The Mesothelioma
A (malignant) mesothelioma, also known as pleural cancer or cancer of the pleura, is a specific tumor, caused by the inhalation of asbestos. Asbestos fibers are inhaled and lodge in the lung membranes. There they stimulate the lining cells and they bring such changes, these cells into malignant tumor cells change.
What is mesothelioma and how does it work?
A mesothelioma is a cancer of the serous membranes. Typically this involves the lungs and pleurae but occasionally the peritoneum (10%) or the pericardium (in less than 1% of cases). It is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, and in particular to crocidolite. The asbestos fibers of this kind are long and very thin. Once inhaled, these fibers deep in the lung and are capable of coating the cells of the serous membranes (the mesothelial cells) so as to stimulate that genetic changes, and disturbances in cell division, which eventually degenerate into malignant cells. Under normal conditions, these cells die off. Due to the specific genetic changes and the resulting inflammatory response and stimulation of cell growth, these cells can however survive and become malignant. A virus may play a role in the development of mesothelioma. In the Netherlands, every year 400 new cases of mesothelioma. Only after 2018 will decrease the number of new cases. This decrease is due to the asbestos decision from 1991, making use of asbestos in the Netherlands is prohibited.
Based on histological characteristics distinguish four types of mesothelioma. The epithelial, sarcomatous it, it desmoplatische and mixed (epithelial and sarcomateus) type. The last type is the most common.
At present mesothelioma in the Netherlands seen as an occupational disease for which compensation can be received. The Asbestos Institute mediates herein.
