Causes of Mesothelioma: Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma:
Exposure to asbestos through job related duties or in a particular environment is a primary cause of mesothelioma. In pleural mesothelioma asbestos particles are directly inhaled into lungs and pleural region. Once these fibers have entered the lungs, they work their way to the pleural membrane. Inhaling asbestos causes a build-up of fibers inside the lungs, and due to the microscopic size and sharpness of the fibers it is possible for them to penetrate the walls of the lung and enter the pleural cavity.
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lung and chest cavity known as the pleura. The pleura is made up of the parietal and visceral pleura. The parietal pleura lines the chest wall and diaphragm while the visceral pleura lines the lungs.
Fluid between these two membranes allows asbestos particles to slip against one another as the lungs expand and contract. Once there the body finds it difficult to dislodge the asbestos particles through normal body mechanisms. As a result they remain there for a very long time. When asbestos fibers settle in the pleura, they cause inflammation which leads to development of malignant cancer.
After such a long latency period they start interfering with the mesothelial cells in the pleural region and cause changes in the pleural cells. As a result of this interference the normal functioning of the mesothelial cells is disrupted and they start growing in an uncontrolled manner. This uncontrolled growth leads to the thickening of the pleural walls and building up of fluid in the pleural area. Eventually the formation of cancerous tissues (tumors) takes place. Asbestos fibers cause changes in these pleural cells, which may cause scarring of the lungs and, eventually, the formation of tumors. When this happens, the patient feels distorting pain & shortness of breath. Also, if pleural mesothelioma develops into advanced stages, it can spread to nearby organs such as the heart, lymph nodes and abdomen.
Tags: Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer, Causes of Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Cancer, Mesothelioma Information, Pleural Mesothelioma