Mesothelioma – What Causes It?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the organs’ lining in the body. The main mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. The asbestos strands can enter the abdomen and lungs and attach themselves to sensitive mesothelial cells.
People who have had an occupational history of asbestos exposure are the most at risk, including miners shipbuilders construction workers, plumbers, electricians, and remodelers of older homes. Family members of those who have been exposed to asbestos are also at a higher risk.
Asbestos Exposure
Most mesothelioma cases are the result of exposure to asbestos, which was a common material used in the construction industry and other fields until the latter half of the 20th century. After toxicological studies confirmed asbestos to be carcinogenic, developed countries began to regulate or outright ban asbestos (Europe, Australia).
Asbestos is one of the minerals composed of microscopic fibers which are extremely durable resistant to heat and fire. They can become airborne when disturbed and enter the body by inhalation or by ingesting. They then can be absorbed by the mesothelium that lines the lungs, the heart, stomach and other organs. This type of exposure usually occurs over a lengthy period of time. Symptoms of mesothelioma typically are not evident until years after exposure.
The most frequent mesothelioma form affects the lung. In a few cases, it may also affect the chest wall, abdomen or testis. Most mesothelioma cases are caused by malignant (cancerous) mesothelial cells that grow in the mesothelium. The reason for the mutations in these cells is not known.
Workers who were exposed to asbestos are at highest chance of developing mesothelioma. Workers who have worked in mines or shipyards or who worked with asbestos-containing products, such as roofing or insulation or have done manual labor that has resulted in exposure to asbestos, are at risk. Inhalation of secondhand asbestos dust also can occur at home, particularly if older homes are being renovated or renovated.
A mesothelioma-related family history increases the risk of a person developing the disease, and so does smoking habits. A genetic predisposition for cancer could also increase mesothelioma risk.
Asbestos sufferers typically develop mesothelioma in their 50s, 60s or 70s, with some patients diagnosed in their 30s and 40s. They are most often men who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Between one-third and half of mesothelioma patients are veterans, who were exposed to asbestos while on military bases as well as on ships and during construction. Additionally, a small proportion of patients have been exposed to the mineral that occurs naturally talc.
Genetics
Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers have a genetic component. Scientists aren’t certain what causes them, but mutations within genes play a significant role in the onset and spread of this cancer. Mutations alter the code of a gene and create a protein that regulates cell division, growth and death. The mutations allow cells to become cancerous. Asbestos damages DNA and irritates the cells, leading to mesothelioma.
The mesothelium is an extremely thin layer that covers the majority of your internal organs. Three out of four cases begin in the lungs. However, it can also occur in the abdomen, or around the testicles and the heart. It’s less common for mesothelioma cases to occur outside of the lungs, but it is possible to get it.
Researchers have studied the link between mesothelioma, genetics and family clusters after observing this disease. In one case, 4 members of a family died of mesothelioma malignancy. Each of the deceased had an exposure history to asbestos, which led researchers to conclude that hereditary factors were involved in their deaths.
Patients with this condition typically have a mutation in the BAP1 gene, which is responsible for mesothelioma. This gene controls the body’s self-regulation and ability to eliminate cancerous cells. If it is mutated, it permits cancerous mesothelioma cells to grow out of control and spread to other areas of the body.
Another mesothelioma-related gene, NF2, is also often mutated in patients suffering from this type of cancer. This gene is responsible for the way a protein called PD-L1 interacts with the immune system. Mutations of the cancerous gene cause PD-L1 to increase its expression. This reduces the immune system’s ability fight against mesothelioma.
Certain patients are affected by a mix of genetic and environmental factors. These may include a patient’s age, where they were exposed to asbestos, and the type of asbestos employed in their workplace. The older a person was at the time of exposure to asbestos, typically, the higher the likelihood that they will be diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it takes between 20 to 40 years for the disease to develop. In addition, women are likely to have a poor mesothelioma treatment prognosis than males.
Smoking
Mesothelioma develops within an extremely thin layer of tissues which protects the majority of internal organs. A rare form of cancer, mesothelioma can be usually fatal if left untreated.
Asbestos is the only known cause for mesothelioma. It develops when asbestos fibers enter the lung. Once in the lungs, asbestos fibers can get stuck in the lining around the chest cavity and lungs, called the Pleura. These fibers can irritate the pleura over time and trigger DNA mutations that lead to cancerous cells.
The cancer cells multiply rapidly and grow into the form of a tumor. This is the main mesothelioma symptoms. Other symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and breathing difficulties. As the cancer develops, it can expand to other organs. Most commonly, this is the lung. Mesothelioma may also affect the abdomen as well as the heart (peritoneal or mesothelioma pericardial).
Several kinds of asbestos have been employed in the past to provide its strength, durability and fire resistance. Certain jobs, like industrial workers, construction workers and military veterans who are exposed to these materials are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group of minerals with thin microfibers that are impervious to heat and conduct electricity. It is a naturally-occurring mineral that has been mined and utilized by a variety of industries.
Researchers have discovered that chrysotile asbestos, amphibole asbestos, and erionite raise the mesothelioma risk. It isn’t known however, how asbestos types or levels can contribute to mesothelioma’s development.
While mesothelioma doesn’t have a cure, treatment options help patients manage the symptoms and prolong their lives. Doctors treat mesothelioma with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. They also provide support services for patients and their family members. The aim is to ensure the best care possible while helping patients reach their goals for treatment. Some patients have impressive survival rates. Survivors are an inspiration for others facing this illness.
Environmental Exposure
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is composed of fibers that are strong and resistant to heat. The fibers are able to float in the air for long periods, making them easy to inhale or take in unintentionally. The asbestos-containing fibers irritate organ linings, and can cause cancer. The lung is the most frequent mesothelioma site however it can be found in the abdomen, the heart or testes.
Asbestos causes mesothelioma by altering the DNA of cells that form the lining of body organs. Mutations that cause cancer could cause tumors to spread and grow. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that has a long period of inactivity between asbestos exposure and symptom.
what are signs of mesothelioma comes due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The highest risk of mesothelioma is for people who handle asbestos at work, such as shipbuilders, electricians, boiler operators, and so on. However, blue-collar jobs that involved contact with asbestos in the workplace prior to the federal regulations were put in place in the 1970s may lead to mesothelioma. Some people were also exposed to mesothelioma by secondhand exposure. These cases involve loved one’s who brought home mesothelioma-causing fibers from their hair, clothing or shoes after working on the construction site.
Veterans are another group of people who are more at risk of mesothelioma. This is because every branch of the military used asbestos extensively on vessels and in their vehicles, as well as in their armor. There are several types of asbestos that were used in the military. However Chrysotile has been associated with mesothelioma.
Other factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma are genetics and radiation exposure. BAP1 gene mutations increase the risk of mesothelioma, and other diseases. The gene controls cell growth and could aid in controlling the development of tumors. The risk of mesothelioma developing is also increased by exposure to Thorium oxide, a radioactive substance that was utilized with X-rays for imaging tests between 1920 to 1950. The BAP1 gene mutation is also associated with melanomas in the eye and skin.
g
Aucune réponse