Is Mesothelioma a Genetic Ailment?
Mesothelioma is one of the most dangerous forms of cancer. It has a high fatality rate due to its long detection period. As a result, when it is detected, it is already in an advanced stage, resulting in the survival rate of its sufferer being very low.
However, doctors have been reporting a disturbing discovery with respect to mesothelioma cases. Up until recently, almost all mesothelioma cases were reported in aging adults who were exposed to asbestos at varying levels over 30 years ago. Now, they are finding an increasing number of mesothelioma cases being reported in children.
Now, how could this happen, when all research is based on the disease having a long incubation period and these kids have not being living for so long? Research on the issue of mesothelioma is still in the early stages. Many theories are being developed. Most prevalent among them is whether the disease is hereditary.
The thought of the disease being hereditary stems from the fact that regulations created in the seventies prevented the use of asbestos in building construction. Although there a lot of buildings that still have asbestos, the amount is not enough to trigger the alarm bells that we are seeing with the cases of mesothelioma in children.
In a research conducted by Dr. Moran on mesothelioma in children, it was discovered that the children who were suffering from mesothelioma all had the pericardial mesothelioma strain of the disease. This is contrary to trends in adults who mainly suffer from the plural form of the disease.
Now there are many supporters of the theory that the disease that mesothelioma is hereditary. This is based on the fact that some doctors believe that all forms of cancer can be transferred down family lines. Actually, studies show that 5 – 10% of all forms of cancer are hereditary. As a result, although very remote, there might be some passing of the cancer gene from a mesothelioma-diagnosed parent through to their child.
In addition, remember that the size of the asbestos particles that causes the most damage is at minute sizes that are able to penetrate cells. As a result, these asbestos particles can pass easily from mother to child by traveling through the umbilical cord. With its delicate structure, the body of an infant will provide little resistance to the development of the cancerous cells of mesothelioma.
However, there is some opposition to these theories. Those opposing the theory have still yet to come up with conclusive evidence that supports the disagreement but base their disagreement on previous studies about the incubation period of the disease. Many have struck a compromise and have agreed that there is a problem and certainly more room for research on this developing trend. As a result, since mesothelioma is so rare in children, those who oppose the theory have a hard time making a diagnosis of the disease in children although these kids complain of all the major symptoms of chest pains, bloating and stomach fluid buildup.
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