Are Causes Of Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos The Best There Ever Was?

Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos

Mesothelioma can be found in the tissues that line the lungs, chest wall, abdomen, and other organs. Patients who develop this cancer usually had jobs which exposed them to asbestos.

Asbestos is one of the minerals that create strong, microscopic fibers. It was used to make automobile and construction materials because it is impervious to heat, fire and water.

Occupational 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 poses a risk to those who have worked with asbestos. The most at risk are those who were exposed to large amounts of tiny asbestos fibers for extended periods of time. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until decades after asbestos exposure. The majority of mesothelioma is caused by occupational exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and swallowed if disturbed. These fibers can reach the thin layer of tissue that covers organs. This layer, known as the mesothelium can grow into mesothelioma cancerous tumors. Pleural mesothelioma is a tumor that develops around the lung and is the most common form of mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma are pericardial and peritoneal. They develop in the abdomen.

Mesothelioma can also develop in other areas of the body, if asbestos is inhaled or ingested in smaller quantities. It can be found in the lining of the testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma) and in the lining of the abdominal cavity (pericardial mesothelioma). It's difficult to determine whether the mesothelioma resulted from exposure to occupational radiation, or some other cause.

Certain people who have mesothelioma develop the disease after exposure to secondhand sources. The risk of exposure at home occurs when asbestos is taken home by workers on their clothing or equipment. In these instances workers' clothes are typically cleaned and washed by their families, resulting in a higher risk of exposure than anticipated. Certain studies have proven that the use of asbestos-like substance similar to erionite raises the chance of developing mesothelioma among those who live in the vicinity of erionite deposits.

Other factors that may increase the risk of mesothelioma are certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can harm mesothelium, causing mesothelioma. However they don't make up a large percentage of cases.

Secondhand Exposure

Other factors can increase a person's likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes genetics, history of radiation therapy to the chest area and exposure through secondhand sources. A family history of mesothelioma can also increase an individual's risk. 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 construction, manufacturing shipbuilding, asbestos attorney mining, and other related industries. When they damage or disturb asbestos, those who work with it typically inhale tiny fibers of asbestos. The fibers can be found in the lining of the lungs, stomach and heart. The asbestos could remain in the body for a long time and cause malignant mesothelioma cancers to grow.

Inhaling and swallowing these fibers may result in peritoneal, pleural or other types of mesothelioma. Symptoms can take anywhere from 30 to 50 years before they appear. In order to diagnose mesothelioma, doctors must first rule out any other condition that could be causing the patient's symptoms.

Exposure to asbestos is known to cause pleural mesothelioma the most frequent type of this cancer. After exposure to asbestos the chance of developing this kind of mesothelioma is thought to decrease. However, the risk for mesothelioma of the peritoneal region continues to increase even after exposure to asbestos has been ended.

Asbestos is composed of six metamorphic fibrous minerals that occur naturally. It is extremely durable and is resistant to fire and heat, making it a popular choice for industrial, military and commercial applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was widely used between the close of World War II and the mid-1970s. It was often found in insulation, ships, buildings and automobile parts.

Mesothelioma is a common occurrence among asbestos workers who handled or inhaled asbestos. However, a few people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and have no occupational history of exposure to the mineral. These individuals were exposed to asbestos by other ways. Women with husbands who worked with asbestos brought asbestos fibers home from their clothing or skin. The asbestos contamination that was present in the vaccine against polio in the 1950s and 60s has been shown to increase the risk of mesothelioma in those who received it.

Environmental Exposure

While asbestos is the main mesothelioma cause, there are several other factors that can also play a role. These may include a person's age, gender, or genetics. People who have a predisposition to mesothelioma, or other health issues are at a greater risk than those who do not have.

Exposure to asbestos in the workplace is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases. People who have a long-term, continuous exposure to asbestos, such as miners or shipyard workers, are at the highest risk. A lot of people with mesothelioma did not directly interact with asbestos. Second-hand exposure can occur when you live with someone who worked with asbestos and breathes asbestos legal (Recommended Web page)-containing air. This type of exposure is most commonly among spouses of asbestos workers.

The symptoms of mesothelioma can become more apparent over time, and may differ depending on the type a person has. Everyone should be aware of the risks they face and consult their doctor if any symptoms are alarming or unusual.

Asbestos exposure can cause three types of mesothelioma: pleural, abdominal and the pericardial. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs and peritoneal mesothelioma can affect organs in the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma occurs around the heart. Most mesothelioma forms in the lungs. However, peritoneal mesothelioma can form in the abdominal cavity and mesothelioma that is pericardial develops in the lining around the heart.

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. A virus called SV40, and certain types talcum powder could also trigger mesothelioma.

The study of the causes of mesothelioma helps doctors make diagnoses faster and accurately. Patients suffering from mesothelioma can receive treatment earlier and improve their outcomes. It is also essential to understanding other mesothelioma risk factors to help to prevent mesothelioma cases from occurring in the near future. For instance the use of talcum powder could result in more women developing mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. By educating the public on mesothelioma, we can decrease the number of people who are diagnosed with the disease. This is particularly important because mesothelioma symptoms are typically delayed for up to 50 years.

Genetics

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma you should seek out a specialist. Early treatment provides the best prognosis. While asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma cause but research continues to identify other risk factors, such as talcum powder and SV40. Knowing the risks and avoiding them can stop mesothelioma cases from occurring.

Asbestos is one of the fibrous minerals that were utilized extensively throughout the 20th century for various commercial, industrial and military applications. Its strength and fire resistance led to it being a favorite among manufacturers. Researchers documented the dangers and made it clear that asbestos was a risk. Its phase-out followed. People who have been exposed to asbestos while at work are at the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma. These people include miners, factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and installers, railroad workers ship builders, auto manufacturers and others who handled or wore clothing which was contaminated by asbestos.

As asbestos case fibers inhaled settle in the lining (pleura) of the lungs, where they are irritated. They then develop tumors. The signs typically take a long time to appear 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 results from cancerous cell mutations. Scientists believe that asbestos exposure is a major factor however, they believe that genes play a part. Researchers discovered a gene known as BAP 1, located on the short arm of chromosome 3, which causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene after studying mesothelioma outbreaks in two U.S. families with Swiss ancestry. The gene mutation was found in every member of the family with mesothelioma.

Genetics is only one aspect of the mesothelioma puzzle however it is a significant one. Only a small percentage of people who experience asbestos case exposure develop mesothelioma, which suggests that the person's genes may also be involved. The majority of mesothelioma patients are carriers of mutations in tumor suppressing genes. As the research continues, these genes will be examined and understood more thoroughly to stop more mesothelioma from occurring. It is likely that people who are predisposed genetically to mesothelioma may also need to be more vigilant about exposure to asbestos, and will require regular screening for symptoms.