Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the tissue that lines the chest wall, lungs abdomen and other organs. Patients who develop this cancer usually had jobs that exposed them to asbestos.

Asbestos is a group of minerals that make strong, microscopic fibers. It was used in the manufacture of automobile and construction materials, as it is resistant to fire, heat and water.

Exposure to Work

Asbestos is a naturally occurring 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 handled it in factories are at risk of developing mesothelioma. The most at risk are those who were exposed to large quantities of microscopic asbestos legal fibers for prolonged durations of time. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't appear until decades 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. The fibers can penetrate the thin tissue layer that surrounds organs. This layer is known as the mesothelium, and it is prone to developing cancerous mesothelioma tumors. Pleural mesothelioma is a tumor that develops around the lungs and is the most common form of mesothelioma. Other mesothelioma types include peritoneal mesothelioma, forming in the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma growing around the heart.

Mesothelioma may also form in other parts of the body when asbestos is ingested or inhaled in smaller quantities. It can develop in the linings of the testicles and abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma usually occurs as a result of mesothelium damage, so it's hard to determine if it was caused by occupational exposure or another cause.

Certain mesothelioma patients 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 workers' clothing or other equipment. In these cases families are often required to wash and clean the clothes of workers which can lead to greater exposure than would otherwise be expected. Certain studies have revealed that the use of a similar asbestos known as erionite increases the risk of mesothelioma for those who live near erionite deposits.

Other factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma include certain medical treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can cause damage to the mesothelium and cause mesothelioma, however they do not account for a large proportion of cases.

Secondhand Exposure

A number of other factors can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma. Genetics, radiation therapy history to the chest, and exposure to secondhand radiation are all factors that could increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma. A family history of the disease may also increase the risk of an individual. However, asbestos remains the most common mesothelioma cause.

Workers who are directly exposed to asbestos are at the greatest chance of developing mesothelioma. This is particularly true for those who work in construction, manufacturing shipbuilding, asbestos mining and other related industries. People who work with asbestos often inhale tiny asbestos fibers when they tear or damage the material. The asbestos fibers can end up in the linings of the lungs, stomach and heart. The asbestos can remain in the body for a long period of time and cause malignant mesothelioma tumors to develop.

Inhaling or swallowing these contaminated fibers can cause pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and other types of the disease. The symptoms can develop anywhere between 30 and 50 years after exposure. To determine if mesothelioma is a disease, the doctor must first rule out other conditions that may cause symptoms.

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

Asbestos is a class of six naturally occurring fibrous metamorphic minerals. It is extremely robust and resistant to heat and fire making it a preferred choice for industrial, military and commercial applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was widely employed from the time of World War II through to the mid 1970s. It was often found in buildings, ships as well as in automobile parts and insulation.

Workers who used to handle or inhale asbestos were the most likely group to have developed mesothelioma. However, a few people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and have no previous occupational exposure to asbestos case. These individuals were exposed to asbestos via other methods. For instance, a lot of wives of husbands who worked with asbestos brought home stray asbestos fibers on their clothing and skin. Those who were exposed to the polio vaccine in the 1950s and 1960s have been found to be at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma because of the contamination of the vaccine for polio with asbestos.

Environmental Exposure

While asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma however, there are other factors that could play a role. These could be related to a person's age, gender, or genetics. People with a genetic predisposition or other health issues are at higher risk of developing mesothelioma than those who don't.

Exposure to asbestos lawyer in the workplace is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases. People who have a long-term, continuous exposure to asbestos claim, such as miners or shipyard workers, are at the most risk. However, many of those with mesothelioma did not work directly with asbestos. The risk of exposure to asbestos can be exacerbated when someone lives with a person who worked with asbestos and breathed in asbestos fibers. This type of exposure is common for spouses of workers who handled asbestos.

The symptoms of mesothelioma can become more apparent as time passes, and they may differ depending on the kind of mesothelioma a person has. It is important for everyone to be aware of their risk and talk to a doctor if they are experiencing any unusual or worrying symptoms.

Asbestos exposure can lead to three types of mesothelioma: Pericardial, peritoneal, and pleural. Pleural mesothelioma is a lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma affects organs in the abdomen and mesothelioma of the pericardium is a common occurrence heart. The majority of mesothelioma develops in the lungs. However, peritoneal mesothelioma could develop in the abdominal cavity and mesothelioma pericardial forms in the lining around the heart.

Researchers have discovered that other substances can also cause mesothelioma. This includes erionite, which is a mineral similar to asbestos as well as radiation therapy. In addition, a virus known as SV40 and certain varieties of talcum powder may cause mesothelioma.

Research into the causes of mesothelioma helps doctors to diagnose mesothelioma more quickly and precisely. This allows mesothelioma patients to receive treatment earlier and better their outcomes. Knowing about other mesothelioma-related risks is essential to avoid future mesothelioma. The use of talcum can cause more women to develop peritoneal cancer. We can cut down on the number diagnosed with cancer by educating people about mesothelioma. This is particularly important as mesothelioma symptoms can be delayed for up to 50 years.

Genetics

If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should consult a doctor. Early treatment gives patients the best chance of surviving. While asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma, research continues to discover other risk factors such as talcum powder and SV40. Knowing the dangers and how to avoid them can prevent more mesothelioma cases.

Asbestos is a group of fibrous minerals which were used extensively throughout the 20th century for various industrial, commercial and military applications. Its strength and fire-resistant characteristics was a major draw for manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos became apparent and were well-documented by researchers, resulting in its elimination. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the highest risk for mesothelioma. This includes miners, factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and railroad workers, installers and auto manufacturers, ship builders and those who handled or wore clothing that was contaminated with asbestos.

Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lung's lining (the pleura) and are inflamed and then develop into tumors. The symptoms typically take years to show up but when they do mesothelioma is already in advanced. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pain or heaviness and fluid buildup in the lungs.

Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous mutations in cells. These are caused by asbestos exposure, but a lot of researchers believe that a person's genes can also play a role. Researchers have discovered a gene referred to as BAP 1 on the short arm of chromosome three that causes mesothelioma after studying mesothelioma outbreaks in two U.S. families with Swiss descent. The gene mutation was found in every member of the family with mesothelioma.

Genetics is only one aspect of the mesothelioma equation however, it's an essential one. Only a tiny percentage of people who experience asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma which suggests that the person's genes may also be involved. Most mesothelioma patients have mutated tumor suppressing genes. As research progresses, these genes will be examined and better understood to prevent mesothelioma. It is also likely that those who have a genetic predisposition require greater caution about asbestos exposure and will require regular screening for mesothelioma symptoms.