Mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure, is one of the rarest forms of cancer classified by American medical associations. However, researchers from the University of Hawaii may have discovered a way to slow down the growth of mesothelioma after asbestos exposure.

Published in the February 2014 edition of the American Journal of Pathology, the university researchers announced that cell lines of mesothelioma had responded well to selenium, which slowed the cancer considerably. However, the researchers qualified their own findings by stating that some of the cases they observed while using this same method had actually accelerated the cancer development.

Researchers tested the mesothelioma cell lines by exposing them to a variety of selenium concentrations. In two of the tested lines, the selenium exposure caused the mesothelioma progression to become slower, while the other two lines had accelerated. When observed more closely, the researchers found that the cell lines processed oxidation differently, which resulted in their particular response to the selenium. Basically, through oxidative stress, the mesothelioma reacted by either speeding up or slowing down the cancerous growth.

To see if the other lines could be turned favorably, the researchers introduced N-acetylcysteine to the cell lines with the selenium exposure. This resulted in the two cell lines slowing their mesothelioma progression, matching the other two cell lines. According to the researchers, the findings indicate that dietary compounds which include selenium could help mesothelioma patients.

Once again, the researchers involved in this study caution people from getting overtly excited over this development, as they did get some negative results. However, this study has brought new hope, discussion, and investigation into possible mesothelioma treatment options. Medical experts are still discussing this study, and have yet to reach any solid opinions.

Overview of Asbestos Exposure Complications

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous mineral, which can be up to 700 times smaller than a human hair. It was used in a wide variety of manufacturing and construction applications throughout the last century. Due to the slow development of asbestos-related injuries, cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related complications have only started appearing recently.

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Because of the long history of asbestos, mesothelioma litigation has become the longest-running mass tort in the history of the United States, with more than 600,000 plaintiffs filing asbestos exposure lawsuits against more than 6,000 defendants after being diagnosed with mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos fibers.

When left undisturbed, the materials containing asbestos do not pose a health risk to people working or living in affected buildings. However, if the fibers are released, they often become embedded in the mucous membranes of the victim’s nose and throat. While these fibers can be removed at these entry points, they still may pose a danger. Additionally, some asbestos fibers may pass and become ensnared in the lungs or digestive tract.

Three major health concerns have been identified from asbestos exposure:

• Asbestosis: A serious, chronic, non-cancerous respiratory disease. The inhaled asbestos fibers cause scarring in the lung tissue. The symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath, and a dry crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling.
• Lung cancer: Contributes to the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. The most common symptoms are coughing and a breathing-rate change. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness and anemia.
• Mesothelioma: A rare form of cancer that most often occurs in the membrane lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen and (rarely) heart. This sickness is found to be specifically linked to asbestos exposure.