoms consist of cough, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, fever and swelling of the abdomen around the chest area.
At times, mesothelioma symptoms develop gradually over time. However, if these symptoms are detected during the first stages of the disease, the survival rate is good. In most of these cases, the disease advances gradually, causing loss of mobility and thus, paralysis. However, in the case of pericardial mesothelioma, because of the location of the lungs, this disease does not progress too far and can be easily cured by surgical intervention.
