Causes of Mesothelioma Cancer

The causes of mesothelioma have been under study for several decades. It is estimated that nine out of ten cases of mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos, the mineral which was once widely used in construction materials, brake pad linings, and hundreds of other products found in everyday life. Other possible but as yet unproven causes of Mesothelioma Cancer are discussed below.

Genetic Mutation of Cells

According to the Mayo Clinic, the causes of mesothelioma can be traced to the genetic mutation that turns healthy cells into cancer cells. These abnormal cells multiply randomly and don't die as normal cells do. The accumulation of cancer cells forms a tumor, which can invade other body tissues and spread further through the body.

It's not yet known what causes the genetic mutation that leads to the cancer mesothelioma, and the interaction of several factors appears to affect its incidence:

· Inherited conditions
· A given individual's environment
· Overall health
· Lifestyle choices such as smoking

Asbestos Exposure Initiates Mutation

This genetic mutation can apparently be initiated when asbestos fibers lodge in the lungs or other internal organs. Some 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with Mesothelioma Cancer year in the United States alone. Nearly all of these unfortunate individuals have asbestos exposure in their history. However, a complete determination of the exact causes of mesothelioma is desirable and would be very helpful in the fight to find a cure for this devastating disease.

A Nationwide Study of the Causes of Mesothelioma

A large-scale research and clinical study with the purpose of finding out more about the causes of mesothelioma is being conducted in the United Kingdom. This "National Study of Occupation and Lung Diseases" is designed to more closely identify causes of mesothelioma among the thousands of victims in the UK, and the results will shed light on causes of mesothelioma in individuals all over the world.

Other Causes of Mesothelioma Cancer

In studies using animals, the Simian virus (SV40) was found to cause mesothelioma. Some polio vaccines given during the mid-1950s to the early 1960s were found to be contaminated with SV40, but no definitive link between SV40 and mesothelioma has been established.

In contrast, there are a handful of documented cases of mesothelioma in patients who underwent x-ray imaging that used thorium dioxide. These x-rays have not been in use for many years because of the link between thorium dioxide and cancer.

If you are concerned about the causes of mesothelioma in someone you know, contact mesothelioma treatment center for more information.

Source:www.mesotheliomatreatmentcenters.org