Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
The tissue that lines the lungs and other organs can develop mesothelioma. Patients who develop this cancer have usually been exposed to asbestos as a result of their work.
Asbestos is a class of minerals that create strong microscopically-sized fibers. It was used in the manufacture of automobile and construction materials as it is invulnerable to fire, heat and water.
Workplace Exposure
Asbestos is a natural mineral that was extensively used for its fireproof properties before it was banned in the 1970s. Mesothelioma poses a risk to those who worked with asbestos. The highest risk is those who have been exposed to large amounts of asbestos' microscopic fibers over a prolonged period of time. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't appear until years after exposure to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma is related to asbestos exposure in the workplace.
Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and swallowed if disturbed. The fibers could get into the thin layer of tissue that covers organs. This layer, called the mesothelium, can develop cancerous tumors of mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural that develops around the lung. Other mesothelioma types are peritoneal and pericardial. They develop in the abdomen.
It can also occur in other areas of your body when you inhale or ingest asbestos in smaller quantities. It can develop in the testicular linings as well as the abdominal cavity. It's not easy to determine whether the mesothelioma resulted from occupational exposure or some other cause.
Some people with mesothelioma developed the disease through contact with secondhand sources. This is sometimes called take-home exposure. It happens when asbestos is brought home on workers' clothing or equipment. In these instances workers' clothes are often washed and cleaned by their families, resulting in a higher exposure than anticipated. Certain studies have shown that the use of a similar asbestos, erionite, increases the risk of mesothelioma for those who live near erionite deposits.
The use of chemotherapy and radiation is also medical treatments that can increase the risk 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, radiation therapy history to the chest, and secondhand exposure are all factors that can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. A family history of mesothelioma can also increase the chance of contracting the disease. But asbestos is still the main mesothelioma cause.
Mesothelioma is most common in asbestos-related workers. This is especially true for those who work in manufacturing, construction, shipbuilding, asbestos mining and other related industries. When they break or disturb asbestos, those who work with it often breathe tiny asbestos fibers. The fibers then end up within the lining of the lungs, heart and stomach. The asbestos fibers can stay in the body and cause malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Inhaling and swallowing these fibers could cause peritoneal, pleural, or other mesothelioma types. The symptoms can appear anywhere between 30 to 50 years after exposure. To determine if mesothelioma is a disease, the doctor must first rule out any other medical conditions that could cause symptoms.
Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common form of this cancer. It is believed that the risk for mesothelioma in this form decreases when exposure to asbestos ends. However, the risk of peritoneal mesothelioma continues to rise even after the asbestos exposure has ended.
Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring metamorphic fibrous minerals. Southfield asbestos lawyer is resistant to heat and fire, and is extremely durable, which made it a popular choice for commercial, industrial and military applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was heavily used from the end of World War II through to the mid 1970s. It was often found in buildings, ships, automobile parts and insulation.
Mesothelioma is the most frequent cancer among asbestos workers who handled or inhaled asbestos. Certain mesothelioma patients have been diagnosed even though they have no occupational history of asbestos exposure. These people were exposed through other means. For instance, many women with husbands who worked with asbestos brought home asbestos fibers on their clothes and skin. People who received the polio vaccine during the 1950s and 1960s have been shown to be at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma too, due to the contamination of the polio vaccine with asbestos.
Environmental Exposure
While asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma but there are a variety of other factors that may play a role. These could be related to a person's age, gender, or genetics. People with a 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 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. Second-hand exposure can occur when someone lives with someone who worked with asbestos and breathes asbestos-containing air. This kind of exposure is most commonly in spouses of asbestos workers.
Mesothelioma-related symptoms usually develop over time and can differ based on the type of mesothelioma a patient has. It is important for everyone to be aware of their risks and speak to a doctor when they experience any unusual or alarming symptoms.
Asbestos exposure can trigger three kinds of mesothelioma: pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. The lungs are affected by mesothelioma pleural, and organs in the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal as well as the pericardial. Most mesothelioma forms in the lungs. However, peritoneal mesothelioma can form in the abdominal cavity. pericardial mesothelioma develops in the lining surrounding the heart.
Researchers have found that other substances can cause mesothelioma too. Radiation therapy and erionite (a mineral that appears similar to asbestos) are among the chemicals that can cause mesothelioma. In addition, a virus known as SV40 and certain types of talcum powder may cause mesothelioma.
Research into the causes of mesothelioma helps doctors make diagnoses more quickly and accurately. This allows patients with mesothelioma to receive treatment earlier and better their outcomes. It is also crucial to understanding other mesothelioma risk factors so that we can prevent more mesothelioma cases in the near future. The use of talcum could result in more women developing peritoneal cancer. By educating people about mesothelioma, we can decrease the number of people who are diagnosed with the cancer. This is particularly important because mesothelioma signs are usually delayed for up to 50 years.
Genetics
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should consult a physician. Early treatment provides the best chance for a positive outcome. Research continues to uncover additional risk factors, such as talcum and SV40. Knowing these risks and avoiding them can help prevent the development of more mesothelioma cases.
Asbestos is a group of mineral fibers with fibrous structure that was extensively utilized throughout the 20th century in commercial, industrial and even military applications. Its strength and fire resistance made it popular with manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos were discovered and documented by researchers, resulting in its elimination. The people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the highest risk for mesothelioma. These people include miner factory workers, asbestos insulation installers. They also include railroad workers, shipbuilders automakers, railroad workers.
The asbestos fibers that are inhaled get buried in the lining (pleura) of the lung, and are irritations. They eventually develop cancers. Symptoms typically take years to show up but by the time they show mesothelioma is already in advanced. It can be a sign of chest pain, heaviness, or difficulty breathing. Fluid buildup in the lungs is also a symptom.
Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous cell mutations. Researchers believe that exposure to asbestos is a major factor, but they believe that genes play an important role. Researchers have discovered a gene known as BAP 1 on the short arm of chromosome Three that causes mesothelioma after studying mesothelioma epidemics in two U.S. families with Swiss origins. The gene mutation was found in every member of the family suffering from mesothelioma.
Genetics is only one component of the mesothelioma puzzle, but it is a significant one. Only a small number of asbestos-related patients develop mesothelioma. This suggests that genes play in a part. The majority of patients with mesothelioma have mutations in their tumor suppressing genes. As research continues, these genes will be studied and understood more thoroughly to stop more mesothelioma cases from occurring. It is possible that those who are predisposed genetically to mesothelioma may also need to be more cautious about asbestos exposure, and will require regular screening to detect symptoms.