Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the tissue that lines the lungs, chest wall, abdomen, and other organs. People who contract this disease typically worked in jobs that exposed them to
asbestos litigation.
Asbestos is a class of minerals that make strong microscopically-sized fibers. It was utilized in construction and automotive products because it resists heat, fire, and water.
Occupational Exposure
Asbestos is a natural mineral that was extensively used for its fireproof properties before it was banned in the 1970s. The people who worked with
asbestos law regardless of whether they mined it or handled it in factories are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Those who have the highest risk are those who were exposed to large amounts of microscopic asbestos fibers for extended durations of time. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't appear until decades after exposure to asbestos. For this reason, the majority of mesothelioma cases are linked to occupational asbestos exposure.
When
asbestos claim is disturbed, its tiny fibers can become airborne and can be breathed in or swallowed. These fibers can get into the thin layer of tissue that surrounds organs. This layer, called the mesothelium, can develop cancerous tumors of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a tumor that develops around the lungs and is the most frequent form of mesothelioma. Other mesothelioma types are peritoneal and pericardial. These form in the abdomen.
Mesothelioma can also occur in other parts of the body when asbestos is inhaled or ingested with smaller amounts. It can form in the linings of the testicles and abdominal cavity. It's difficult to determine whether the mesothelioma resulted from exposure to occupational radiation, or a different cause.
Certain mesothelioma patients have developed the disease through contact with asbestos from the outside. This is sometimes known as take-home exposure. It happens when asbestos is brought home on workers' clothing or equipment. In these situations workers' clothes are typically cleaned and washed by families, which results in a higher risk of exposure than expected. Certain studies have revealed that the use of a similar asbestos known as erionite increases the risk of mesothelioma for those who live near erionite deposits.
Chemotherapy and radiation are both treatments that increase your chance of developing mesothelioma. These treatments can damage mesothelium and cause mesothelioma. However they do not cause a significant number of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
Other factors can increase the risk of mesothelioma. Genetics, history of radiation therapy to the chest, and exposure to radiation from secondhand sources are all factors that can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. A mesothelioma family history may also increase the risk of contracting the disease. However, asbestos remains the main mesothelioma cause.
People who work directly with asbestos are at chance of developing mesothelioma. This is especially relevant for those working in manufacturing, construction, shipbuilding, asbestos mining, and other related industries. People who work with asbestos frequently inhale tiny asbestos fibers when they tear or damage the substance. The asbestos (
This Web site) fibers can end up in the linings of the stomach, lungs and heart. The asbestos could remain in the body for a long time and cause malignant mesothelioma cancers to develop.
Inhaling or swallowing these contaminated fibers could lead to mesothelioma pleural, peritoneal mesot and other types of the disease. The symptoms can develop anywhere between 30 to 50 years after exposure. To diagnose mesothelioma doctors must first rule out other conditions that may be causing the patient's symptoms.
Exposure to asbestos is known to cause pleural mesothelioma the most common type of cancer. It is believed that the risk for this form of mesothelioma diminishes 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 ended.
Asbestos is one of six naturally occurring fibrous metamorphic minerals. It is extremely robust and is resistant to fire and heat making it a preferred choice for military, industrial and commercial applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was widely employed from the time of World War II through to the mid 1970s. It was most commonly found in buildings, ships, automobile parts and insulation.
Workers who used to handle or inhale asbestos were the primary group that diagnosed mesothelioma. However, there are some who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and have no previous occupational exposure to asbestos. They were exposed to asbestos through other ways. For instance, a lot of women who had husbands who worked with asbestos brought home asbestos fibers that landed on their clothing and skin. People who received the polio vaccine during the 1950s and 1960s have been found to be at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma because of the contamination of the vaccine for polio with asbestos.
Environmental Exposure
While asbestos is the main mesothelioma cause however, there are other factors that may be involved. This could include gender, age or genetics. People with a predisposition to mesothelioma, or other health problems are at greater risk than those who do not have.
Exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the reason for the majority of mesothelioma cases. Workers with long-term, consistent exposure to asbestos, like shipyard or miners workers, are at most risk. However, many people with mesothelioma did not work directly with asbestos. The risk of exposure to asbestos can be exacerbated when someone lives with a person who worked with asbestos and breathe in asbestos fibers. This type of exposure is the most frequent among spouses of those who worked with asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms typically occur over time and differ based on the type of mesothelioma a person has. Everyone should be aware of the dangers they are exposed to and speak with your doctor if they notice any symptoms that are alarming or unusual.
Asbestos exposure can cause three types of mesothelioma namely the pericardial, peritoneal and pleural. The lungs are affected by pleural mesothelioma while organs in the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal and pericardial. Most mesothelioma forms in the lungs. However, peritoneal mesothelioma could be found in the abdominal cavity. pericardial mesothelioma develops in the lining surrounding the heart.
Researchers have discovered that other substances could cause mesothelioma as well. These include erionite which is a mineral similar to asbestos as well as radiation therapy. A virus called SV40 and certain kinds of talcum powder may cause mesothelioma.
Research into the causes of mesothelioma helps doctors to diagnose mesothelioma more quickly and precisely. Patients suffering from mesothelioma can receive treatment sooner and improve their outcome. It is also crucial to know the mesothelioma risks of other factors to help to prevent mesothelioma cases from occurring in the future. For instance, the use of talcum powder can cause more women to develop mesothelioma peritoneal. Through educating the public about mesothelioma, we can reduce the number of patients diagnosed with the disease. This is especially important since mesothelioma signs are usually delayed for as long as 50 years.
Genetics
If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma you must see a specialist. Early treatment is the best chance of survival. While asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma however, research continues to uncover other risk factors like talcum powder and SV40. Understanding these risks and avoiding them can help prevent the development of more mesothelioma cases.
Asbestos is one of the fibrous minerals which were used extensively throughout the 20th century in various commercial, industrial and military applications. Its strength and resistance to fire led to it being a favorite among manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos became apparent and were well-documented by scientists, leading to its elimination. People who have been exposed to asbestos at work are at the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes miners, factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and railroad workers, installers, auto makers, ship builders and others who worked with or wore clothes which was contaminated by asbestos.
Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lining of the lungs (the pleura) which is where they get irritated and eventually develop tumors. The symptoms of mesothelioma may take a long time to show up, however they are typically advanced by the time that they begin to manifest. Symptoms can include chest pain, heavy breathing or difficulty breathing. Fluid buildup in the lungs is also an indication.
Mesothelioma results from cancerous cell mutations. They are caused by asbestos exposure, however many scientists believe a person's genes are also a major factor. Researchers have discovered a gene known as BAP 1 on the short arm of chromosome Three which causes mesothelioma investigating mesothelioma-related epidemics in two U.S. families with Swiss ancestry. The mutation was discovered in every member of the family with mesothelioma.
Genetics is only one aspect of the mesothelioma equation however it's a crucial one. Only a small percentage of those who suffer from asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma, which suggests that the person's genes may also be at play. Tumor suppressing genes seem to be mutated in most mesothelioma victims. As research advances these genes will be examined and better understood to stop mesothelioma from developing. It is also possible that those who have a genetic predisposition need to be more careful about asbestos exposure and will require regular screening for mesothelioma-related symptoms.
