Causes of Mesothelioma
There has been a significant amount of attention from both the legal and media communities on a lung disease called Mesothelioma. This is a lung cancer that commonly develops from exposure to a substance called asbestos. In Mesothelioma, a thin layer of membrane coats the tissues of the body, including the lungs, and impairs the function of these organs. In the case of the lungs, the lungs are unable to appropriately transfer oxygen to the blood that flows through the lungs. This means that the body does not receive the oxygen it requires to function. It is important for people to understand how asbestos leads to Mesothelioma.
How Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a fibrous substance that was once used regularly to provide insulation to schools, companies, and other buildings in the area. Asbestos is a fibrous material that floats around in the air where asbestos is used. The fibers are inhaled by students, employees, or whoever is in the area. When asbestos is inhaled, it enters the trachea or esophagus and can spread to other areas of the body. From the trachea, asbestos can settle in the lungs. From the esophagus, it can reach the abdominal organs or even the heart. It is important for people to understand that while Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs, it can develop wherever a certain tissue called mesothelium is found. This means that Mesothelioma can develop in the abdomen as well. Therefore, people who swallow asbestos can actually develop a form of the disease known as peritoneal Mesothelioma.
Asbestos and DNA Damage
For people who haven’t been impacted by cancer, cancer is caused by uncontrolled cellular growth resulting from damage to the cell’s DNA. This DNA is important for coding all of the function of the cell, including when to grow and when to rest. If cells grow out of control, they can crowd out the other cells and impair the proper function of the organ. This is what happens in Mesothelioma caused by asbestos.
Asbestos reacts with the mesothelial cells in a harmful reaction that releases by-products that damage the cells in the form of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. These are dangerous forms of relatively common elements that damage the DNA that is involved in cellular division called mitosis. When these reactive species damage the DNA, the cells are no longer subject to the checks and balances that ensure cellular growth will proceed in a controlled process. When the mesothelial cells become damaged, they divide in a prolific manner. In fact, they grow too much. The growth of these cells creates a thin membrane that covers the surfaces of organs, such as the abdomen and the lungs, in the form of tumors. These tumors make it difficult for the cells to exchange essential nutrients, such as oxygen, in an appropriate manner. This leads to the symptoms of Mesothelioma and the harmful effects that have hurt so many innocent families.
Related Articles by Ed Smith:
- What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
- Secondary Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- Occupations Exposed to Mesothelioma
Sacramento Mesothelioma & Wrongful Death Lawyers
My name is Ed Smith. I’m a Sacramento mesothelioma lawyer. If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and have developed Mesothelioma, please call me at (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly advice. You can also reach me toll-free at (800) 404-5400. Or, simply reach out to me via this online form.
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