a amligrant mesothelioma

A (malignant) mesothelioma, also known as pleural cancer, is a specific lung cancer, caused by the inhalation of asbestos. Asbestos fibers are inhaled and lodge in the lung membranes. There they stimulate the lining cells and ensure they change such that these cells into malignant tumor cells change.

A malignant mesothelioma is a cancer of the serous membranes. Usually this means the lung membranes, but occasionally the peritoneum (10%) or the pericardium (less than 1% of cases). It is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos and particularly to crocidolite. The asbestos fibers of this type are long and very thin. After these fibers are inhaled deep into the lung and the lining cells are capable of serous membranes (mesothelial cells) so as to provoke genetic changes that occur and disturbances in cell division, which ultimately degenerate into malignant cells. Under normal circumstances, these cells die off. By the specific genetic changes and the resulting inflammatory response stimulate cell growth, these cells can survive and become malignant, however. A virus may play a role in the development of malignant mesothelioma. In the Netherlands every year 400 new cases of malignant mesothelioma for. Only after 2018 will decrease the number of new cases. This decrease is due to the asbestos decision, allowing use of asbestos in the Netherlands is prohibited.
Based on histological features four distinct types of malignant mesothelioma. The epithelial, the sarcomateuze, the desmoplatische and mixed (epithelial and sarcomateus) type. The latter type is the most common.
At the moment mesothelioma in the Netherlands as an occupational disease for which compensation can be obtained. The Institute of Asbestos Victims mediates herein.