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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Parminder Dhingra, M.D. [2]
Overview
Common causes of mesothelioma include asbestos-fibre exposure, erionite-fibre exposure, Simian virus 40, and radiation exposure.[1]
Causes
Mesothelioma is caused by:[1]
- Asbestos-fibre exposure: causes majority of cases
- Erionite-fibre exposure: naturally occurring mineral used in building, particularly in Turkey
- Simian virus 40 (SV40)
- Radiation exposure
Asbestos
The strongest and most common cause for mesothelioma is occupational exposure to asbestos, which has been widely used in building materials and many industries.[1] Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally and can be separated into long, thin fibres. Asbestos fibres are very fine. When they are inhaled, they can make their way to the smallest airways of the lung and the mesothelium. The fibres get into the lung and settle in the pleura where they can eventually cause pleural mesothelioma. If they are coughed up and then swallowed, asbestos fibres can also settle in the peritoneum. This is probably the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The link between asbestos and mesothelioma has been well known for many years. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the US National Toxicology Program, all forms of asbestos are known to cause cancer. Most people with mesothelioma have a history of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma has a long latency period, which means it usually doesn’t develop for 15–40, or more, years after exposure to asbestos. There are 2 types of exposure to asbestos:
Direct exposure affects people who come into contact with asbestos directly. This may include:[1]
- workers in asbestos mines or mills
- producers of asbestos products or asbestos-based products
- construction workers, carpenters and painters
- shipyard workers
- manufacturers of cement
- insulation workers
- electricians and heating tradespeople
- plumbers
- demolition workers
- automotive industry workers, including brake and clutch repair workers
- people who live near an asbestos factory or mine
- people who worked in buildings where asbestos was present and was disturbed
Indirect exposure affects people who come in contact with asbestos in other ways. This may include:[1]
- family members who are exposed to asbestos from fibres brought home on a worker’s clothing
- people living close to a mine who may be exposed to asbestos in dust
The risk of exposure to asbestos is highest for people who mine and export asbestos or those who work with it in manufacturing. The risk of developing mesothelioma is related to how much asbestos a person was exposed to and how long the exposure lasted. People exposed at an early age, for a long period of time and to greater amounts of asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. Occasionally, mesothelioma develops in people who have never been exposed to asbestos.[1]
Erionite
Erionite is a known human carcinogen that is linked to the development of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. It is a naturally-occurring mineral that belongs to a group of minerals called zeolites.[1] Zeolites are chemically related to asbestos and erionite has asbestos-like fibres. Erionite is common in the soil in parts of Turkey and materials made with erionite are used in construction in these regions. High rates of mesothelioma in these areas are due to exposure to this mineral.[1]
Ionizing Radiation
People who have been treated with radiation therapy to the chest or abdomen for lymphoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, or other cancers can cause mesothelioma.[1] Although the risk of mesothelioma is higher in people who have been treated with radiation therapy, mesothelioma is likely to occur in only a very small number of these people. There have been reports linking mesothelioma to Thorotrast (thorium dioxide). Thorotrast is a contrast medium once used for imaging tests, but it is no longer used.[1]
Simian virus 40
Infection with SV40 may cause mesothelioma. Between 1955 and 1963, some polio vaccines were contaminated with SV40, which may have contributed to some cases of mesothelioma. It is thought that SV40 may act as a co-factor with asbestos in causing mesothelioma.[1]