Asbestos Link to Mesothelioma

Asbestos is the only established cause of mesothelioma.  Mesothelioma caused by asbestos is a result of asbestos fibers lodging in the mesothelium, which is a membrane around the lungs and other vital organs.  Inhaled asbestos fibers are miniscule particles not visible to the naked eye.

Asbestos exposure can be elusive because people may not realize that they were exposed.  People can unknowingly be exposed at their homes, schools, and workplaces or by second-hand contact with people who have asbestos fibers on their clothing.  This is why there are known mesothelioma cases where the victim has no recollection of asbestos exposure.

Advanced technology confirms the link

Statistical analysis backs up the connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.  Advanced technology confirms the link and that asbestos exposure underlies increased mesothelioma occurrences.

Lung tissue studies from 29 mesothelioma patients in Finland with a known work history were submitted to analysis through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray microanalysis.  These technologies allowed scientists to determine and measure the size of the asbestos fibers, their concentration density in the lung tissue, and the type of asbestos fibers (there are six asbestos types).

Mesothelioma

Although asbestos fibers can be inhaled and most are expelled, some fibers lodge permanently in the mesothelium.  Medical professionals embrace two theories as the explanation for how asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma:

• Over prolonged and concentrated asbestos exposure, the fibers in the lining build up and irritate the tissue, causing inflammation and scarring.  The immune cell response to the asbestos fibers results in more cells dying, more scarring, and finally cancer cells beginning to reproduce out of control.
• Asbestos fibers affect individual mesothelial cells by damaging DNA, cell division, or some particular cell function.  The result is that DNA no longer properly regulates cell growth or reproduction, which results in unchecked cell reproduction, creating thickened, spreading cancerous tissue.