Mesothelioma in Young Adults & Children

What Causes Mesothelioma in Children and Young Adults?

There is no clear cause for mesothelioma in young people. The disease is spontaneous, though possible factors include toxic exposure or genetic disorders.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer most common in people over 65. Only a few hundred cases have been reported in young adults and children worldwide.

Possible Causes of Mesothelioma in Young Adults and Children

• Exposure to asbestos in products, the environment or through a family member
• Radiation exposure, including radiation therapy for other cancers
• In utero exposure to the antibiotic isoniazid
• Genetic predisposition to mesothelioma

The primary cause of this cancer in adults is occupational asbestos exposure. Most young people diagnosed with mesothelioma have no history of asbestos exposure. Asbestos-related illnesses take several decades to develop after exposure.

Researchers have looked for other potential causes in children and young adults. Mesothelioma in youth is so rare that it is challenging to study.

A study published in Oncotarget in June 2015 reviewed 12,345 mesothelioma patients. Only 2% of the patients were under 40 when they were first diagnosed.

Asbestos Exposure in Childhood

Asbestos exposure generally endangers adults working in certain jobs or the military. Children encounter asbestos exposure in other ways.

Children’s Products Containing Asbestos

Asbestos-contaminated talc has found its way into many products for children. Examples include crayons, clay, toys and children’s cosmetics. Talcum powder and baby powder brands have contained asbestos as well.

In 2017, Claire’s and Justice recalled several children’s makeup kits over asbestos contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed the test results in 2019.

The Environmental Working Group Action Fund in 2015 performed independent tests. They found asbestos in crayons and toy crime lab kits made in China.

Asbestos in Homes and Schools

In the U.S., old asbestos construction materials are in many buildings built before the 1980s. Millions of homes and half of America’s schools contain asbestos products from the 1950s and 1960s.

Any activity that disturbs deteriorating asbestos products can release toxic asbestos dust into the air. Examples include improper maintenance and renovation work.

Common Asbestos Materials in Homes and Schools

• Boiler insulation
• Ceiling tiles
• Duct wrap for HVAC systems
• Pipe insulation
• Vinyl flooring (including backing and glue)
• Wallboard

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos exposure at work can lead to secondhand exposure at home. If workers bring asbestos dust home, it can harm their families.

Today, laws require employers to offer decontamination facilities for asbestos workers. Before the 1970s, many families were at risk from secondary asbestos exposure.

Environmental Exposure

Children may be exposed to asbestos in areas where it is found in the water, air or soil.

Some communities have been contaminated by asbestos companies. In Libby, Montana, children played on soil from asbestos mine tailings. In Ambler, Pennsylvania, they played on piles of asbestos factory waste.

Causes Not Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Children and young adults with mesothelioma don’t always have a history of asbestos exposure. Researchers have proposed other possible causes.

Radiation Exposure

Radiation exposure is a minor risk factor for mesothelioma. A couple of recorded cases of pediatric mesothelioma are linked to receiving radiation therapy for a disease called Wilms’ tumor.

Isoniazid Exposure

Childhood mesothelioma has been linked to exposure to isoniazid, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis, while in the womb.

Genetics

Children may have a genetic predisposition to mesothelioma if they are born with certain mutations in their DNA.

In 2013, a team led by Dr. Michele Carbone found that a BAP1 gene mutation can increase cancer risk after exposure to asbestiform mineral fibers.

Symptoms in Children

Regardless of a patient’s age, the symptoms of mesothelioma are usually the same, including:

• Breathing problems and chest pain for pleural mesothelioma (which forms around the lungs)
• Digestive problems and abdominal pain for peritoneal mesothelioma (which forms around the abdomen)

Some research shows that mesothelioma spreads faster in children than in adults. This leads to earlier symptoms. However, these early signs can often be confused with more common illnesses. A 2021 case study of a 14-year-old boy with peritoneal mesothelioma showcased the key role of radiology in diagnosing rare cases in children.

Treatment of Mesothelioma in Young People

Young patients get the same mesothelioma treatments as older ones. The most common is chemotherapy with cisplatin and pemetrexed. Doctors adjust the dose based on a child’s weight and size.

Moreover, younger patients are more likely to qualify for tumor-removing surgery. This surgery significantly boosts their chance of long-term survival.

In 2015, researchers from the National Institutes of Health studied 12,345 mesothelioma patients. They discovered some differences among the small fraction of patients under 40.

• Men are three times more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Pleural mesothelioma is much more common than peritoneal mesothelioma.
• But in younger patients there is little difference in the rate of mesothelioma for each gender or the incidence of the two main types of mesothelioma.

Further, younger patients have a longer median survival and a higher five-year survival rate. This is primarily because older patients usually have additional health problems that interfere with their cancer treatment.

Stories of Mesothelioma in Youth

The following stories show that, like all cancers, mesothelioma can affect anyone. It can strike even those without any risk factors.

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