Causes of Mesothelioma Cancer
Malignant mesothelioma,
similar to many other types of cancers, is caused when the body’s DNA
is damaged. DNA damage occurs in mesothelioma victims when they are
exposed to asbestos over a long period of time, typically at job sites
that used asbestos-containing products or by using household products
for extended periods that contained asbestos. In rare instances, some
victims may have developed mesothelioma after short-term exposure to
asbestos, but in the majority of cases, victims were exposed to large
amounts asbestos for extended periods of time.
Unlike many cancers, mesothelioma does not have a large number of causes. One of its alternate names is asbestos cancer
because its primary cause is long term exposure to asbestos. There is
evidence, however, that asbestos is not the only cause even though it
leads as the #1 reason victims get the disease.
If you or a loved one suffer from an asbestos-related disease, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds,
awaiting those who’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos illness. We
invite you to use our Asbestos Attorney Locator Tool to find a top mesothelioma lawyer in your area.
Primary Cause of Mesothelioma: Asbestos Exposure
As
previously mentioned, mesothelioma is primarily caused by prolonged
exposure to asbestos. Prior to the 1980s, many homes, buildings, work
sites, and materials were built using asbestos because of its positive
properties: heat and fire resistance.
After extensive research and
investigations determined that asbestos is extremely harmful to people,
the majority of businesses and manufacturers stopped using it. However,
this was decades after a massive amount of individuals had already been
exposed. In other instances, even though it was determined that
asbestos was dangerous, several businesses continued to use it as their
profits would have seriously suffered had it been eliminated.
In
2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) confirmed
the investigations and findings, and released a statement that informer
the public that the primary cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
In
addition, the statement reported that workers who were around asbestos
on a daily basis run the highest risk of getting mesothelioma. The most
common work sites associated with using asbestos include factories,
plants, steel mills, schools, asbestos mines, and asbestos processing
plants. Yet, people at home are also at risk, especially if they live in
an area close to a natural-occurring asbestos deposit site.
Two
other studies performed in 2010 by the Mesothelioma Applied Research
Foundation and the Cancer Institute revealed again, that the main cause
of mesothelioma is via asbestos exposure. However, it usually takes a hefty amount of asbestos exposure before a victim contracts mesothelioma.
Once
the fibers enter into the system, it’s almost impossible for the body
to expel them. The fibers then begin to attack the mesothelium which in
turn causes lesions to form. Over time, cells in the damaged tissue
become cancerous and form tumors. It can then take up to 50 years for
the first symptoms of mesothelioma to surface.
How Asbestos Attacks the Body
People
are exposed to asbestos by inhaling the fine fibers that the mineral
produces. These fibers then get lodged in the lungs. Asbestos can also
be unknowingly swallowed, and the fibers make their way down to the
abdominal area. Unfortunately, once asbestos fibers are in the body, as
previously mentioned, it’s almost impossible to remove them all. As time
moves on, these fibers can cause significant damage to the body, which
can lead to mesothelioma. Although scientists and physicians are still
trying to determine exactly why asbestos fibers cause cancer, there are
several theories that are currently being researched:
- Changes in Genetics: Asbestos can disrupt mesothelial cells, which are naturally-occurring cells in the body. This in turn hinders the functions of the cells, which can lead to cancer.
- Inflammation of Cells: When the body’s cells become irritated, inflammation and scarring occur. Consequently, it leads to cell damage and cancer.
- Free Radicals: Asbestos produces free radicals in the body. Once this happens, DNA can become damaged, which leads to cancer.
- Oncoproteins Growth: When asbestos is in the body, cells begin producing oncoproteins. Oncoproteins hinders normal cell production, which can consequently lead to cancer.
Secondary Cause of Mesothelioma: Drug Interactions
Some
mesothelioma patients have not been exposed to asbestos. Researchers
have found links between a drug called Thorotrast and mesothelioma.
According
to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), patients
administered the drug are at an elevated risk of developing lung
carcinoma and mesothelioma.
Thorotrast is a mixture of particles
that was used primarily in the 1930s and 1940s when performing x-ray
imaging. It helped physician produce high quality images, yet
unfortunately, the particles remain in the human body.
In
addition, Simian Virus 40 (SV40), has been linked to mesothelioma. SV40
is a virus that was found in a few species of monkeys and later found in
Polio vaccinations.
According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), more than 90 million Americans received a Polio
vaccination between 1955 through 1963. It was during this time period
that the Polio vaccine was contaminated with SV40.
Although humans
typically aren’t susceptible to mesothelioma after getting the vaccine,
studies have shown that at least 40 patients with mesothelioma also
have traces of SV40. More research needs to be done in order to
understand how this happens.
Erionite
Another
possible cause of mesothelioma is exposure to erionite. Though much less
common than asbestos exposure, erionite is similar to asbestos in that
both are naturally-occurring minerals that are harmful when ingested or
inhaled.
Furthermore, erionite has been shown to mimic the same
process of development as asbestos-related cancers, taking up to 50
years for the first symptoms to appear.
The biggest difference,
however, is that erionite is inhaled and ingested primarily through the
environment and not in the workplace.
Studies have also shown that
erionite poses a higher risk of victims developing mesothelioma and
other types of lung cancers when compared to asbestos. Mesothelioma also
develops more quickly and with less exposure to erionite as opposed to
asbestos.
Erionite can be sometimes found in volcanic ashes that
have been modified via weather changes and water. In some rare
instances, erionite has been found in water purification systems and
softeners. Usually however, erionite is found in natural deposit sites.
There are known erionite deposits throughout the world, including:
- Russia
- Japan
- Germany
- Turkey
- Kenya
- Italy
In the United States, erionite deposits can be found in:
- North Dakota
- Wyoming
- Arizona
- Oregon
- Nevada
- California
- Utah
Turkey
yields the highest amount of erionite. In fact, in the village of
Tuzkoy, there is an extremely high amount of malignant mesothelioma
victims because of the naturally-occurring yet excessive amount of
erionite deposits surrounding the area. Several of the village people
use erionite as food storage which further exposes them to risk.
In
the United States, scientists are still studying the adverse effects of
erionite, particularly in North Dakota. When compared to asbestos,
there currently is little information regarding the health risks of
erionite.
Genetics
Although extremely rare, some experts have suggested that certain people may be predisposed genetically to mesothelioma.
In
fact, a research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NHI)
found a specific mutation gene called the BAP1, that makes the carriers
of the gene at great risk for developing both mesothelioma and melanoma
of the eyes. These people are also at a much higher risk of developing
an asbestos-related disease if they are ever exposed to the mineral.
In
addition, people with BAP1 are also at risk for developing different
kinds of cancers such as breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and renal.
Regardless
of the way someone contracts mesothelioma, the symptoms are almost
always the same. Keep in mind, though, that some people may exhibit more
symptoms than others, and it typically takes decades for the even the
most common symptoms of mesothelioma to surface.
Typical symptoms include:
- Chest pain that can fluctuate from minor to severe
- Fluid buildup in the lungs
- Difficulty swallowing and pain when attempting to swallow
- Overwhelming sense of fatigue and lethargy
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Dry coughing, wheezing, and/or hacking
- Pleural effusions
Less Common but More Serious Symptoms
- Lung Collapsing
- Coughing up blood
- Nerve damage in the arms
- Blood clots on the hands and arms
- Horner’s Syndrome (rare condition that affects the nerves in the eyes and face)
