Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
Mesothelioma occurs in the tissues that line the chest wall, lungs, abdomen and other organs. People who contract this disease usually had jobs where they were exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos is made up of a group of minerals that create strong and microscopic fibers. It was utilized in construction and automotive products because it is resistant to heat fire and water.
Workplace Exposure
Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used extensively to protect against fire before it was banned in the 1970s. Mesothelioma poses a risk to people who have worked with asbestos. The greatest risk is for those who have been exposed to large amounts of asbestos' microscopic fibers over a long period of time. Mesothelioma symptoms generally don't manifest until decades after exposure to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma cases are linked to occupational exposure to asbestos.
When asbestos is disturbed its tiny fibers are released into the air and can be inhaled or swallowed. These fibers can reach the thin layer of tissue which surrounds organs. This layer, called the mesothelium, may develop cancerous tumors of mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is mesothelioma that is pleural, and develops around the lungs. Other mesothelioma forms are peritoneal and pericardial. They develop in the abdomen.
Mesothelioma can also develop in other areas of the body, if asbestos is inhaled or ingested with smaller amounts. It can occur in the testicles' lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and in the wall of the abdominal cavity (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is usually the result of an injury to the mesothelium and it's difficult to determine if it was caused by occupational exposure or another cause.
Some people with mesothelioma have contracted the disease via secondhand contact. Take-home exposure occurs when asbestos is carried home by workers wearing equipment or clothing. In these situations workers' clothing is typically cleaned and washed by families, which results in a higher exposure than anticipated. Some studies have found that the use of a similar asbestos called erionite can increase the risk of mesothelioma for those who live near deposits of erionite.
The use of chemotherapy and radiation is also treatments that increase the chance of developing mesothelioma. These treatments can harm mesothelium, causing mesothelioma. However, they do not account for a large number of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
Many other factors can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes genetics, a history of radiation therapy for the chest and secondhand exposure. A family history of the disease can also increase the risk of an individual. However, asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma.
People who work directly with asbestos are at chance of developing mesothelioma. This is especially true for those who are employed in the manufacturing, construction shipbuilding, asbestos mining industries. The asbestos-related workers frequently inhale tiny asbestos fibers when they break or disturb the substance. These fibers can settle in the lining of the stomach, lungs and the heart. The asbestos fibers can remain in the body and cause malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Inhaling and swallowing these fibers can result in peritoneal, pleural or other forms of mesothelioma. Symptoms can take anywhere from 30 to 50 years to show. To diagnose mesothelioma, doctors must first rule out other conditions that may be causing the patient's symptoms.
Pleural mesothelioma, also known as pleural meso commonly encountered form of this cancer. It is believed that the risk of this form of mesothelioma diminishes after a person's asbestos exposure is over. The risk of developing peritoneal cancer continues to increase even after the asbestos exposure has ended.
Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring metamorphic fibrous minerals. It is highly durable and is resistant to fire and heat making it a preferred 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 frequently used in insulation, ships and buildings, as well as automobile parts.
Workers who handled or inhale asbestos were the most likely group to have developed mesothelioma. However, a few people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and have no occupational history of exposure to asbestos. They were exposed by other methods. For example, many women with husbands who employed asbestos brought home asbestos fibers that landed on their clothing and skin. The people who were exposed to the polio vaccine in the 1950s and 1960s have been found to be at a higher risk for mesothelioma as well because of the contamination of the polio vaccine with asbestos.
Environmental Exposure
While asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma, there are several other factors that could play a role. This could include gender, age or genetics. People with a predisposition to mesothelioma or any other health problems are at higher risk than people who don't have.
Exposure to asbestos in the workplace accounts for the majority of mesothelioma cases. The most risk is for workers who have been exposed to asbestos for a long period of time like mine workers or shipyard workers. However, many of those with mesothelioma have not directly worked with asbestos. Second-hand exposure can occur when you live with someone who been exposed to asbestos and breathes in asbestos-containing particles. This type of exposure is most commonly among spouses of asbestos workers.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may become more apparent over time, and will vary depending on the kind of mesothelioma a person has. Everyone should be aware of the dangers they face and speak to their doctor if any symptoms are unusual or alarming.
Asbestos exposure may cause three types of mesothelioma: abdominal, pleural and the pericardial. The lungs are affected by pleural mesothelioma, while organs of the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal and the pericardial. The most frequent mesothelioma is pleural, and usually occurs in the lungs. However, peritoneal and pericardial cancers can also develop in the abdominal cavity.
Researchers have discovered that other substances can also cause mesothelioma. Radiation therapy and erionite (a mineral that appears similar to asbestos) are among the substances that can cause mesothelioma. Additionally, a virus called SV40 and certain types of talcum powder could cause mesothelioma.
Research into causes of mesothelioma helps doctors make diagnoses more quickly and precisely. Patients suffering from mesothelioma can get treatment earlier and improve their outcomes. It is also vital to understanding other mesothelioma risk factors to help to prevent mesothelioma cases from occurring in the near future. The use of talcum may increase the risk of women developing peritoneal cancer. By educating the public on mesothelioma we can cut down the number of patients diagnosed with the disease. This is crucial because mesothelioma can have symptoms that can be delayed for up to 50 years.
Genetics
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is recommended to see a specialist. Early treatment is the best chance for a positive outcome. While asbestos exposure is the most common cause of mesothelioma, research continues to uncover other risk factors like talcum powder and SV40. Knowing the risks and avoiding them can stop mesothelioma cases from occurring.
Asbestos is an asbestos-related group of fibrous mineral fibers that was extensively used throughout the 20th century in industrial, commercial and even military applications. Its strength and resistance to fire was a major draw for manufacturers. Researchers have documented the dangers of asbestos and proved that asbestos was a risk. Its elimination was a gradual process. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the highest risk for mesothelioma. This includes miner factory workers, miner's workers and asbestos insulation installers. They also include railroad workers, shipbuilders, automakers, and railroad workers.
Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lining of the lungs (the pleura) and are irritation and eventually grow into tumors. The signs typically take a long time to manifest however, by the time they do, mesothelioma is already advanced. It can be a sign of chest pain, heaviness, or difficulty breathing. Fluid accumulation in the lungs is also a symptom.
Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous mutations of cells. Beaverton asbestos lawyer believe that exposure to asbestos is a major cause, but they believe that genes play an important role. Researchers have discovered a gene named BAP 1, located on the short arm of chromosome 3 that causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene after investigating mesothelioma epidemics in two U.S. families with Swiss ancestry. Each person in the family who developed mesothelioma was affected by this mutation.
Genetics is just one component of the equation for mesothelioma however it's a crucial one. Only a small number of asbestos-related patients develop mesothelioma. This suggests that genes play in a part. The majority of patients with mesothelioma have mutations in their tumor suppressing genes. As research continues, these genes will be examined and understood more completely to prevent more mesothelioma developing. It is likely that people who are predisposed genetically to mesothelioma will also have to be more cautious about exposure to asbestos, and will require regular screening to detect symptoms.