Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the tissues that line the lungs, chest wall, abdomen and other organs. Patients who develop this cancer have usually been exposed to asbestos during their work.
Asbestos is one of the minerals that create strong microscopic fibers. It was used in automotive and construction products because it resists heat, water and fire.
Exposure to Work
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally was widely used due to its fireproof properties prior to when it was banned. Workers who handled asbestos, whether they mined it or handled it in factories are at risk of developing mesothelioma. The people who are at the highest risk are those who were exposed to large quantities of asbestos fibers that were microscopic for long durations of time. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't show until years after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, the majority of mesothelioma cases can be traced to occupational asbestos exposure.
When asbestos is disturbed, its tiny fibers are released into the air and can be inhaled or swallowed. These fibers may reach the thin layer of tissue that covers organs. This layer, dubbed the mesothelium can grow into mesothelioma cancerous tumors. Pleural mesothelioma forms around the lung and is the most frequent form of mesothelioma. Other mesothelioma types include mesothelioma that develops in the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma, growing around the heart.
Mesothelioma can also occur in other areas of the body if asbestos is inhaled or consumed with smaller amounts. It can also develop in the testicular linings as well as the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma usually occurs as a result of mesothelium damage which is why it's difficult to determine if it was caused by occupational exposure or a different cause.
Some people with mesothelioma developed the disease from secondhand contact. This is sometimes referred to as take-home exposure and it happens when asbestos is brought home on workers' clothing or equipment. In these situations, families often clean and wash the clothes of workers which can lead to greater risk of exposure than would normally be expected. Certain studies have shown that the use of an asbestos-like material, erionite, increases the risk of mesothelioma developing in those living near erionite deposits.
Chemotherapy and radiation are both treatments that increase your chance of developing mesothelioma. These treatments can cause damage to the mesothelium and lead to mesothelioma, however they aren't responsible for a significant number of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
A number of other factors can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. These include genetics, a history of radiation therapy for the chest and secondhand exposure. A family history of the disease may increase the risk for an individual. Asbestos is the primary reason for mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is most common in people who work with asbestos. This is particularly applicable to those working in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, asbestos mining, and other related industries. Workers who work with asbestos often breathe in tiny asbestos fibers when they break or alter the material. The fibers can be found within the lining of the lungs, stomach and the heart. The asbestos fibers may remain in the body and cause malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Inhaling or swallowing these contaminated fibers could lead to mesothelioma of the pleura, peritoneal mes and other forms of the disease. The symptoms can take between 30 to 50 years before they appear. To determine if mesothelioma is a cancer, doctors must first rule out any other condition that may be causing the patient's symptoms.
The exposure to asbestos is believed to cause pleural mesothelioma the most frequent type of this cancer. It is believed that the risk for mesothelioma that is this type decreases after a person's asbestos exposure is over. However, the risk of mesothelioma of the peritoneal region continues to increase even after exposure to asbestos has been ended.
Asbestos is a class of six naturally occurring fibrous metamorphic minerals. It is resistant to fire and heat and highly durable, which made it a popular choice for commercial, industrial and military applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was extensively used between the end of World War II and the mid-1970s. It was frequently used in ships, insulation and buildings, as well as automobile components.
Workers who handled or inhale asbestos were the main group who developed mesothelioma. Some people with mesothelioma were diagnosed despite having no occupational history of asbestos exposure. These people were exposed to asbestos by other means. Women who had husbands working with asbestos would bring home asbestos fibers from their clothing or skin. Westminster asbestos attorney of vaccine against polio in the 1950s and 60s has been proven to increase the risk of mesothelioma developing for those who received it.
Environmental Exposure
While asbestos is the primary mesothelioma cause but there are a variety of other factors that can also play a role. This could include gender, age or genetics. People with a genetic predisposition to mesothelioma or any other health problems are at greater risk than those who do not have.
Exposure to asbestos in the workplace accounts for the majority of mesothelioma cases. Workers who have long-term, constant exposure to asbestos, such as shipyard workers or miners workers, are at highest risk. Many mesothelioma patients did not directly interact with asbestos. Second-hand exposure can occur when someone lives with someone who been exposed to asbestos and breathes in asbestos fibers. This type of exposure is the most frequent for spouses of workers who handled asbestos.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can be seen as time passes, and they can vary depending on what kind of mesothelioma a person has. Everyone should be aware of the risks they face and consult their doctor if any symptoms are unusual or alarming.
Asbestos exposure can cause three kinds of mesothelioma: pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. Pleural mesothelioma is a lung cancer Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affect in the abdomen, and mesothelioma pericardial is found around the heart. The majority of mesothelioma develops in the lungs. However, peritoneal mesothelioma may be found in the abdominal cavity and mesothelioma that is pericardial develops in the lining surrounding the heart.
Researchers have discovered that other substances can cause mesothelioma as well. This includes erionite, which is an asbestos-like mineral and radiation therapy. Additionally, a virus called SV40 and certain varieties of talcum powder can also cause mesothelioma.
The study of the causes of mesothelioma could help doctors identify the cause more precisely and quickly. Patients with mesothelioma are able to receive treatment sooner and improve their outcomes. Knowing about other mesothelioma-related risks is crucial to prevent mesothelioma from occurring in the future. For instance, the use of talcum powder could cause more women to develop mesothelioma peritoneal. We can decrease the number of women diagnosed with cancer by educating people about mesothelioma. This is important since mesothelioma can have symptoms that can be delayed for up to 50 years.
Genetics
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma you should seek out a specialist. Early treatment can give patients the best chance of survival. The research continues to uncover other risk factors, like talcum and SV40. Knowing the dangers and how to avoid them can help prevent the development of more mesothelioma cases.
Asbestos is an asbestos group of mineral fibers with fibrous structure which was extensively used throughout the 20th century for commercial, industrial and even military applications. Its durability and fire resistance was a major draw for manufacturers. However asbestos' dangers became evident and were documented by researchers, resulting in its removal. Mesothelioma occurs most often in those who were exposed to asbestos during their work. This includes miners factory workers asbestos insulation manufacturers, railroad workers, installers ship builders, auto manufacturers and others who handled or wore clothing contaminated with asbestos.
Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lung's lining (the pleura) and are irritated and eventually develop tumors. The signs typically take a long time to manifest however, when they do mesothelioma is already in advanced. It can be a sign of chest pain, heaviness or difficulty breathing. The accumulation of fluid in the lungs can also be a sign.
Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous cell mutations. Researchers believe that exposure to asbestos is the main cause, but they believe that genes play a part. Researchers found a gene called BAP 1, located on the short arm of chromosome 3, that causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene through investigating mesothelioma epidemics in two U.S. families with Swiss ancestry. Each person in the family who was diagnosed with mesothelioma carried this mutated gene.
Genetics is just one part of the mesothelioma equation however it's a crucial one. There is a very small proportion of asbestos-related patients develop mesothelioma. This suggests that genes also play a role. The genes that suppress tumors appear to be mutated in most mesothelioma victims. As the research advances these genes will be investigated and better understood to help prevent mesothelioma. It is also likely that those who are genetically predisposed will need to be more careful about exposure to asbestos and will require regular screening for mesothelioma-related symptoms.