cause of mesothelioma

The only known cause for mesothelioma in the United States is a history of exposure to asbestos. When the asbestos fibers are breathed in, they travel into the nooks and crannies of the pleura where they irritate and can cause physical damage to the mesothelial cells that may result in mesothelioma cancer. The fibers can also cause damage that can result in lung cancer and asbestosis. If swallowed, the fibers can reach the abdominal cavity where they can cause peritoneal mesothelioma