Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the tissues that line the chest wall, lungs abdomen, and other organs. Patients who develop this cancer usually worked on jobs which exposed them to asbestos.
Asbestos is a group of minerals that create strong, microscopic fibers. It was used to make automobile and construction materials because it is impervious to heat, fire and water.
Occupational Exposure
Asbestos is a natural mineral that was extensively used to protect against fire before it was banned in the 1970s. Workers who handled asbestos whether they mined it or worked with it in factories are at risk of mesothelioma. The most at risk are those who were exposed to large quantities of microscopic asbestos fibers for long periods of time. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don’t show until years after exposure to asbestos. This is why 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 breathed in or swallowed. These fibers may be transported to the thin layer of tissue that surrounds organs. This layer is known as mesothelium and it can develop cancerous mesothelioma tumors. Pleural mesothelioma forms around the lungs and is the most common mesothelioma form. Other mesothelioma forms are pericardial and peritoneal. These form in the abdomen.
Mesothelioma can also occur in other parts of the body if asbestos is ingested or inhaled with smaller amounts. It can be found in the testicles’ lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the lining of the abdominal cavity (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is usually the result of an injury to the mesothelium and it’s difficult to determine whether it was caused by exposure to occupational radiation or a different cause.
Some individuals with mesothelioma have developed the disease through contact with asbestos from the outside. This is often called take-home exposure. It occurs when asbestos is found on workers’ clothing or equipment. In these situations, workers’ clothing is frequently cleaned and washed by their families, resulting in a greater exposure than expected. Certain studies have shown that the use of a similar asbestos case called erionite can increase the risk of mesothelioma in those living near erionite deposits.
Other factors that can increase the risk of mesothelioma include certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can harm mesothelium, causing mesothelioma, but they don’t account for a large proportion of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
Many other factors can increase a person’s risk of developing mesothelioma. Genetics, radiation therapy history to the chest, and exposure to secondhand radiation are all factors that can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. A family history of the disease can increase the risk for an individual. However, asbestos remains the main mesothelioma cause.
People who work directly with asbestos have the highest chance of developing mesothelioma. This is particularly true for those who work 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 fibers can end up within the lining of the lungs, stomach and heart. The asbestos can remain in the body for a prolonged period, causing malignant mesothelioma tumors to develop.
Inhaling or swallowing these contaminated fibers can lead to mesothelioma of the pleura, peritoneal mes and other forms of the disease. The symptoms can take between 30 to 50 years to show. To determine mesothelioma, a doctor must first rule out any other conditions that may cause symptoms.
Exposure to asbestos is known to cause pleural mesothelioma the most common type of cancer. It is believed that the risk for mesothelioma in this form decreases after a person’s asbestos exposure is over. However, the risk of mesothelioma peritoneal continues to rise even after exposure to asbestos has ended.
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous metamorphic minerals. It is invulnerable to heat and fire, and extremely durable, which made it a popular material for commercial, industrial and military use throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was heavily used from the end 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 most likely group to have diagnosed mesothelioma. However, a few people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and have no occupational history of exposure to asbestos. These individuals were exposed to asbestos via other means. For instance, a lot of women who had husbands who worked with asbestos brought home stray asbestos fibers on their clothing and skin. Those who received the polio vaccine during the 1950s and 1960s were found to be at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma because of the contamination of the polio vaccine asbestos.
Environmental Exposure
While asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma but there are a variety of other factors that could play a role. These could be related to a person’s age, gender, or genetics. People who have a predisposition to mesothelioma or other health issues are at a higher risk than those without.
Exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the reason for the majority of mesothelioma cases. People who have a long-term, continuous exposure to asbestos, such as shipyard workers or miners workers, are at most risk. However, a lot of people who have mesothelioma have not directly worked with asbestos. The risk of exposure to asbestos can be exacerbated when people live with a person who worked with asbestos and breathe in asbestos fibers. This kind of exposure is common among spouses of workers who worked with asbestos lawsuit.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may develop over time, and they may differ depending on the type a person has. It is essential for everyone to be aware of their risks and consult a physician when they experience any unusual or concerning symptoms.
Asbestos exposure can cause three types of mesothelioma namely pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. The lungs are affected by mesothelioma pleural, while organs of the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal as well as the pericardial. The most frequent mesothelioma is pleural, which usually occurs in the lungs. However, pericardial and peritoneal cancers can develop in the abdominal cavity.
Researchers have discovered that different substances could also cause mesothelioma. These include erionite which is a mineral similar to asbestos as well as radiation therapy. In addition, a virus known as SV40 and certain varieties of talcum powder could cause mesothelioma.
The study of the causes of mesothelioma may help doctors diagnose more accurately and quickly. Patients with mesothelioma are able to receive treatment earlier and improve their outcome. It is also crucial to know the mesothelioma risks of other factors so we can help prevent more mesothelioma cases in the near future. The use of talcum can result in more women developing peritoneal cancer. We can reduce the number diagnosed with cancer by educating the public about mesothelioma. This is crucial because mesothelioma may have symptoms that may be delayed by up to 50 years.
Genetics
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should see a specialist. Early treatment offers the best chance of survival. While asbestos litigation exposure is the most common mesothelioma cause, research continues to identify other risk factors like talcum powder and SV40. Understanding and avoiding these risks will help to prevent the occurrence of more cases of mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a group of fibrous minerals that were utilized extensively throughout the 20th century in various industrial, commercial and military applications. Its durability and fire resistance made it popular with manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos became apparent and were well-documented by researchers, leading to its phase out. The people who were exposed to asbestos while 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 those who worked with or wore clothes that was contaminated with asbestos.
Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lung’s lining (the pleura), where they become inflamed and then develop into tumors. The signs of mesothelioma could take a while to manifest, but they are typically advanced by the time that they begin to manifest. The symptoms can include chest pain, heavy breathing or difficulty breathing. Fluid buildup in the lungs is also an indication.
Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous cell mutations. These are caused by asbestos exposure, but a lot of researchers believe that the genes of a person also play an important role. 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 gene mutation was found in every member of the family suffering from mesothelioma.
Genetics is only one aspect of the equation for mesothelioma, but it’s an important one. Only a small percentage of people who have suffered from asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma which suggests a person’s genetics are also at play. Most mesothelioma patients have mutated tumor suppressing genes. As the research continues, these genes will be investigated and analyzed better to prevent further mesothelioma cases from occurring. It is also likely that those who are genetically predisposed will need to be more careful about asbestos exposure and will need regular screening for mesothelioma-related symptoms.