Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
The tissue that surrounds the lungs and other organs can develop mesothelioma. Patients who develop this cancer are usually exposed to asbestos during their work.
Asbestos is composed of a group minerals that form strong and microscopic fibers. It was used in construction and automotive products because it is resistant to heat water and fire.
Occupational Exposure
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used extensively for its fireproof properties before it was banned in the 1970s. The people who worked with asbestos, whether they mined it or handled it in factories are at risk of developing mesothelioma. The highest risk is for those who have been exposed to large quantities of microscopic fibers of asbestos over a long time. Mesothelioma is usually not diagnosed until a long time after asbestos exposure. The majority of mesothelioma is linked to occupational exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos fibers are inhaled and swallowed when disturbed. These fibers may be transported to the thin layer of tissue that covers organs. This layer is known as the mesothelium and it can develop mesothelioma-related cancerous tumors. Pleural mesothelioma is a tumor that develops around the lung and is the most prevalent mesothelioma type. Other types of mesothelioma are mesothelioma peritoneal, which develops in the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma growing around the heart.
Mesothelioma can also occur in other parts of the body if asbestos is inhaled or ingested less frequently. It can occur in the testicles' lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the wall of the abdominal cavity (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is usually the result of mesothelium damage and it's difficult to determine whether it was caused by occupational exposure or another cause.
Certain people who have mesothelioma develop the disease from secondhand contact. This is often referred to as take-home exposure, and happens when asbestos is found on workers' clothing or equipment. In these instances workers' clothing is typically cleaned and washed by families, which results in a higher risk of exposure than was expected. Certain studies have revealed that the use of an asbestos-like material known as erionite increases the risk of mesothelioma developing in those who live near deposits of erionite.
Other factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma include certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can damage mesothelium, which can cause mesothelioma. However they do not cause a significant number of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
Other factors can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes genetics, history of radiation therapy on the chest, and exposure to secondhand radiation. A mesothelioma-related family history can also increase the chance of contracting the disease. Asbestos is still the primary reason for mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is most common in people who work with asbestos. This is particularly true for those who are employed in the manufacturing, construction shipbuilding, asbestos mining industries. When they break or disturb asbestos those who work with it often inhale tiny asbestos fibers. These fibers can settle within the lining of the stomach, lungs and heart. The asbestos may remain in the body for a prolonged period and cause malignant mesothelioma cancers to develop.
Inhaling and swallowing these fibers may cause pleural, peritoneal, or other mesothelioma types. Symptoms can take anywhere from 30 to 50 years to appear. In order to diagnose mesothelioma doctors must first rule out other conditions which could be the cause of the patient's symptoms.
Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most frequent form of cancer. After exposure to asbestos, the chance of developing this type of mesothelioma may decrease. However, the risk for mesothelioma peritoneal continues to rise even after exposure to asbestos has been ended.
Asbestos is comprised of metamorphic fibrous minerals that occur naturally. It is extremely durable and is resistant to heat and fire making it a preferred choice for industrial, military and commercial applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was heavily employed from the time of World War II through to the mid 1970s, and it was commonly used 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 prior asbestos-related occupational exposure. They were exposed to the mineral through other means. Women whose husbands worked with asbestos would bring home asbestos fibers from their clothing or skin. Those who were exposed to the polio vaccine in the 1950s and 1960s have been found to be at an increased risk for mesothelioma as well, due to the contamination of the polio vaccine with asbestos.
Environmental Exposure
Asbestos is the primary reason for mesothelioma. However other factors could also be involved. This could be due to the person's gender, age or genetics. People who have a predisposition to mesothelioma, or other health problems are at a higher risk than those without.
The exposure to asbestos in the workplace accounts for the majority of mesothelioma cases. The greatest risk is for people who have been exposed to asbestos over a long period of time for example, mine workers or shipyard workers. However, many of those with mesothelioma didn't directly work 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 occurs most often in spouses of asbestos workers.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may be seen over time, and will vary depending on the type a person has. It is important for everyone to be aware of the risks and consult a physician if they are experiencing any unusual or worrying symptoms.
Asbestos exposure can lead to three kinds of mesothelioma: pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. The lung is affected by pleural mesothelioma, and organs in the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal as well as the pericardial. The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural and typically occurs in the lungs. However, pericardial and peritoneal cancers can develop in the abdominal cavity.
Researchers have discovered that other substances may also cause mesothelioma. Radiation therapy and Erionite (a mineral that is similar in appearance to asbestos) are among the chemicals that can cause mesothelioma. A virus called SV40 and certain varieties of talcum powder can also trigger mesothelioma.
The research into the causes of mesothelioma can help doctors diagnose more accurately and speedily. This allows mesothelioma patients to receive treatment earlier and better their outcomes. Knowing about other mesothelioma-related risks is crucial to prevent mesothelioma from occurring in the future. For example, the use of talcum powder could cause more women to develop mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. We can cut down on the number diagnosed with cancer by educating the general public about mesothelioma. This is particularly important as mesothelioma signs are usually delayed for up to 50 years.
Genetics
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma you should seek out a specialist. Early treatment offers the best prognosis. Research continues to reveal other risk factors, like talcum and SV40. Understanding these dangers and how to avoid them can prevent more mesothelioma cases.
Asbestos is a group of fibrous minerals that were utilized extensively throughout the 20th century for various industrial, commercial and military applications. Its durability and fire-resistant properties made it popular among manufacturers. However asbestos' dangers became evident and were documented by researchers, resulting in its removal. The people who were exposed to asbestos at work are at the highest risk for mesothelioma. This includes miners factory workers asbestos insulation manufacturers, installers, railroad workers auto manufacturers, ship builders and those who worked with or wore clothes that was contaminated with asbestos.
As asbestos fibers inhaled settle in the lining (pleura) of the lungs, where they are affected. They eventually develop cancers. The symptoms typically take years to manifest, but by the time they do, mesothelioma is already advanced. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and chest pain or heaviness and fluid buildup in the lung.
Mesothelioma results from cancerous cell mutations. These are caused by asbestos exposure, but a lot of researchers believe that a person's genes can also play a role. Researchers have discovered a gene referred to as BAP 1 on the short arm of chromosome three that causes mesothelioma after investigating mesothelioma-related epidemics in two U.S. families with Swiss origins. Tracy asbestos lawyer in the family who developed mesothelioma was affected by this mutation.
Genetics is only one component of the mesothelioma enigma however it is a crucial one. There is a very small proportion of asbestos-related sufferers develop mesothelioma. This suggests that genes also play in a part. The majority of mesothelioma patients are carriers of mutations in tumor suppressing genes. 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 require greater caution about exposure to asbestos and need regular screening for mesothelioma symptoms.