How Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma?
When Asbestos Fibers in the Air Are Inhaled, They Can Get into the Lungs. Fibers That Stay in the Lungs Can Travel to the Ends of the Small Airways and Enter...
When asbestos fibers in the air are inhaled, they can get into the lungs. Fibers that stay in the lungs can travel to the ends of the small airways and enter the pleural lining of the lung and chest wall. These fibers can then injure the cells of the pleura, and, over time, cause mesothelioma.
What is the main cause of mesothelioma?
Asbestos exposure: The primary risk factor for mesothelioma
Most mesotheliomas are thought to be related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a mineral that's found naturally in the environment.
How likely is mesothelioma after asbestos exposure?
Out of all people with heavy, prolonged exposure to asbestos, 2% to 10% develop pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not show until 20-50 years after asbestos exposure, which is when tumors have grown and spread.