What Are the Causes of Benign Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that can lie dormant for decades and kill within months of the onset of symptoms. Sadly, the cancer is incurable, although there are some patients who benefit from chemotherapy. The cancer can have several causes, and depending on variables like a person's work history and family history, you may be at risk.

Asbestos

• Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral once used in building materials like insulation. When inhaled or ingested, asbestos particles can damage the lungs or lining of the abdomen, ultimately leading to cancer in some people.

Occupational Exposure

• There is no level of asbestos exposure that is considered safe, although it is generally accepted that long-term exposure to asbestos-laden materials is most dangerous. Such exposure often occurs in the workplace.

At-risk Professions

• Professions that often involved exposure to asbestos (either currently or in past decades) have included auto mechanics, shipyard workers, Navy servicemen, plumbers, teachers and electricians, among many others.

Other Causes

• Frighteningly, mesothelioma can manifest in people who had never come into direct contact with asbestos. In these cases, the patient often is exposed to residual asbestos fibers on the work clothing of their husbands or fathers.

Taconite

• Recent research has indicated that exposure to taconite ore may also cause mesothelioma.