What
is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is
an aggressive malignancy that attacks the protective tissue lining of our internal organs. It is
also considered a rare form of cancer as there are less than 10,000 cases per
year. To be closer to the actual number, there are roughly 2,000 cases of
mesothelioma diagnoses per year in the United States alone. The United Kingdom and Canada are currently
the leaders of mesothelioma diagnoses, standing around 2,700 cases per year. There are two common types of mesothelioma and two rare
types. View the picture below as it
lists the four types of mesothelioma as well as the percentage of diagnoses.
What
causes mesothelioma? Doctors
and researchers have linked the cause of mesothelioma to a natural mineral
known as asbestos. As mentioned earlier, mesothelioma is a form of cancer that
attacks the tissue lining of our internal organs, this tissue lining is known
as the “mesothelium” to which, mesothelioma got it’s name. Since nearly every
case of mesothelioma has been linked to asbestos exposure, many doctors and
researchers have attributed mesothelioma to tiny asbestos fibers getting lodged
into the mesothelium, disrupting natural cell growth, and causing mesothelioma.
Theories
that link asbestos to mesothelioma
Mesothelioma has a latency period of around 20-50
years so no research has actually been done to see and show exactly how
asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma, but several theories have been formulated
in an attempt to explain how this happens. These theories attempt to explain
how asbestos
fibers cause changes in genetic makeup and eventual
development of cancerous tumors. They
are as follows:
- The needle-like nature and microscopic size of asbestos fibers prevents the immune system cells from clearing them out. As such, asbestos fibers are lodged in the mesothelial lining where they interfere with the normal cell division.
- Once inhaled, asbestos fibers irritate cells of mesothelium leading to swelling. Eventually, this causes cellular damage and subsequent development of a tumor.
- Asbestos fibers influence the overall production of the molecules that cause damage to DNA. This causes disruption in cellular production leading to tumors’ growth.
- Asbestos fibers influence production of the protein that leads to mutation of the regular cells of the mesothelium leading to formation of tumor cells.
Generally,
researchers agree that warning signs and symptoms of mesothelioma do not appear
until 10 to 50 years pass after asbestos exposure regardless of how they cause
the disease. Usually, doctors and patients mistake mesothelioma symptoms for
symptoms of common colds and other diseases. Here is a great video that talks
about the warning signs and symptoms of mesothelioma.
How mesothelioma develops
In general, mesothelioma starts when a cell
undergoes genetic mutation. This mutation causes unregulated growth and
multiplication of cells. How exactly asbestos fibers cause the initial genetic
mutation is not clear yet. However, researchers note that the interaction of
several factors may trigger this mutation. These include lifestyle choices and
the health condition of an individual.
Asbestos exposure:
Asbestos
exposure can happen in different ways. However, the most common ways through which people get asbestos exposure include:
- Occupational exposure: This exposure is common among people who work on asbestos containing products or materials.
- Secondary exposure: This happens among family members whose loved ones work on asbestos containing products. These carry asbestos fibers on their clothes.
- Environmental exposure: This occurs to people who live near places where asbestos was mined. Usually, this occurs when airborne fibers of asbestos float to the nearby communities.
Asbestos can be categorized in numerous ways.
However, two types of asbestos (amphibole and serpentine) are more likely to be
the cause of mesothelioma rather than Chrysotile, Amosite and Crocidolite.
Serpentine are wavy fibers that are found in about 95% of commercial asbestos
products and due to their shape, it is possible to breathe serpentine fibers in
the body but also out of the body. Amphibole fibers on the other hand are rigid
and sharp and as such, they have a tendency to lodge themselves into the body
tissue with ease making them more likely to cause mesothelioma. Regardless of the type of asbestos that you
or a loved one may have been exposed to, it is advisable that you visit a mesothelioma
specialist for a checkup and screening as soon as possible.
207 comments:
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I found this article very informative because it explains mesothelioma and its connection to asbestos exposure in a clear and detailed way. I think it is important for people to understand how dangerous asbestos can be, especially since symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until many years later. The explanation of the different types of exposure, including occupational and environmental exposure, really highlights how this disease can affect both workers and their families. A levels schools in Kenya are affordable like Amberlynn International School.
What stood out to me most was the discussion about how asbestos fibers damage the body over time and how researchers are still studying the exact process. I also appreciate the emphasis on early screening and medical checkups because awareness can help people seek treatment sooner. This article does a good job of educating readers about the causes, risks, and seriousness of mesothelioma.
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