Malignant mesothelioma is one of the most prominent health risks associated with asbestos exposure, often being discovered at a late stage in patients. This means that there are often limited treatment options and shorted life expectancy for the victims.

Researchers have noted that there are several factors that can increase the likelihood of mesothelioma, including prolonged asbestos exposure, but researchers are not sure what factors may make it malignant mesothelioma.

The medical community also knows little about the specifics of how malignant mesothelioma develops.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer that manifests in the mucus lining of the lungs. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. More specifically, this disease can occur if asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed and become lodged in the lung’s mucus lining. Malignant cancers are considered dangerous as the cells can grow and divide uncontrollably and quickly, destroying tissue and migrating to other parts of the body.

The exact effects of asbestos exposure are unknown, but the material has been shown to have carcinogenic effects like impacting the patient’s DNA. When DNA becomes damaged, the body’s cells may stop working properly.

When the asbestos fibers become lodged in the mucus lining, it creates the possibility for abnormal cell growth, which is ultimately the first stage of malignant mesothelioma development.

Malignant Mesothelioma Risk Factors

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare disease. Other factors than just asbestos exposure may be contributing when it develops inside a patient.

One of these factors could be a genetic predisposition, with researchers finding a higher risk in people with BAP1 gene changes, which is a gene that helps regulate cell growth.

Another possibility is that patients infected with the SV40 virus may be at higher risk for malignant mesothelioma, but researchers have found no direct correlation. According to lab studies, researchers found that this virus can impact certain genes that have been associated with cancer but no definitive links have been found.

A third at risk group are patients who have undergone other cancer treatments like radiation who may face an increased risk for malignant mesothelioma because of the damage radiation does to the body’s cells.

Asbestos Dangers

Essentially, malignant mesothelioma and other cancers are caused by uncontrolled cell growth that is triggered by unusual injuries or damages to the body. Asbestos is one of the most well known carcinogenic materials that has been known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and other serious health problems in patients.

Asbestos was popularly used for a variety of construction, manufacturing, and industrial purposes before the 1980s, and used in almost every aspect of the consumer market. Asbestos was cheap to use and resistant to fire and chemical damages, which made it a popular choice for consumers and manufacturers.

Asbestos reached its peak in popularity during World War II, after the material was implemented in a number of United States Navy ships for insulation piping.

Eventually the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal passed regulations that severely limited the use of asbestos.

Asbestos is considered harmless when dormant. It becomes dangerous when released into the air, putting people at risk for inhaling or swallowing the fibers. Manufacturing companies, landlords, and other individuals who own or used asbestos products must provide disclosures to the people in the surrounding environment, provide protective gear, and follow a strict procedure when getting it removed.