Mesothelioma is caused when the individual has been exposed to a natural mineral called asbestos for a long period of time and when no protective equipment was used. After the initial exposure, the victim will not experience any kind of health problems related to asbestos because the disease stays latent for a long period, from to 50 or even 60 years in some cases.
Average Mesothelioma Latency Period
Asbestos cancer is caused by the tiny asbestos fibers acting as needles on thin tissue and causing inflammation in the area. This allows cancer cells to develop, but it takes very long for the fibers to reach the tissue they can implant themselves in. This period is called the mesothelioma latency period and, as mentioned above, it ranges from 10 to 60 years in some cases. Here are some average periods of mesothelioma latency statistics regarding this latency period:
- the latency period is shorter or people with a faster metabolism
- the latency period is dependent on the three main groups of patients: short duration and high levels of asbestos, medium duration and high levels of asbestos and long duration and low levels of asbestos.
- if the small fibers would somehow be detected in the persons body before reaching the lungs or lining asbestos diseases could be prevented with the use of specific techniques
- the latency period does not differ depending on the type of mesothelioma, be it peritoneal, pleural, malignant, etc.
Latency Period, Depending on Type of Asbestos
The latency period is influenced by the type of asbestos the patient has been exposed to. Almost all types of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, but a few types cause the disease to appear faster, a maximum of 15 years stated in official records. Unfortunately, none of the types of asbestos cause a form of mesothelioma that can be cured, apart from benign mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is not the only disease caused by asbestos exposure that remains latent for a specific amount of time. In some cases, asbestosis also remains latent, but only for a couple of weeks to a maximum of 3 months. Asbestosis cases discovered that have remained latent for over 2 months were very difficult to treat, because the asbestos fibers caused lots of damage to many important parts of the body.
Would like to know more about the latency period of mesothelioma, and how the small fibers could be detected before they cause cancer? Contact asbestosis and mesothelioma centers and you will receive any kind of information regarding the topic, cost free.