Mesothelioma - Aetiology and Pathogenesis
The term Mesothelioma
refers to a malignant tumour arising from the mesothelium of the serous
cavities of the body.
Diagram of pleural mesothelioma
Link between mesothelioma and asbestos was first reported in 1960 by Wagner et al. who demonstrated a high incidence of the tumour among asbestos workers in Cape Province of South Africa. (Diffuse pleural mesotheliomas and asbestos exposure in the north western Cape Province. Br J Ind Med 1960; 17:260-271 ; The discovery of the association between blue asbestos and mesotheliomas and the aftermath. Br J Ind Med 1991; 48:399-403.)
Since then several publications have reported mesothelioma in various occupational groups ( Example- Shipyard workers ; insulation workers ; asbestos cement workers and gas mask manufacturers ).
The main sources of environmental, non-occupational exposure to asbestos or asbestiform fibres are:
a) industrial plants in which asbestos was used in the production process;
b) asbestos "in place" (mainly in buildings);
c) contaminated soils.
Site: The pleura is most frequently involved, then the peritoneum, the pericardial sac and the lining of a hydrocele sac (the tunica vaginalis of the testes) in order of decreasing frequency.
Age and Sex: Mesothelioma is a tumour of adult life that mainly affects persons older than 50 and occurs more commonly in men than in women.
Clinical features : General malaise ; weight loss ; pain chest ; shortness of breath ; a haemorrhagic effusion ; usually unilateral ; on enquiry, a history of asbestos exposure.
Aetiology and pathogenesis:
(i) Asbestos induced mesothelioma ; (ii) Non asbestos associated mesothelioma.
(i) Asbestos induced mesothelioma ;
Asbestos fibres - Physical properties:
Asbestos includes heterogeneous group of hydrated fibrous silicates.
The two main varieties are Serpentine and Amphibole.
Serpentine: Crysotile or white asbestos belongs to Serpentine family.
Amphibole: Crocidolite or blue asbestosis ; amosite ; anthropylite; tremolite ; actinolite.
All forms are fire resistant and insulating.
Asbestos is used in the following products: Paints ; plastics ; textile; brakes; clutch lining ; pipes ; sheet; vinyl-asbestos tiles.
Serpentine (crysotile) fibres: Curved large fibres which tend to be deposited in the upper airways.
Amphibole (crocidolite ) fibres: Smaller straight fibres which penetrate into the lower respiratory tract. The fibres are up to 30 micron in length and 0.5 micron in diameter.
Ferruginous bodies: Coated fibres with protein and iron precipated on the surface. They appear golden brown, drumstick shaped, up to 30 micron in length and 6 micron in diameter.
Asbestos bodies (curious bodies) were first reported in 1924 in African asbestos miners.
(ii) Non-asbestos associated mesothelioma:
1. Non-asbestiform fibres - Eronite ; Organic fibres- mesothelioma has been recorded in sugar cane workers.
2. Radiation - It has been suggested that combined exposure to atomic radiation and asbestos is associated with an increased incidence of malignant mesothelioma.
3. Viruses - Association of simian virus 40 (SV40) with malignant mesothelioma has been reported, suggesting that SV40 plays an important role in the origin of a subset of these tumors.
4. Chronic inflammation-
5. Heavy metals -nickel and beryllium ;
6. Chemical agents - Diethylstilboestrol.
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