Mesothelioma risk factors

Risk factors
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure exists in almost all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. In rare cases, mesothelioma has also been associated with irradiation, intrapleural thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), and inhalation of other fibrous silicates, such as erionite.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

The combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the airways (lung cancer, bronchial carcinoma). The Kent brand of cigarettes used asbestos in its filters for the first few years of production in the 1950s and some cases of mesothelioma have resulted. Smoking modern cigarettes does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma.

Some studies suggest that simian virus 40 (SV40) may act as a cofactor in the development of mesothelioma.

Asbestos:
 * Asbestos is the commercial name for a group of hydrated magnesium silicate fibrous minerals.
 * Approximately 8 million persons are thought to have had occupational exposure to asbestos.
 * The typical persons exposed to asbestos
 * pipe fitters
 * miners
 * boilermakers
 * family members whose only exposure was washing out the worker’s clothes
 * It is still used in the manufacture of cement, brake lining and shipbuilding.
 * Exposure can lead to a diffuse fibrosing interstitial lung disease.
 * The lung disease is related to the intensity and duration of exposure.
 * There are two major types:
 * serpentine
 * amphibole
 * 90% used in the U.S. was the less carcinogenic serpentine
 * Nonetheless, the risk of malignancy is increased in the patient exposed.
 * They have a 50% chance of dying from cancer compared to the average, 18%.
 * 8% will die from respiratory failure.