Asbestos exposure is known to be the single cause of mesothelioma for many years now. By inhaling the tiny asbestos fibers, people allow them to reach soft tissue, like the chest or abdominal wall lining (pleura, peritoneum or pericardium). The tiny fibers act like needles, creating scar tissue and allowing for mesothelioma tumors (or carcinomas) to appear.
Types of Mesothelioma Tumors
Depending on the type of mesothelioma, experts have established 2 types of tumors:
* benign tumors (do not spread, and will not create metastasis)
* malignant tumors (will spread, in some cases very fast and are able to develop into metastasis)
Asbestos cancer is defined often times by the presence of a large number of tumors, usually placed near the lungs (which is why asbestos cancer is also referred to as “asbestos lung cancer”). Asbestosis does not develop mesothelioma tumors, but if left untreated, may be able to develop into tumors that are malignant.
In an epithelial type of mesothelioma, tumors can also be found in the lungs. The difference between the tumors inside the lung and the ones outside is that lung tumors will be much smaller but in a larger number. They also appear in a different way when viewed under a microscope. Doctors should be able to easily distinguish between types of tumors.
What Types of Asbestos Causes Tumors to Appear?
People that are usually exposed to asbestos are workers in specific industrial fields that use this kind of mineral in the production process of different finished products. These factories use different types of asbestos, and all of these types are harmful and will allow tumors to develop:
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