Causes of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that comes from asbestos exposure. This condition surfaces in individuals that has worked in factories, mines, shipyards, and other industries that have used asbestos in the past. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of this cancer. The symptoms cause shortness of breath, sharp pains and extreme swelling within chest cavity because if forms in the lining of the lungs. Asbestos exposure for long periods of time is the number one mesothelioma cause.

Asbestos: What is it?
Asbestos is a natural material that was used nationwide in different industries. When this natural material is cut and used it releases tiny fibers that can be inhaled into the lungs. Because asbestos was so durable, effective in its use as insulation, and cost efficient, this made this material very popular among various industries.

Exposure to Asbestos
The main cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Numerous studies have been conducted and show that can cause inflammation within the mesothelial cells that leads to cellular damage and eventually cancer. Once normal function of the cell is lost, then the cell begins to divide and grow and turn into tumors. Exposure to asbestos in the length of two or three months can result in mesothelioma cancer 30 to 40 years later in the exposed individual. Some cases have shown that it can occur up to 70 years later.

Nine out of ten individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer has had some form of asbestos exposure in the best. Some people have been exposed within their home unknowingly. Asbestos was used as a great form of insulation and in roofing materials and have been found in homes as well as used in industries.

Causes of Mesothelioma
While asbestos is the number one cause of mesothelioma, other varying factors contribute to the disease. Smoking has been found to cause mesothelioma. Research shows that smoking damages the lungs and can make it impossible to expel asbestos fibers from the lungs. Smoking can aggravate other conditions related to asbestos such as asbestosis. If a smoker is already suffering from asbestosis, their chances of developing mesothelioma cancer goes up to 84%.

Research has also shown that people that worked in or around asbestos carry this deadly fiber home on their clothing. When this happens then other family members within that home become exposed and breath in or swallow the fibers that float freely in the air. Second hand exposure has been documented several times already.

Radiation has been shown in research to cause mesothelioma. Thorium dioxide was used in x-rays to enhance the image quality on what was needed to be seen. Patients that received thorium dioxide later developed pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. In the 1950's, this substance was found to be a strong carcinogen and discontinued immediately. Over ten million people developed mesothelioma because of radiation.

The SV40 virus that contaminated the polio vaccine between the years of 1955-1963. It has been linked with the increased risk of developing mesothelioma along with exposure in individuals. The SV40 virus has come up in biopsies taken from mesothelioma patients. While it is still inconclusive that the virus alone can cause this form of cancer, it does show a link between the two that causes the increased risk to rise.

If you are a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, seek a second opinion first. When the second opinion comes back and it mimics the first then you or your loved one might be entitled to compensation. To see if you are entitled, call an experienced lawyer that handles mesothelioma cases.