Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
Mesothelioma can be found in the tissue that lines the lungs, chest wall, abdomen, and other organs. People who develop this type of cancer are usually exposed to asbestos during their work.
Asbestos is made up of a group of minerals that create strong and microscopic fibres. It was utilized in construction and automotive products because it is resistant to heat, fire, and water.
Exposure to Work
Asbestos is a natural mineral that was extensively used for its fireproof properties prior to when it was banned in the 1970s. Mesothelioma is a risk for those who worked with asbestos. Those who have the highest risk are those who were exposed to large quantities of asbestos fibers that were microscopic for long durations of time. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't show until years after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, the majority of mesothelioma cases are attributed to exposure to asbestos in the workplace.
If asbestos is disturbed, its tiny fibers become airborne and can be breathed in or swallowed. The fibers can penetrate the thin layer of tissue that covers organs. This layer, called the mesothelium can grow into cancerous tumors of mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural that develops around the lung. Other types of mesothelioma are peritoneal and pericardial. They are formed in the abdomen.
Mesothelioma may also form in other areas of the body, if asbestos is inhaled or ingested in smaller quantities. It may occur in the lining of the testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the abdominal cavity's lining (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is typically the result of mesothelium damage which is why it's difficult to determine whether it was the result of occupational exposure or some other cause.
Certain mesothelioma patients have developed the disease through contact with asbestos from the outside. This is sometimes known as take-home exposure and it occurs when asbestos is brought home on the clothing of workers or other equipment. In these instances workers' clothing is frequently cleaned and washed by families, which results in a higher exposure than anticipated. Some studies have shown that the use of an asbestos that is similar to erionite can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma for those who live close to erionite deposits.
Other factors that can increase the risk of mesothelioma is certain medical treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. These treatments can harm mesothelium, causing mesothelioma. However, they do not make up a large percentage of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
Other factors can increase the mesothelioma risk. This includes genetics, a history of radiation therapy for the chest, and exposure to secondhand radiation. A family history of the disease may also increase an individual's risk. Asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma.
People who work directly with asbestos have the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. This is particularly applicable to those working in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, asbestos mining, and other related industries. The asbestos-related workers often breathe in tiny asbestos fibers when they tear or damage the material. The fibers then end up in the lining around the lungs, heart and stomach. The asbestos could remain in the body for a long period of time, causing malignant mesothelioma tumors to develop.
Inhaling and swallowing these fibers could cause pleural, peritoneal, or other types of mesothelioma. Symptoms can take anywhere from 30 to 50 years to appear. To diagnose mesothelioma, doctors must first rule out any other condition that could be causing the patient's symptoms.
The exposure to asbestos is believed to cause pleural mesothelioma the most common type of this cancer. After exposure to asbestos, the chance of developing this form of mesothelioma is believed to decrease. Visalia asbestos lawsuits of developing peritoneal cancer is not diminished after asbestos exposure has ended.
Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous metamorphic minerals. It is extremely robust and is resistant to fire and heat making it a preferred choice for industrial, military and commercial applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was widely used from the end of World War II and the mid-1970s. It was often found in insulation, ships and buildings, as well as automobile parts.
Workers who handled asbestos or inhale it were the main group who diagnosed mesothelioma. Some mesothelioma patients have been diagnosed even though they have no prior asbestos-related occupational exposure. These people were exposed to asbestos by other ways. Women whose husbands worked with asbestos would bring home asbestos fibers from their clothing or skin. The people who were vaccinated against polio during the 1950s and 1960s have been shown to be at an increased risk for mesothelioma as well 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 can also be involved. These may include a person's age, gender, or genetics. People who have a predisposition to mesothelioma or any other health problems are at a higher risk than people who don't have.
The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the reason for the majority of mesothelioma cases. The highest risk is for people who have been exposed to asbestos over many years for example, mine workers or shipyard workers. Many mesothelioma patients did not directly interact with asbestos. The second-hand exposure is possible when someone lives with someone who been exposed to asbestos and breathes asbestos-containing air. This type of exposure is most common for spouses of workers who worked with asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms typically occur over time and differ depending on the type of mesothelioma person is suffering from. Everyone should be aware of the risks they face and speak to their physician if they experience any symptoms that are unusual or alarming.
Asbestos exposure can lead to three kinds of mesothelioma: pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. The lungs are affected by pleural mesothelioma while organs in the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal as well as the pericardial. The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural, and usually develops in the lungs. However, peritoneal mesothelioma could develop in the abdominal cavity and mesothelioma that is pericardial develops in the lining of the heart.
Researchers have discovered that other substances can cause mesothelioma too. These include erionite, an asbestos-like mineral and radiation therapy. A virus known as SV40 and certain varieties of talcum powder could also cause mesothelioma.
Research into causes of mesothelioma helps doctors make diagnoses more quickly and accurately. Patients with mesothelioma are able to receive treatment sooner and improve their outcomes. It is also crucial to know the mesothelioma risks of other factors to help prevent more mesothelioma cases in the future. The use of talcum can result in more women developing peritoneal cancer. By educating people about mesothelioma, we can decrease the number of patients diagnosed with the cancer. 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. While asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma cause however, research continues to discover other risk factors, such as talcum powder and SV40. Knowing the dangers and how to avoid them can help prevent the development of more mesothelioma cases.
Asbestos is an asbestos group of fibrous mineral fibers that was extensively used throughout the 20th Century in commercial, industrial and even military applications. Its durability and fire resistance was a major draw for manufacturers. Researchers have documented the dangers of asbestos and proved that asbestos was hazardous. Its phase-out followed. Mesothelioma is the most frequent cancer among people who have been exposed to asbestos while at work. This includes miners factory workers asbestos insulation manufacturers, installers, railroad workers, auto makers, ship builders and others who handled or wore clothing contaminated with asbestos.
Inhaled fibers of asbestos settle in the lining (pleura) of the lungs, where they are affected. They then develop tumors. The signs of mesothelioma could take years to manifest, but they are usually advanced by the time that they show up. The symptoms include breathing difficulties and chest pain or heaviness and fluid buildup in the lung.
Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous mutations of cells. Researchers believe that exposure to asbestos is the main cause, but they also believe that genes play an important role. Researchers have discovered a gene known as BAP 1 on the short arm of chromosome Three that leads to mesothelioma after investigating mesothelioma-related epidemics in two U.S. families with Swiss ancestry. Every member of the family who was diagnosed with mesothelioma had this mutation.
Genetics is only one aspect of the equation for mesothelioma however it's a crucial one. A small proportion of those who suffer from asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma, which suggests that the person's genetics are also involved. Tumor suppressing genes appear to be mutated in most mesothelioma victims. As the research advances the genes will be studied and better understood to prevent mesothelioma. It is likely that those who are predisposed genetically to mesothelioma may also need to be more cautious about asbestos exposure, and will require regular screening for symptoms.