Get in Touch
Have questions? Call or chat with our Patient Advocates for answers.
Mesothelioma in Young Adults & Children
Table Of Contents
Mesothelioma is extremely rare in children and young adults because the cancer typically develops decades after exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma cases in young people account for less than 5% of all diagnoses.
Written by Karen Selby, RN | Medically Reviewed By Dr. Andrea Wolf | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: June 5, 2024
"The Patient Advocates are absolutely amazing and helpful! I am so very pleased with the information and the emotional support that I have received from everyone...." see more
Pamela K.
Mesothelioma Patient
"I found out about The Mesothelioma Center while researching peritoneal mesothelioma days after being diagnosed with the malignant cancer. While a lot of the 'Me...." see more
Karen F.
Mesothelioma Patient
"I reached out and talked to Aaron a couple of weeks before my diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. He was very helpful and gave me a lot of information at that ...." see more
Stan B.
Mesothelioma Patient
"My brother was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. I began researching it online. The information I received from The Mesothelioma Center is all-inclusive. No...." see more
Cindy W.
Sister of a Mesothelioma Patient
"My Dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma, and thankfully The Mesothelioma Center was the first place I called. Snehal Smart answered the phone immediately and was...." see more
Patrick K.
Son of a Mesothelioma Patient
Written by Karen Selby, RN | Medically Reviewed By Dr. Andrea Wolf | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: June 5, 2024
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. There are only a few hundred cases 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.
Find a Top Mesothelioma Doctor
Gain access to top mesothelioma doctors and get help scheduling appointments.
Connect NowAsbestos Exposure in Childhood
Asbestos exposure generally endangers adults working in certain jobs or the military. However, children may encounter asbestos exposure in other ways, as well.
Children’s Products Containing Asbestos
Asbestos-contaminated talc has found its way into many products, including crayons, toys and cosmetics sold to parents and children.
In 2017, Claire’s and Justice recalled several cosmetic products due to 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.
Before the 1980s, several U.S. talcum powder and baby powder brands contained traces of asbestos. In some countries, other products are still made with asbestos talc.
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, such as improper maintenance or renovation work, can release toxic asbestos dust into the air.
Common Asbestos-Containing 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
When someone is exposed to asbestos in their workplace and brings asbestos dust home, it can cause secondhand asbestos exposure among their family members.
Today, regulations require employers to provide decontamination facilities to employees who work with asbestos. Before such regulations began to be passed in the 1970s, however, secondary asbestos exposure was a major problem for many families.
Environmental Exposure
Children may be exposed to asbestos if they live in an area where asbestos is naturally found in sand or soil.
Some communities have also been directly contaminated by asbestos companies, leading to instances where children played on soil from asbestos mine tailings (such as in Libby, Montana) or piles of asbestos factory waste (such as in Ambler, Pennsylvania).
Get a Free Mesothelioma Guide
Learn about your diagnosis, top doctors and how to pay for treatment.
Get Your Free GuideCauses Not Linked to Asbestos Exposure
Because cases of mesothelioma in children and young adults usually do not trace back to asbestos exposure, researchers have proposed other possible causes.
Radiation Exposure
Radiation exposure is a minor risk factor for mesothelioma, and there have been a couple recorded instances of pediatric mesothelioma linked to previously 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 determined that a BAP1 gene mutation can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer after exposure to asbestiform mineral fibers.
From what I have seen, there is limited data on childhood mesothelioma. There have been fewer than 300 cases ever reported, which limits our ability to have many facts. In my experience here at The Mesothelioma Center, I have only assisted one patient under the age of 18. In this particular case, there was no known exposure to asbestos, and the cause was considered unknown.
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 suggests mesothelioma may spread more quickly in pediatric cases, causing symptoms to develop sooner than in adult cases. In either case, the early signs of mesothelioma can easily be mistaken for symptoms of more common diseases.
A 2021 clinical case study of a 14-year-old boy who developed peritoneal mesothelioma discussed how radiology plays a crucial role when there are few reference cases in the pediatric population.
Treatment of Mesothelioma in Young People
Young patients receive the same types of mesothelioma treatments as older patients. The most common treatment is chemotherapy with cisplatin and pemetrexed, and the dosing schedule can be adjusted for the weight and size of children.
Comparison of Younger and Older Mesothelioma Patients
| Patients under age 40 | Patients older than age 40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Incidence | 2% of study population | 98% of study population |
| Patient Gender | 51% male, 49% female | 78% male, 22% female |
| Type of Mesothelioma | 47% pleural, 48% peritoneal | 90% pleural, 9% peritoneal |
| Median Survival | 34 months | 8 months |
| Five-Year Survival Rate | 38% | 3% |
Source:
Oncotarget, 2015
Younger patients are also more likely to be eligible for tumor-removing surgery, which gives them the best chance of long-term survival.
In 2015, researchers from the National Institutes of Health studied 12,345 mesothelioma patients and discovered some differences among the small fraction of patients under 40.
- Overall, men are three times more likely to develop mesothelioma than women, and 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 forms of cancer, mesothelioma can affect anyone — even if they do not seem to have any risk factors.
Austin Lacy
Austin was a football star at his high school in Pasadena, California. For nearly a year, doctors couldn’t pinpoint the cause of his suddenly failing health. He was eventually diagnosed with mesothelioma in May 2011 and died 10 days before his graduation ceremony.
Jayda Kelsall
Jayda was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at 31, after a year and a half of seeing gynecologists who could not find any explanation for her symptoms other than “period pain.” Fortunately, she was still eligible for specialized treatment with surgery and chemotherapy.
Kevin Morrison
Kevin was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at 21, prompting the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and New England Patriots to donate tickets to help raise funds for the former high school athlete’s treatment. He died six months after being diagnosed.
Randy Sloan
Randy was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma at 26 and passed away less than a year later. He chose to receive specialized hospice care rather than undergo surgery and chemotherapy, so he could maximize his quality of life during his remaining time.
The Nation's Top Mesothelioma Guide
Get Compensation You Deserve
Immunotherapy & Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
