How Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?
Internal organs and body cavities are covered by a thin tissue membrane called mesothelium. This lining covers the lungs (where it is called the pleura), the heart (where it is known as the pericardium), and body cavities such as the abdominal cavity (where it is called the peritoneum). The mesothelium provides both support and protection for organs and body cavities, as well as serves as a source of lubrication that helps support organ function and health.
Mesothelioma develops in the linings of organs and body cavities, typically in the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum. In very rare cases, mesothelioma may develop in the lining of the testicles, known as the tunica vaginalis.
The exact method by which asbestos causes mesothelioma is still being researched, but medical professionals offer four different theories:
• Asbestos causes irritation and inflammation of mesothelial cells, eventually leading to irreversible scarring, cellular damage, and eventually cancer.
• Asbestos fibers enter cells and disrupt the function of cellular structures that are essential for normal cell division, causing cellular changes that lead to cancer.
• Asbestos causes the production of oxygen “free radicals.” These molecules damage cellular DNA and cause cells to mutate and become cancerous.
• The presence of asbestos causes cells to produce oncoproteins. These molecules cause mesothelial cells to ignore normal cellular division restraints, leading to cancer.
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