Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
The tissue that lines the lungs as well as other organs can develop mesothelioma. People who develop this type of cancer are usually exposed to asbestos through their work.
Asbestos is a class of minerals that make strong, microscopic fibers. It was used to create automotive and construction products because it is impervious to heat, fire and water.
Exposure to Work
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral was extensively used for its fireproof properties prior to when it was banned. Mesothelioma is a risk for people who have worked with asbestos. The people who are at the highest risk are those who were exposed to large quantities of microscopic asbestos fibers for long periods of time. Mesothelioma is usually not diagnosed until decades after exposure to asbestos. For this reason, the majority of mesothelioma cases can be traced to exposure to asbestos in the workplace.
Asbestos fibers can be breathed in and swallowed if disturbed. These fibers can reach the thin tissue layer that surrounds organs. This layer, called the mesothelium can grow into cancerous tumors of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a tumor that develops around the lungs and is the most frequent mesothelioma type. Other types of mesothelioma include peritoneal mesothelioma, forming in the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma, developing around the heart.
Mesothelioma can also develop in other areas of the body, if asbestos is inhaled or consumed less frequently. It can also develop in the testicles' linings and the abdominal cavity. It's difficult to determine if the mesothelioma resulted from occupational exposure, or another cause.
Certain mesothelioma patients have developed the disease through secondhand contact. This is often called take-home exposure, and occurs when asbestos is brought home on workers' clothing or other equipment. In these instances workers' clothes are often washed and cleaned by their families, resulting in a higher risk of exposure than was expected. Certain studies have shown that the use of an asbestos-like material known as erionite increases the risk of mesothelioma developing in those who live near erionite deposits.
Other factors that may increase the risk of mesothelioma are certain medical treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can harm the mesothelium and cause mesothelioma but they do not account for a large proportion of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
Other factors can increase the mesothelioma risk. These include genetics, a history of radiation therapy for the chest and secondhand exposure. A family history of mesothelioma can also increase the risk of contracting the disease. But asbestos is still the main cause of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a common occurrence among people who work with asbestos. This is especially applicable to those working in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, asbestos mining, and other related industries. People who work with asbestos often inhale tiny asbestos fibers when they tear or damage the material. The fibers then end up in the lining of the lungs, the heart and stomach. The asbestos fibers may remain in the body and cause malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Inhaling and swallowing these fibers could result in peritoneal, pleural or other mesothelioma types. The symptoms can appear anywhere between 30 to 50 years after exposure. In order to diagnose mesothelioma doctors must first rule out other conditions that may be causing the patient's symptoms.
Exposure to asbestos has been proven to cause pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of cancer. After Lake Forest asbestos lawsuit to asbestos, the risk of developing this type of mesothelioma may decrease. The risk of developing peritoneal cancer continues to increase even after asbestos exposure has ended.
Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring metamorphic minerals that are fibrous. It is resistant to heat and fire and extremely durable, which made it a sought-after material for industrial, commercial and military applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was heavily utilized from the close 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 asbestos, or inhale it, were the main group who developed mesothelioma. Some mesothelioma patients have been diagnosed even though they have no history of asbestos exposure. They were exposed by other ways. Women whose husbands worked with asbestos would bring home asbestos fibers from their skin or clothing. The asbestos contamination that was present in the polio vaccination in the 1950s and 1960s has been proven to increase the risk of mesothelioma developing for those who received it.
Environmental Exposure
While asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma, there are several other factors that could contribute to the development of. This could include age, gender or genetics. People with a predisposition to mesothelioma or other health problems are at a higher risk than people who don't have.
The majority of mesothelioma cases result from asbestos exposure in the workplace. The greatest risk is for those who have been exposed to asbestos over an extended period of time, such as mine or shipyard workers. Many mesothelioma patients did not directly work with asbestos. The risk of exposure to asbestos can be exacerbated when someone lives with someone who was exposed to asbestos and breathed asbestos-based fibers. This kind of exposure is usually in the spouses of asbestos workers.
Mesothelioma symptoms typically develop over time and can differ based on the type of mesothelioma that a person has. It is crucial for everyone to be aware of the risks and consult a physician when they experience any unusual or concerning symptoms.
Asbestos exposure can cause three types of mesothelioma, namely pleural, abdominal and pericardial. The lung is affected by pleural mesothelioma and organs in the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal and pericardial. The most common mesothelioma is pleural, and usually occurs in the lungs. However, peritoneal and pericardial cancers can also develop in the abdominal cavity.
Researchers have discovered that other substances could also cause mesothelioma. These include erionite which is an asbestos-like mineral, and radiation therapy. A virus called SV40, and certain types talcum powder could cause mesothelioma too.
The study of the causes of mesothelioma help doctors make diagnoses faster and accurately. Patients suffering from mesothelioma can get treatment earlier and improve their outcome. Knowing the other mesothelioma risk factors is crucial to prevent mesothelioma from occurring in the future. For instance, the use of talcum powder could result in more women developing peritoneal mesothelioma. We can cut down on the number diagnosed with cancer by educating the general public about mesothelioma. This is crucial because mesothelioma can have symptoms that are delayed up to 50 years.
Genetics
If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma you must consult a doctor. Early treatment provides patients with the best prognosis. The research continues to uncover other risk factors, such as talcum and SV40. Understanding these risks and avoiding them will help prevent the development of more mesothelioma cases.
Asbestos is a group of fibrous minerals that were utilized extensively throughout the 20th century for various commercial, industrial and military applications. Its durability and fire-resistant properties was a major draw for manufacturers. However asbestos' dangers became evident and were documented by researchers, resulting in its phase out. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at risk of developing mesothelioma. These people include miner factory workers, miner's workers and asbestos insulation installers. They also include railroad workers, shipbuilders, automakers, and railroad workers.
Inhaling asbestos fibers are deposited in the lung's lining (the pleura) and are inflamed and then develop into tumors. The symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to show up, but they are usually advanced by the time they show up. The symptoms can include chest pain, heavy breathing or difficulty breathing. Fluid accumulation in the lungs can be an indication.
Mesothelioma results from cancerous cell mutations. Scientists believe that asbestos exposure is a major factor however, they also believe that genes play a role. Researchers have discovered a gene named BAP 1, located on the short arm chromosome 3, which causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene after investigating mesothelioma epidemics in two U.S. family with Swiss ancestry. Every member of the family who was diagnosed with mesothelioma was affected by this mutation.
Genetics is just one component of the mesothelioma puzzle however, it's an essential one. A small proportion of those who suffer from asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma, which suggests that a person's genes may also be at play. The genes that suppress tumors appear to be mutated in most mesothelioma victims. As research continues the genes will be examined and understood more completely to prevent more mesothelioma cases from occurring. It is likely that people who are predisposed genetically to mesothelioma may also need to be more vigilant regarding exposure to asbestos and will require regular screening for symptoms.