Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

It may seem like a large leap to link skin tumors to a deadly cancer such as mesothelioma that starts in the lining around the body’s internal organs, but scientists at the University of Hawaii have done just that.  According to their recently published research, specific types of skin spots may indeed be indicative of an increased risk of future mesothelioma diagnosis.  How is this possible?

Researchers discovered that these certain types of skin tumors are unique to people who have a mutation of the BAP1 gene.  Research has shown that those with such genetic mutations are much more likely to develop mesothelioma when exposed to asbestos.  So, in essence, these moles are skin-level visual identifiers for potential cancer patients – people who should be watched more closely than other for symptoms of mesothelioma.

The research was published in the August 30 edition of the Journal of Translational Medicine.  While interesting, the reported finding may not hold much sway in practical diagnosis.  While the moles (and concurrent genetic mutation) are linked with sufferers of mesothelioma, not all patients with these moles will develop mesothelioma.  There’s no possible way that every person with these moles could ever be screened for the deadly cancer and while the moles would serve as a visual identifier, more accepted methods of testing are still more accepted and more reliable. 

However, as these moles are possibly the first physical manifestation of a defective genetic makeup, they could be used to spot patients at risk.  Combined with other factors, such as occupational history, where a patient lives, the age of their home, and symptomatic history, this mutation could be used to spur further testing sooner. 

As with many other diseases, the sooner mesothelioma is discovered, the better.  However, because the disease has such a long latency period and symptoms are more often misdiagnosed, mesothelioma patients are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed until their cancer progresses into its later stages. 

The BAP1 gene is generally regarded as a tumor suppressor.  In healthy patients this gene works hard to ensure that cancers aren’t allowed to grow within the body.  However, persons who have mutated BAP1 genes don’t have that protection.  Their damaged genes allow for various cancers to grow within the body.  BAP1 has most closely been associated with mesothelioma but it has also been linked to various other cancers as well.