Mauricio Fernández, former mayor of San Pedro Garza García, died from mesothelioma, a cancer affecting tissues lining organs like the lungs, heart, and testicles. This disease, known for its rapid progression and lack of cure, is often linked to asbestos exposure. His death, just seven days after requesting leave, has shocked Mexico.
Mauricio Fernández, mayor of San Pedro Garza García in Nuevo León, requested leave seven days ago and died from mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer in his lungs. The Mayo Clinic describes mesothelioma as starting with cell proliferation in the mesothelium, the thin tissue layer covering internal organs. The pleural type, like Fernández's, affects lung-surrounding tissue, but it can also occur in the abdomen, heart, or testicles.
The disease is fatal due to the rapid, irregular growth of malignant cells, forming tumors that invade healthy tissues and spread. There is no cure, but symptoms vary by location: for lungs, they include chest pain, painful coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, and nausea; for the heart, breathing issues and chest pain; for testicles, swelling or tumors.
The main risk factor is asbestos exposure, a mineral used in insulators, brakes, and tiles, with a latency period of 15 to 40 years or more. Other risks involve living with exposed workers, family history, or prior chest radiotherapy. High-risk occupations include miners, electricians, plumbers, demolition workers, brake mechanics, and certain military personnel.
Prevention measures include using protective gear like masks and goggles, changing work clothes, and washing with soap upon returning home. Diagnosis requires physical exams, X-rays, CT scans, and biopsies. Possible treatments are surgery to remove damaged tissue, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, though they do not guarantee cancer elimination.
