Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
The tissue that lines the lungs as well as other organs can develop mesothelioma. People who contract this disease usually worked on jobs that exposed them to asbestos.
Asbestos is a class of minerals that make strong microscopic fibers. It was used in the construction and automotive industries because it is resistant to heat fire and water.
Exposure to Work
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used extensively to protect against fire before it was banned in the 1970s. Mesothelioma poses a risk to those who worked with asbestos. The people who are at the highest risk are those who were exposed to large quantities of asbestos fibers that were microscopic for long durations of time. Mesothelioma symptoms generally don't manifest until decades after exposure to asbestos. This is why the majority of mesothelioma cases are attributed to exposure to asbestos in the workplace.
If asbestos is disturbed, its tiny fibers can become airborne and can be breathed in or swallowed. These fibers may get into the thin layer of tissue surrounding organs. This layer is known as the mesothelium and it can develop mesothelioma cancerous tumors. The most popular mesothelioma type is mesothelioma pleural that develops around the lung. Other mesothelioma types are peritoneal and pericardial. These form in the abdomen.
Mesothelioma may also form in other parts of the body, if asbestos is ingested or inhaled with smaller amounts. It can be found in the lining of the testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the wall of the abdominal cavity (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma usually occurs as a result of mesothelium damage which is why 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. The risk of exposure at home occurs when asbestos is brought home by workers wearing equipment or clothing. In these situations workers' clothes are typically cleaned and washed by families, which results in a higher exposure than anticipated. Certain studies have shown that the use of an asbestos-like material, erionite, increases the risk of mesothelioma for those who live near deposits of erionite.
Chemotherapy and radiation are both medical treatments that can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma. These treatments can damage mesothelium, causing mesothelioma, but they aren't responsible for a large proportion of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
Other factors can increase the mesothelioma danger. Genetics, history of radiation therapy to the chest, and exposure to secondhand radiation are all factors that can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. A mesothelioma-related family history can also increase a person's risk for the disease. But asbestos is still the main cause of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is the most frequent cancer among asbestos-related workers. This is especially relevant for those employed in the manufacturing, construction shipbuilding, asbestos mining industries. When they damage or disturb asbestos, people who work with it frequently breathe tiny asbestos fibers. These fibers can settle in the linings of the lungs, stomach and heart. The asbestos fibers can remain in the body and cause malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Inhaling and swallowing these fibers may result in peritoneal, pleural or other types of mesothelioma. The symptoms can take anywhere from 30 to 50 years before they appear. To determine if mesothelioma is a disease, the doctor must first rule out any other medical conditions that could be causing symptoms.
Exposure to asbestos is known to cause pleural mesothelioma the most frequent type of this cancer. It is believed that the risk for this form of mesothelioma diminishes when exposure to asbestos has ended. However, the risk of mesothelioma peritoneal continues to rise even after exposure to asbestos has been ended.
Asbestos is composed of metamorphic fibrous minerals that are naturally occurring. It is highly robust and is resistant to heat and fire which makes it a popular option for military, industrial and commercial applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was widely used from the close of World War II and the mid-1970s. It was commonly found in ship insulation and buildings, as well as automobile parts.
Mesothelioma is the most frequent cancer among asbestos workers who have handled or breathed in asbestos. However, there are some who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma but have no occupational history of exposure to asbestos. They were exposed to asbestos by other means. For instance, many women with husbands who worked with asbestos brought home stray asbestos fibers on their clothing and skin. People who were exposed to the polio vaccine in the 1950s and 1960s were found to be at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma, due to the contamination of the vaccine for polio with asbestos.
Environmental Exposure
Asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma. However other factors may be involved. These may include a person's age, gender or genetics. People who have a genetic predisposition or other health issues are more at risk of developing mesothelioma than those who are not.
Exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the reason for the majority of mesothelioma cases. The greatest risk is for people who have been exposed to asbestos for an extended period of time like shipyard or mine workers. Many people who have mesothelioma didn't work directly with asbestos. Second-hand exposure can occur if someone lives with someone who has worked with asbestos and breathes in asbestos-containing particles. This kind of exposure is common among spouses of workers who worked with asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms typically occur over time and vary depending on the type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from. Everyone should be aware of the risks they are exposed to and speak with their doctor if any symptoms are unusual or alarming.
Asbestos exposure can cause three types of mesothelioma namely pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. The lung is affected by pleural mesothelioma, while organs of the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal as well as pericardial. The most common mesothelioma is pleural and typically develops in the lungs. However, peritoneal and pericardial cancers can develop in the abdominal cavity.
Researchers have discovered that different substances can cause mesothelioma too. Radiation therapy and erionite (a mineral similar in appearance to asbestos) are among the compounds that can cause mesothelioma. A virus known as SV40 and certain kinds of talcum powder can also trigger mesothelioma.
Orem asbestos attorneys of the causes of mesothelioma may aid doctors in diagnosing the cause more accurately and quickly. This allows patients with mesothelioma to receive treatment earlier and better their outcomes. It is also vital to understanding other mesothelioma risk factors so we can help to prevent mesothelioma cases from occurring in the near future. For instance, the use of talcum powder could lead to more women developing mesothelioma peritoneal. By educating the public on mesothelioma, we can reduce the number of people who are diagnosed with the cancer. This is particularly important as mesothelioma symptoms are typically delayed for up to 50 years.
Genetics
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should see a specialist. Early treatment provides patients with the best chance of surviving. While asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma cause, research continues to uncover other risk factors, such as talcum powder and SV40. Knowing these dangers and how to avoid them can prevent more mesothelioma cases.
Asbestos is a group of mineral fibers with fibrous structure that was extensively used throughout the 20th century for industrial, commercial and even military applications. Its durability and fire resistance led to it being a favorite among manufacturers. Researchers have documented the dangers of asbestos and made it clear that asbestos was hazardous. The phase-out of asbestos followed. People who have been exposed to asbestos while at work 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.
Inhaled fibers of asbestos settle in the lining (pleura) of the lung, and are irritations. They then develop tumors. The signs of mesothelioma could take a long time to show up, but they usually become advanced by the time they appear. It can be a sign of chest pain, heaviness, or difficulty breathing. The accumulation of fluid in the lungs can also be a symptom.
Mesothelioma results from cancerous cell mutations. Researchers believe that exposure to asbestos is the main cause, but they believe that genes play an important role. Researchers have discovered a gene named BAP 1, located on the short arm chromosome 3, that causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene while studying epidemics of mesothelioma in two U.S. family with Swiss descent. The mutation was discovered in every member of the family with mesothelioma.
Genetics is just one part of the mesothelioma puzzle, but it is a crucial one. Only a tiny percentage of people who experience asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma, which suggests a person's genetics are also at play. The majority of patients with mesothelioma have mutations in their tumor suppressing genes. As the research advances, these genes will be investigated and understood better to prevent mesothelioma. It is also likely that those who have a genetic predisposition need to be more careful about exposure to asbestos and require regular screening for mesothelioma signs.