Causes Of Pleural Mesothelioma

Chemicals

There is some research that points toward chemicals as a leading cause of mesothelioma, but the research remains inconclusive. In particular, thorotrast is a suspected cause. Thorotrast is a suspension compound that contains radioactive particles of thorium dioxide. In the 1930s and 1940s, this material was used in medical radiography as a type of radiocontrast agent.

The main problem with thorium is the body retains it rather than flushing it out, and as the components are radioactive, it harms the body with emitted rays as it decays. Today, it's known to aid in the development of some cancers, including mesothelioma. Thankfully, thorotrast is no longer widely used in the medical field. However, elderly patients who used thorotrast in the past might be at an increased risk of cancer development because of the rays emitted. Mesothelioma is more likely to develop in those with a genetic predisposition.

Radiation

There are rare cases where mesothelioma develops due to irradiation of a person's chest or abdomen, causing cancer to form in the mesothelial cells, which progresses to the same pleural mesothelioma others suffer from. The research into the exact effects of damaging rays on mesothelioma development is minimal and inconclusive.

For the most part, it seems the risk is not that radiation will cause mesothelioma specifically, but that radiation will cause any form of cancer. Because the abdomen and chest were irradiated, lung cancer would be equally likely. It's rare for mesothelioma to form in response to damaging rays alone. When it does, the person often has a genetic predisposition to the disease.