Mesothelioma Causes – What You Need to Know
Mesothelioma, more popularly known as cancer of the mesothelium, is the most deadly form of mesothelioma. It affects the mesothelium, which is the cell that protects internal organs and the body itself from damage due to inflammation and infection. In case of mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is considered as the most common cause for the disease. The symptoms of mesothelioma vary from person to person and they depend on the location and size of the asbestos fibers that are inhaled by the patient. The disease can have many complications depending on the extent of the disease and the age at which it is diagnosed.
Although mesothelioma causes are not yet known, there are several types of mesothelioma causes that have been identified. Some of the known causes include genetic mutations, exposure to toxins such as asbestos, and tumor of the mesothelium. Based on the type of cells affected, mesothelioma causes can be grouped into five categories:
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been found in several different applications including insulation, fire doors, brake linings, caulk, cement, pipe, fireplaces, roofing materials, textiles, and drywall. The cancer causing properties of asbestos were discovered around World War Two. Since the asbestos had shown no immediate side effects, medical professionals tended to ignore the potential danger to the human body. For this reason, there were no measures taken to control the use of asbestos in construction before the development of the first mesothelioma causes.
Other causes of mesothelioma causes include exposure to certain pesticides and herbicides. Some of these commonly used pesticides contain high levels of volatile organic chemicals that react with the amino acids produced by cells to form a new kind of cell. When exposed to these poisons over prolonged periods of time, the cells begin to mutate uncontrollably and abnormally forming tumors.
Respiratory infections can also cause mesothelioma causes. These include virus 40, which is a strain of a pathogen that destroys T cells, a major component of the immune system. When T cells are killed, the ability of the body to fight infections is compromised, thereby increasing the risk of developing a tumor. This includes exposure to Agent Orange, VXV, and chlorhexidine, which have all been linked to the development of lung disease. If someone in your family has a history of virus 40, or another respiratory infection, it is highly recommended that you monitor their health closely for symptoms of asbestos exposure.
New studies are also showing links between the cancer and other forms of tumors and cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. While doctors are not certain why, they believe that exposure to asbestos affects the brain’s cells in the same way that it does the lungs’ cells or any other part of the body. As a result, the mesothelioma diagnosis is often made after doctors conduct a biopsy on a biopsy of one of the different types of tumors that they see. Doctors rely on the results of this biopsy to determine whether or not the person has mesothelioma, and then use a variety of different types of tests to confirm their diagnosis.
