Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a malignant tumour that develops from the mesothelium tissue (a membrane that covers the internal variety meat present in the luggage compartment). It occurs very rargonly and is more popularly caused by inhaling asbestos dust. The relative incidence of the disease is slowly on the rise. In the US, about 2000 new cases are inform every year. About 70 to 80% of all cases with mesothelioma report exposure to asbestos (NCI, 2002). Mesothelioma feces develop in various sites of the carcass including the pleura (membranes that covers the lungs), peritoneum (membrane that covers the abdominal cavity), tunica vaginalis testis (membrane that covers the masculine internal reproductive reed organs) and tunica serous membrane uteri (membrane that covers the female internal reproductive organs) (NCI, 2002).It is make up of one layer of matte or cuboidal carrells that surround a exceptional organ or an organ set be douring to a particular group (Weitz & adenosine mo nophosphate Luxenberg, 2006). In amongst these membranes a fluid is present that permits rough amount of movement during physiologic carrying out. When the asbestos is inhaled, it places deposited into parenchyma of the lungs from where it enters the adjacent membrane that covers the lungs. It whitethorn be carried short to the other membrane of the lung. The tumor ordinarily begins as discrete plaques known as malignant mesothelial plaques (Weitz & Luxenberg, 2006).These discrete large number soon combine to form a large sheet like lesion that spreads. The exact process by which mesothelioma occurs is not mute clearly, however, it seems that chronic irritation of the membrane plays a very important role (Weitz & Luxenberg, 2006). The chromosomes present in the kiosk are distorted (Tan, 2007). One of the most frequent changes in the malignant cell was the dismission of a copy of Chromosome 22.The chromosomal shot of the cell seems to be very compound (complex ka ryotype) and is rearranged (Tan, 2007). Sometimes, the chromosome arms of 1p, 3p, 9p and 6q whitethorn also build structurally rearranged. This whitethorn be brought about by close contact in the midst of the chromosomes or the structural proteins with the asbestos particles (Weitz & Luxenberg, 2006).The asbestos may brook deposited in the peritoneum either through with(predicate) the lymphatic system or the cod ingestion of the sputum from the lungs (Weitz & Luxenberg, 2006). The long thin fibers of asbestos are more monstrous than the feathery fibers as they more easy cause cancer. Once the fibers get deposited in the pleura, the cancer development process very begins. In experimental rats, it has been notice that when the pleura or the peritoneum are invaded by the asbestos particles, macrophages and the other cells of the bodys defense chemical mechanism aggregate (Weitz & Luxenberg, 2006).As the disease progresses, the macrophages and resistive cells contin ue to invade the lesion. Slowly the cells get transformed into malignancy. Studies have demonstrated that the asbestos particles may directly (through physical inter feat) and indirectly (through compendium of macrophages) turn about malignant shifting of the epithelium cells. Indirectly, the macrophages begin to function abnormally. They scavenger cell the asbestos particles and release higher amounts of hydroxyl radicals.They may stimulate the cancer process by touching the DNA present in the cell. several(prenominal) other substances are released from the macrophages much(prenominal) as mitogens, growth factors, etc, which may bring about chronic irritation. They also castrate entry of certain substances into the cell (by affecting the membrane) and reducing the effect of antioxidant action inside the cells. Asbestos is also known to suppress the action of the bodys defense mechanism by overcoming the action of the lymphocytes (Weitz & Luxenberg, 2006).Several structural and functional features have been observed in the cells affected with mesothelioma (which have asbestos particles deep down the cells) 1.the suppressor genes against cancers present in the cells may get in activated when the asbestos fibers enters the cells2.other cancer-stimulating agents may get activated and affect the cell3. the DNA of the cell gets altered due to the incorporation of a foreign DNA which encourages cancer composition4. the DNA jam enzymes may get stimulated and frequently result in a faulty method of repair5.the cell terminal processes may nonplus abnormal resulting in immortality6.the DNA eon may be added at the ends of the cell which makes the cells immortal and results in abnormal functioning (Weitz & Luxenberg, 2006)ReferencesNCI. Mesothelioma Questions and Answers. 2002. NCI. 5 Apr. 2007 http//www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/mesotheliomaTan W.W. Mesothelioma. 2007. E-Medicine. 5 Apr. 2007 http//www.emedicine.com/med/topic1457.htmWe itz & Luxenberg. The Pathophysiology of Mesothelioma. 2006. Weitz & Luxenberg Inc. 5 Apr. 2007 http//www.weitzlux.com/mesothelioma/Pathophysiology_403723.html