Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
Mesothelioma occurs in the tissues that line the chest wall, lungs, abdomen, and other organs. People who get this cancer usually worked on jobs where they were exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos is composed of a group of minerals that create strong and microscopic fibers. It was utilized in the construction and automotive industries because it resists heat, fire and water.
Workplace Exposure
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used extensively for its fireproof properties prior to when it was banned in the 1970s. Mesothelioma is a risk for those who have worked with asbestos. The highest risk is for those who have been exposed to large amounts of tiny asbestos fibers over a long period of time. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't appear until decades after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, the majority of mesothelioma cases are linked to occupational asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers can be breathed in and swallowed if disturbed. The fibers can penetrate the thin layer of tissue which surrounds organs. This layer is known as mesothelium. It can also develop mesothelioma-related cancerous tumors. The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural that develops around the lung. Other mesothelioma types include peritoneal mesothelioma, forming in the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma, that develops around the heart.
It can also occur in other parts of your body if you inhale or ingest asbestos in smaller quantities. It can be found in the testicles' lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and in the wall of the abdominal cavity (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is typically the result of mesothelium damage which is why it's difficult to determine if it was the result of occupational exposure or some other cause.
Lakewood asbestos lawsuit who have mesothelioma develop the disease from secondhand contact. The risk of exposure at home occurs when asbestos is carried home by employees on their equipment or clothing. In these cases families usually clean and wash the clothing of workers which can lead to greater risk of exposure than would normally be expected. Certain studies have revealed that the use of an asbestos-like material, erionite, increases the risk of mesothelioma in those living near erionite deposits.
Other factors that can increase the risk of mesothelioma is certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can damage mesothelium, causing mesothelioma. However they don't make up a large percentage of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
Other factors can increase the mesothelioma danger. This includes genetics, a history of radiation therapy on the chest, and exposure to secondhand radiation. A mesothelioma family history may increase the risk of contracting the disease. But asbestos is still the most common mesothelioma cause.
People who work directly with asbestos have the highest chance of developing mesothelioma. This is particularly applicable to those working in manufacturing, construction shipbuilding, asbestos mining and other related industries. Workers who work with asbestos frequently inhale tiny asbestos fibers when they break or disturb the material. The asbestos fibers can end up in the lining of the lungs, stomach and the heart. The asbestos fibers can stay in the body and cause malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Inhaling and swallowing these fibers could cause pleural, peritoneal, or other types of mesothelioma. The symptoms can develop anywhere between 30 and 50 years after exposure. In order to diagnose mesothelioma, doctors must first rule out any other condition that may be causing the patient's symptoms.
Exposure to asbestos is known to cause pleural mesothelioma the most frequent type of cancer. It is believed that the risk of mesothelioma in this form decreases after exposure to asbestos is over. However, the risk for mesothelioma peritoneal continues to rise even after the asbestos exposure has ended.
Asbestos is comprised of six metamorphic fibrous minerals that are found naturally. It is highly robust and is resistant to heat and fire making it a preferred choice for industrial, military and commercial applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was extensively utilized from the close of World War II through to the mid 1970s, and it was commonly used in buildings, ships as well as in automobile parts and insulation.
Workers who handled asbestos, or inhale it, were the primary group that developed mesothelioma. However, a few people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and have no occupational history of exposure to the mineral. They were exposed by other means. For example, many wives of husbands who employed asbestos brought home asbestos fibers on their clothing and skin. People who were vaccinated against polio during the 1950s and 1960s were found to be at a higher risk for mesothelioma as well because of the contamination of the vaccine for polio with asbestos.
Environmental Exposure
While asbestos is the primary mesothelioma cause, there are several other factors that could be involved. This could include age, gender or genetics. People with an inherited predisposition or other health problems are at a higher risk for developing mesothelioma than those who are not.
Most cases of mesothelioma result from asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who have a long-term, continuous exposure, such as shipyard workers or miners workers, are at the highest risk. Many mesothelioma patients did not directly work with asbestos. In addition, exposure through secondhand sources can occur when people live with a person who worked with asbestos and breathe asbestos fibers. This type of exposure is usually among spouses of asbestos workers.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may develop as time passes, and they can vary depending on what type a person has. Everyone should be aware of the risks they face and consult your doctor if they notice any symptoms that are alarming or unusual.
Asbestos exposure can trigger three types of mesothelioma, namely abdominal, pleural and pericardial. The lungs are affected by pleural mesothelioma, and organs in the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal and the pericardial. Most mesothelioma forms in the lungs. However, peritoneal mesothelioma can form in the abdominal cavity and pericardial mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart.
Researchers have discovered that different substances can cause mesothelioma too. This includes erionite, which is which is a mineral that is similar to asbestos as well as radiation therapy. A virus, known as SV40 and certain varieties of talcum powder may cause mesothelioma too.
The study of the causes of mesothelioma could aid doctors in diagnosing the cause more accurately and quickly. This allows mesothelioma sufferers to receive treatment sooner and improve their outcomes. Understanding other mesothelioma risks is important to help prevent future mesothelioma. For instance, the use of talcum powder may lead to more women developing mesothelioma peritoneal. Through educating the public about mesothelioma, we can reduce the number of people diagnosed with the disease. This is particularly important as mesothelioma signs are usually delayed for up to 50 years.
Genetics
If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma you should consult a specialist. Early treatment can give patients the best chance of surviving. Research continues to uncover additional risk factors, like talcum and SV40. Understanding these risks and avoiding them can help prevent the development of more mesothelioma cases.
Asbestos is an asbestos-related group of mineral fibers fibrous that was extensively used throughout the 20th Century in commercial, industrial and military applications. Its strength and resistance to fire led to it being a favorite among manufacturers. However asbestos's dangers became apparent and were well-documented by researchers, leading to its phase out. Mesothelioma is most common in those who were exposed to asbestos while at work. This includes miner, factory workers and asbestos insulation installers. They also include shipbuilders, railroad employees automakers, railroad workers.
Inhaling asbestos fibers can settle in the lining of the lungs (the pleura) which is where they get inflamed and then develop into tumors. The symptoms of mesothelioma may take a long time to show up, however they usually become advanced by the time they show up. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain or heaviness, and fluid accumulation in the lung.
Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous cell mutations. These are due to asbestos exposure, but a lot of scientists believe a person's genes also play an important 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 descent. The mutation in the gene was discovered in every member of the family with mesothelioma.
Genetics is just one component of the mesothelioma equation however, it's an essential one. A small proportion of people who experience asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma, which suggests that the person's genes may also be at play. The majority of mesothelioma patients are carriers of mutations in tumor suppressing genes. As research continues, these genes will be examined and understood more thoroughly to stop more mesothelioma from occurring. It is likely that those who have a genetic predisposition to mesothelioma may also need to be more vigilant regarding exposure to asbestos and will require regular screening to detect symptoms.