Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos

The tissue that lines the lungs as well as other organs may develop mesothelioma. People who contract this disease usually worked on jobs which exposed them to asbestos.

Asbestos is a class of minerals that create strong, microscopic fibers. It was used to make automotive and construction products because it is impervious to fire, heat and water.

Workplace Exposure

Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used extensively for its fireproof properties prior to when it was banned in the 1970s. The people who worked with asbestos whether they mined it or worked with it in factories, are at risk of mesothelioma. Those who have the highest risk are those who were exposed to large quantities of microscopic asbestos fibers for prolonged periods 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 occupational asbestos exposure.

When asbestos is disturbed, its tiny fibers can become airborne and can be inhaled or swallowed. These fibers may reach the thin tissue layer that covers organs. This layer, known as the mesothelium, can develop mesothelioma-like cancerous tumors. The most frequent type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which forms around the lung. Other types of mesothelioma are peritoneal and pericardial. They are formed in the abdomen.

Mesothelioma can also develop in other areas of the body if asbestos is inhaled or consumed less frequently. It can also develop in the testicles' linings and the abdominal cavity. It is difficult to determine if mesothelioma resulted from occupational exposure, or some other cause.

Some people with mesothelioma have been diagnosed with the disease due to contact with asbestos from the outside. This is sometimes known as take-home exposure, and occurs when asbestos is brought home on the clothing of workers or other equipment. In these cases workers' clothing is typically cleaned and washed by families, resulting in a higher risk of exposure than anticipated. Certain studies have revealed that the use of a similar asbestos called erionite can increase the risk of mesothelioma developing in those who live near erionite deposits.

Chemotherapy and radiation are both medical treatments that may increase your chance of developing mesothelioma. These treatments can damage the mesothelium and lead to mesothelioma but they do not account for a significant proportion of cases.

Secondhand Exposure

Other factors can increase the mesothelioma risk. Genetics, history of radiation therapy to the chest, and exposure to radiation from secondhand sources are all factors that could increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma. A family history of the disease can also increase the risk of an individual. However, asbestos remains the main cause of mesothelioma.

Workers who are directly exposed to asbestos are at the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma. This is particularly applicable to those working in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, asbestos mining and other related industries. People who work with asbestos often inhale tiny asbestos fibers when they break or alter the substance. The asbestos fibers can end up in the lining of the stomach, lungs and the heart. The asbestos could remain in the body for a long time, causing malignant mesothelioma tumors to grow.

Inhaling and swallowing these fibers could cause pleural, peritoneal, or other mesothelioma types. Symptoms can take anywhere from 30 to 50 years to appear. To diagnose mesothelioma the doctor must first rule out any other conditions that could cause symptoms.

Exposure to asbestos is known to cause pleural mesothelioma the most prevalent form of cancer. It is believed that the risk of mesothelioma in this form decreases after a person's asbestos exposure has ended. However, the risk for mesothelioma peritoneal continues to rise even after exposure to asbestos has ended.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous metamorphic minerals. It is invulnerable to heat and fire, and highly robust, which made it a sought-after material for commercial, industrial and military uses throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was extensively utilized from the close of World War II through to the mid 1970s. It was often found in ships, buildings automobile parts, and insulation.

Workers who used to handle or inhale asbestos were the most likely group to have diagnosed mesothelioma. However, a few people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma who have no previous occupational exposure to asbestos. These individuals were exposed to asbestos via other ways. For instance, many women who had husbands who employed asbestos brought home stray asbestos compensation fibers that landed on their clothing and skin. People who received the polio vaccine in the 1950s and 1960s were found to be at a greater risk for mesothelioma as well because of the contamination of the polio vaccine with asbestos.

Environmental Exposure

While asbestos is the most common mesothelioma trigger however, there are other factors that may contribute to the development of. This could be due to the person's gender, age or genetics. People with an inherited predisposition or other health problems are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than those who do not.

The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is responsible for most mesothelioma cases. People who have a long-term, continuous exposure to asbestos claim, like shipyard or miners workers, are at highest risk. However, a lot of people who have mesothelioma have not directly worked with asbestos. The risk of exposure to asbestos can be exacerbated when people live with someone who worked with asbestos and breathe in asbestos fibers. This kind of exposure is common among spouses of workers who worked with asbestos.

Mesothelioma symptoms typically develop over time and can vary depending on the type of mesothelioma person has. 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 cause three types of mesothelioma namely the pericardial, peritoneal and pleural. The lung is affected by pleural mesothelioma, while organs in the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal as well as pericardial. The most frequent mesothelioma is pleural and typically develops in the lungs. However, peritoneal mesothelioma may form in the abdominal cavity and mesothelioma that is pericardial develops in the lining surrounding the heart.

Researchers have discovered that other substances could cause mesothelioma too. This includes erionite, which is a mineral similar to asbestos, and radiation therapy. A virus known as SV40 and certain kinds of talcum powder may also cause mesothelioma.

The research into the causes of mesothelioma can help doctors identify the cause more precisely and speedily. This allows patients with mesothelioma to receive treatment earlier and improve their outcomes. It is also essential to know the mesothelioma risks of other factors so that we can prevent more mesothelioma cases in the future. The use of talcum can cause more women to develop peritoneal cancer. We can decrease the number of women diagnosed with cancer by educating the general public about mesothelioma. This is particularly important as mesothelioma signs are usually delayed for up to 50 years.

Genetics

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma you must consult a physician. Early treatment can give patients the best chance of surviving. While asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma cause however, research continues to uncover other risk factors such as talcum powder and SV40. Knowing and avoiding these risk factors will help to prevent the occurrence of more cases mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a class of fibrous minerals that were utilized extensively throughout the 20th century in various industrial, commercial and military applications. Its durability and fire-resistant properties made it popular among manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos became apparent and were well-documented by scientists, leading to its phase out. People who have been exposed to asbestos at work are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes miners factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and railroad workers, installers, auto makers, ship builders and others who worked with or wore clothes contaminated with asbestos.

Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lining of the lungs (the pleura) which is where they get irritation and eventually grow into tumors. The signs typically take a long time to appear but when they do mesothelioma is already in advanced. The symptoms include breathing difficulties and chest pain, or heaviness, and fluid accumulation in the lung.

Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous cell mutations. They are caused by asbestos exposure, but many researchers believe that a person's genes are also a major factor. Researchers have discovered a gene named BAP 1, which is located on the short arm chromosome 3, which causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene through studying mesothelioma outbreaks in two U.S. family with Swiss descent. The mutation in the gene was discovered in every member of the family who had mesothelioma.

Genetics is only one component of the mesothelioma equation, but it is a significant one. Only a small percentage of people who experience asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma which suggests that the person's genes are also at play. The majority of patients with mesothelioma have mutations in their tumor suppressing genes. As the research continues this gene will be examined and understood better to prevent further mesothelioma developing. It is also possible that those who are genetically predisposed will have to be more cautious about asbestos exposure and will need regular screening for mesothelioma signs.