Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
Mesothelioma occurs in the tissues that line the lungs, chest wall, abdomen and other organs. Those who develop this cancer are usually exposed to asbestos through their work.
Asbestos is a group of minerals that create strong and microscopic fibres. It was utilized in the construction and automotive industries because it is resistant to heat, water and fire.
Workplace Exposure
Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used extensively for its fireproof properties before it was banned in the 1970s. Workers who handled asbestos whether they mined it or handled it in factories are at risk of developing mesothelioma. The highest risk is those who have been exposed to large amounts of asbestos' microscopic fibers over a long time. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until a long time after asbestos exposure. The majority of mesothelioma cases are related to occupational exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and swallowed if disturbed. The fibers could be transported to the thin layer of tissue that covers organs. This layer, dubbed the mesothelium, can develop cancerous tumors of mesothelioma. The most frequent mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural that develops around the lungs. Other types of mesothelioma are peritoneal and pericardial. They develop in the abdomen.
It may also be present in other parts of your body if you inhale or ingest asbestos in smaller quantities. It may occur in the testicles' lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and in the wall of the abdominal cavity (pericardial mesothelioma). It's not easy to determine if mesothelioma resulted from occupational exposure or another cause.
Some individuals with mesothelioma have contracted the disease via contact with another person. Take-home exposure occurs when asbestos is brought home by workers on their clothing or equipment. In these instances, families often wash and clean the workers' clothes which can lead to greater exposure than would otherwise be expected. Some studies have shown that the use of asbestos that is similar to erionite can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma among those who live near erionite deposits.
The use of chemotherapy and radiation is also medical treatments that can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. These treatments can cause damage to the mesothelium, causing mesothelioma. However they don't cause a significant number of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
Many other factors can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. Genetics, radiation therapy history to the chest, and secondhand exposure are all factors that can increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma. A family history of the disease may also increase an individual's risk. Asbestos is still the primary cause of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is the most frequent cancer among those who work with asbestos. This is particularly true for those who work in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, asbestos mining and other related industries. People who work with asbestos often breathe in tiny asbestos fibers when they tear or damage the substance. These fibers can then settle within the lining of the lungs, heart and stomach. The asbestos fibers may remain in the body and cause malignant mesothelioma tumours.
Inhaling and swallowing these fibers may cause peritoneal, pleural, or other mesothelioma types. The symptoms can manifest anywhere between 30 to 50 years after exposure. To determine mesothelioma, a doctor must first rule out any other conditions that could cause symptoms.
Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most commonly encountered form of this cancer. It is believed that the risk for mesothelioma in this form decreases when exposure to asbestos ends. The risk of developing peritoneal cancer increases even after asbestos exposure has ended.
Asbestos is made up of six metamorphic fibrous mineral that occur naturally. It is highly robust and is resistant to heat and fire making it a preferred option for military, industrial and commercial applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was widely utilized from the close of World War II through to the mid 1970s. It was most commonly found in buildings, ships, automobile parts and insulation.
Workers who used to handle asbestos or inhale it were the primary group that developed mesothelioma. Some mesothelioma patients were diagnosed despite having no prior asbestos-related occupational exposure. These people were exposed through other methods. Women with husbands who worked with asbestos brought asbestos fibers home from their clothing or skin. People who received the polio vaccine in the 1950s and 1960s were found to be at a higher risk for mesothelioma as well because of the contamination of the polio vaccine asbestos.
Environmental Exposure
While asbestos is the primary mesothelioma trigger, there are several other factors that can also be involved. These may include a person's age, gender or genetics. People with a predisposition to mesothelioma, or other health issues are at a higher risk than those without.
Most cases of mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure in the workplace. The highest risk is for workers who have been exposed to asbestos over an extended period of time, such as shipyard or mine workers. Many mesothelioma patients didn't work directly with asbestos. Secondhand exposure can also occur when someone lives with someone who worked with asbestos and breathed asbestos fibers. This kind of exposure is the most frequent for spouses of workers who handled asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms often appear over time and differ depending on the type of mesothelioma a person has. Everyone should be aware of the dangers they are exposed to and speak with their physician if they experience any symptoms that are alarming or unusual.
Asbestos exposure can lead to three types of mesothelioma: the pericardial, peritoneal and pleural. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs and peritoneal mesothelioma can affect organs in the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma occurs around the heart. The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural, which usually forms in the lungs. However, pericardial and peritoneal cancers can form in the abdominal cavity.
Researchers have found that other substances can cause mesothelioma too. Radiation therapy and Erionite (a mineral similar in appearance to asbestos) are among the chemicals that can cause mesothelioma. A virus called SV40, and certain types talcum powder can also trigger mesothelioma.
The research into the causes of mesothelioma could help doctors identify the cause more precisely and speedily. Patients suffering from mesothelioma can receive treatment earlier and improve their outcome. It is also vital to know the mesothelioma risks of other factors so we can help to avoid more mesothelioma cases in the near future. The use of talcum may result in more women developing peritoneal cancer. We can decrease the number of women diagnosed with cancer by educating the public about mesothelioma. 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. Albany asbestos lawyer offers the best chance of survival. While asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma cause however, research continues to discover other risk factors like talcum powder and SV40. Knowing these risks and avoiding them can help prevent more cases of mesothelioma.
Asbestos is an asbestos group of mineral fibers with fibrous structure that was extensively used throughout the 20th century for commercial, industrial and military applications. Its durability and fire-resistant properties was a major draw for manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos became evident and were documented by researchers, resulting in its phase out. The people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. These people include miners, factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and installers, railroad workers and auto manufacturers, ship builders and others who handled or wore clothing that was contaminated with asbestos.
The asbestos fibers that are inhaled get buried in the lining (pleura) of the lung, and are irritated. They eventually develop tumors. The signs typically take a long time to manifest, but by the time they show, mesothelioma is already advanced. The symptoms include breathing difficulties and chest pain, or heaviness and fluid buildup in the lungs.
Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous cell mutations. These are due to asbestos exposure, but a lot of researchers believe that a person's genes can also play a role. Researchers have discovered a gene named BAP 1, which is located on the short arm of chromosome 3, which causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene through studying epidemics of mesothelioma in two U.S. family with Swiss ancestry. The gene mutation was found in every member of the family suffering from mesothelioma.
Genetics is just one part of the mesothelioma equation however it is a significant one. Only a small percentage of people who experience asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma which suggests that a person's genetics are also in play. The majority of mesothelioma patients are carriers of mutations in tumor suppressing genes. As research progresses the genes will be investigated and understood better to prevent mesothelioma. It is also likely that those with a genetic predisposition will require greater caution about asbestos exposure and will need regular screening for mesothelioma signs.