Can Mesothelioma Be Genetic?

Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014.



A new study out of Italy suggests that a person is more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma if a sibling has the disease. That is especially true if both siblings were also exposed to asbestos.

Scientists from Sapienza University and the Lazio Regional Health Service in Rome, as well as industrial disease experts from Viterbo, Italy searched a database including 10 percent of the Italian population to find familial clusters of mesothelioma cases. Among the 997 cases of mesothelioma recorded between 1980 and 2012, the team found 34 familial cases and 13 clusters. Together, these clusters accounted for 3.4% of all mesotheliomas in the database.

"The most common clusters were those with affected siblings and unaffected parents," reports Associate Professor Valeria Ascoli with the Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences at Sapienza University. Seven of these clusters were among people who shared the same occupational exposure to asbestos, the primary cause of mesothelioma.

Three of the clustered Italian mesothelioma cases were among people who encountered asbestos either in the same household or in their surrounding environment. In three of the clusters, there was not enough information about the asbestos exposure history of the mesothelioma patients to say where, or even if, they might have been commonly exposed.

Although there was no evidence of a genetic component in most of the mesothelioma cases reviewed, the 3.4% of cases that occurred in families or communities was enough to convince the researchers that genetic mesothelioma susceptibility could exist. They hypothesize that, in certain people, a genetic propensity toward mesothelioma acts together with asbestos exposure to trigger the disease. However they say the data is not sufficient to estimate what proportion of mesothelioma patients in the study were genetically inclined to develop it.

Mesothelioma is a virulent lung-related cancer directly linked to asbestos inhalation or ingestion. Most mesothelioma patients encountered asbestos in the work place, where they were not properly warned or protected against it. Although several studies like this one have suggested that genetics may play a role, scientists are still at a loss to explain exactly why only a small percentage of asbestos-exposed people develop mesothelioma.

Ascoli, V et al, "Familial malignant mesothelioma: A population-based study in Central Italy (1980-2012)", March 27, 2014, Cancer Epidemiology, Epub ahead of print

Original Post By: http://ift.tt/1icDMA6

Source : http://ift.tt/1icDMA8

Can Mesothelioma Be Genetic?

Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014.



A new study out of Italy suggests that a person is more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma if a sibling has the disease. That is especially true if both siblings were also exposed to asbestos.

Scientists from Sapienza University and the Lazio Regional Health Service in Rome, as well as industrial disease experts from Viterbo, Italy searched a database including 10 percent of the Italian population to find familial clusters of mesothelioma cases. Among the 997 cases of mesothelioma recorded between 1980 and 2012, the team found 34 familial cases and 13 clusters. Together, these clusters accounted for 3.4% of all mesotheliomas in the database.

"The most common clusters were those with affected siblings and unaffected parents," reports Associate Professor Valeria Ascoli with the Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences at Sapienza University. Seven of these clusters were among people who shared the same occupational exposure to asbestos, the primary cause of mesothelioma.

Three of the clustered Italian mesothelioma cases were among people who encountered asbestos either in the same household or in their surrounding environment. In three of the clusters, there was not enough information about the asbestos exposure history of the mesothelioma patients to say where, or even if, they might have been commonly exposed.

Although there was no evidence of a genetic component in most of the mesothelioma cases reviewed, the 3.4% of cases that occurred in families or communities was enough to convince the researchers that genetic mesothelioma susceptibility could exist. They hypothesize that, in certain people, a genetic propensity toward mesothelioma acts together with asbestos exposure to trigger the disease. However they say the data is not sufficient to estimate what proportion of mesothelioma patients in the study were genetically inclined to develop it.

Mesothelioma is a virulent lung-related cancer directly linked to asbestos inhalation or ingestion. Most mesothelioma patients encountered asbestos in the work place, where they were not properly warned or protected against it. Although several studies like this one have suggested that genetics may play a role, scientists are still at a loss to explain exactly why only a small percentage of asbestos-exposed people develop mesothelioma.

Ascoli, V et al, "Familial malignant mesothelioma: A population-based study in Central Italy (1980-2012)", March 27, 2014, Cancer Epidemiology, Epub ahead of print

Original Post By: http://ift.tt/1icDMA6

Source : http://ift.tt/1icDMA8

Metro Mother Shares Rare Story of Mesothelioma and Survival

Though law firms often advertise about the dangers of asbestos and mesothelioma, a Roseville mom wants the public to know there is much more to the story.

Heather Von St. James was diagnosed with mesothelioma when she was 36 years old. She had a three-month-old daughter at home. Though it was supposed to be the happiest time in her life, her future changed suddenly because of the asbestos found deep in her past.

Von St. James grew up in a small town in South Dakota. She always considered herself a "daddy's girl."

"Wearing my dad's coat felt good to me and it was something I loved to do," Von St. James said.

As a construction worker, her dad often worked on demolition or clean up jobs. His coat, car and shoes were covered daily in a dangerous dust.

"It would be crusty, like gray crusty dust on it," Von St. James said.

It was not until her mid 30's that she realized that crust had given her cancer.

"A truck parked on my chest is what it felt like. Just this weight, and I couldn't breathe, and I couldn't take a deep breath," Von St. James said.

Doctors diagnosed her with mesothelioma. She had her left lung removed and now wishes asbestos would have the same fate.

"It's still around and that's what's so frustrating. It's not banned in the United States," Von St. James said.

This month, the Minnesota Department of Health is warning against asbestos. It is found in more than 3,600 older building products like plaster, tiles and roofing.

About 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.

"It's somewhat of a rare condition that would happen but it's a really high risk and so it's the sort of risk that you don't want to take," said Scott Smith, Public Information Officer with the Minnesota Department of Health.

Despite the high risk, Von St. James is now celebrating eight years as a mother and survivor.

"I'm not going to have the victim's mentality. No matter what happens I'm always triumphant and I'm always happy with the road that I'm on," Von St. James said.

If you are demolishing or remodeling, the Minnesota Department of Health recommends getting an inspection. If asbestos is found, they advise getting it removed by a certified contractor.

To learn more about asbestos, contamination and contractors click here.

Von St. James now blogs about her experience. You can read her posts here.





Original Post By: http://ift.tt/1liio4G

Source : http://ift.tt/1liio4G