Medical science determined long ago that the primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos fibers, whether inhaled, ingested or both. But are there other ways this particularly deadly form of cancer can develop? Here are some commonly asked questions about the disease, along with information on the latest medical research.

What is Mesothelioma?

Science Direct explains that mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium, which are the layers of tissue that surround the internal organs, including the heart and lungs, liver and digestive organs and reproductive organs of the pelvis. Its function is to provide protection and lubrication for the organs, allowing them to move and function properly.

How do Asbestos Fibers Cause Mesothelioma?

As a primary cause of mesothelioma, according to the American Cancer Society, asbestos fibers that are ingested or inhaled cause chronic inflammation that results in mutations of the victim’s DNA. The disease is associated with specific types of asbestos belonging to a group of silicate minerals known as amphibole.

This kind of asbestos is made up of hard, microscopic, needle-like fibers. When these enter the lungs or digestive tract, they begin to drill through organ tissues from the inside out. This is what causes the inflammation resulting in DNA damage, which in turn leads to the formation of malignant cells.

Mesothelioma is still a rare cancer; the majority of people who are exposed to asbestos do not develop this specific form of cancer. It is not known why some do while others do not, however.

What Other Cancers Can Develop from Asbestos Exposure?

According to Cancer.gov, there is a significant body of data that points to an asbestos exposure link to cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovaries. There is also less data, but still, a sizable amount indicating a possible connection to colon, rectal, and stomach cancer as well as cancer of the pharynx. As a point of clarification, the larynx is the voice box and is situated near the trachea above the lungs whereas the pharynx is behind the nasal canal and part of the digestive tract which runs from the nose and mouth down to the rectum.

How Does Smoking Affect the Development of Mesothelioma?

The use of tobacco presents another layer of risk that someone exposed to asbestos often cannot afford. While this source underscores that there is no data proving the chance of getting mesothelioma is increased with smoking, there is evidential support that lung cancer risk is enhanced by the use of tobacco products. There is a certain risk level associated with smoking and a certain risk level associated with asbestos exposure. When the two factors overlap, the risk level is greater than the sum of both.

If I Suspect Asbestos Exposure, Are There Tests I Can Take?

A chest X-ray is using the first test given. Although an x-ray cannot identify the actual presence of asbestos fibers, it can help ascertain signs of early disease. Another test available is a bronchoscopy that can actually detect fibers in material rinsed out of the patient’s lungs. The final and most invasive test is the lung biopsy which microscopically examines tissue removed from the lungs surgically.

What are the Treatment Options?

Unlike most malignant tumors, mesothelioma develops in a flat, sheet-like manner over the course of many years or even decades. Because of this, it is very difficult to diagnose (mesothelioma was originally believed to be a form of lung cancer and was not properly identified until the late 1950s). By the time the disease is diagnosed, it is usually advanced and treatment options are extremely limited. In most cases, all that can be done is to offer palliative treatment.

Is There Another Cause of Mesothelioma?

Approximately 80 percent of all cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in people who have been exposed to amphibole asbestos. The latest research suggests that the remaining 20 percent have been exposed to radiation in the course of treatments for other types of cancer. Although researchers are not 100 percent positive of this link, the idea is not surprising; radiation exposure has long been known to cause DNA mutations that result in the formation of malignant tumors.

What About Talc?

In recent years, a number of lawsuits over baby powder containing asbestos-laden talc have been filed by plaintiffs suffering from mesothelioma. Although the manufacturers named as defendants in these lawsuits claim their talc products have never contained asbestos, geologists tell us that talc is often found in proximity to asbestos deposits; in the past, commercial talc was often found to contain asbestos contamination, making it one more possible cause of mesothelioma.