MESOTHELIoma causes are a subject of much debate. The disease comes from exposure to asbestos, which has been used in many different industries, most notable as an insulator in fireproofing and other applications. Asbestos remains in our environment today, and while it is benign by most standards, it has also been linked to several types of cancer. Mesothelioma is the most severe and debilitating of these cancers, and accounts for more than twenty-five percent of all mesothelioma cases. It is particularly insidious because it is not immediately apparent on the surface.
MESOTHELIoma causes fall into two broad categories. The first category is due to direct exposure to mineral fibers. Asbestos fibers can either be ingested or inhaled, and while this may seem like the ideal route of exposure, it is not. Since swallowing or inhaling asbestos particles is more than possible, the most likely route of contact for a person with mesothelioma would then be through inhalation. Mineral fibers are extremely fine, and as they become airborne, they can remain in the air for years at a time, affecting millions of Americans.
The second category of mesothelioma causes is due to exposure to a variant of the virus 40. This virus is one of several that contaminate the atmosphere in major cities around the world each day. The simian version of SV40, called the polymer virus 40, has been found to be present in a majority of cancer cases. While most people know it by its technical name – polyviridium – some people are actually less familiar with its medical implications. The name polyviridium comes from the fact that the virus can be found in both bodily fluids and the exteriors of various organs, including the cervix, penis, vagina, and mouth.
The third category of mesothelioma causes is primarily genetic in nature. While the SV40 virus may be present in the environment and in bodily fluids, it is rare for people to come into direct contact with asbestos fibers as a result of their exposure to the environment. Instead, the vast majority of mesothelioma cases involve individuals exposed to genetic mutations that create an increased risk of contracting the disease. The vast majority of these tumors – approximately 75 percent – are the result of people with genetic mutations that cause them to attack their immune system instead of working it out properly.
Exposure to asbestos is the most common route of exposure for individuals who have been diagnosed with this malignant form of mesothelioma cancer. Still, not all exposed people develop this cancer. It is possible for someone to be exposed to asbestos without developing malignant mesothelioma cancer, but there is no guarantee that they would not develop the disease if they did. The only way to know for sure if you were exposed to asbestos is to get a proper diagnosis from a physician. In fact, even after a patient has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, there is still some uncertainty as to the true cause of the cancer. Many doctors believe that the true causes are still unknown, and that exposure to asbestos would indeed be one of the likely causes of malignant mesothelioma cancer.
Mesothelioma causes may also stem from exposure to certain chemicals and pollutants, such as those found in pesticides. Dissected body tissues of animals, such as lungs and digestive tracts, contain high levels of these chemicals. These toxins can then seep into the fresh water supplies of public treatment facilities, causing the illnesses of many animals, as well as humans. In addition, some scientists believe that the increased presence of certain species in human populations has caused an increase in the instances of mesothelioma cases. However, there are also other causes of this disease that have not been proven yet.