Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos

The tissue that lines the lungs and other organs can develop mesothelioma. People who get this cancer usually worked on jobs that exposed them to asbestos.

Asbestos is one of the minerals that make strong microscopically-sized fibers. It was used in automotive and construction products because it resists heat, fire, and water.

Exposure to Work

Asbestos is a natural mineral that was extensively used for its fireproof properties before 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 mesothelioma. The people who are at the highest risk are those who were exposed to large amounts of microscopic asbestos fibers for prolonged periods 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. These fibers can reach the thin tissue layer that surrounds organs. This layer is known as mesothelium, and it is prone to developing mesothelioma cancerous tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which forms around the lungs. Other types of mesothelioma are pericardial and peritoneal. These form in the abdomen.

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

Some people with mesothelioma have been diagnosed with the disease due to contact with asbestos from the outside. It is sometimes called take-home exposure. It happens when asbestos is brought home on clothing worn by workers or equipment. In these situations families usually wash and clean the clothing of workers and equipment, which results in greater risk of exposure than would normally be expected. Some studies have found that the use of a similar asbestos, erionite, increases the risk of mesothelioma in those who live near deposits of erionite.

Other factors that can increase the risk of mesothelioma are certain medical treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. These treatments can damage mesothelium, causing mesothelioma. However they don't account for a large number of cases.

Secondhand Exposure

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 the risk of an individual. However, asbestos legal remains the primary mesothelioma cause.

Workers who are directly exposed to asbestos have the highest chance of developing mesothelioma. This is especially relevant for 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 disturb the material. The asbestos fibers can end up within the lining of the stomach, lungs and heart. The asbestos could remain in the body for a long 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 to 50 years after exposure. To diagnose mesothelioma doctors must first rule out any other condition which could be the cause of the patient's symptoms.

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

Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring fibrous metamorphic minerals. It is invulnerable to heat and fire and extremely robust, which made it a sought-after material for industrial, commercial and military applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was widely used from the end of World War II through to the mid 1970s, and it was commonly used in ships, buildings automobile parts, and insulation.

Workers who handled or inhale asbestos were the main group who developed mesothelioma. However, there are some who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma but have no previous occupational exposure to asbestos. These people were exposed to asbestos through other ways. For instance, a lot of women with husbands who employed asbestos brought home stray asbestos fibers that landed on their clothing and skin. The people who were vaccinated against polio in the 1950s and 1960s have been found to be at an increased risk for mesothelioma as well due to the contamination of the vaccine for polio with asbestos.

Environmental Exposure

While asbestos is the main mesothelioma cause but there are a variety of other factors that could be involved. This could be due to the person's gender, age or genetics. People who have an inherited predisposition or other health problems are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are not.

The exposure to asbestos in the workplace accounts for most mesothelioma cases. People who have a long-term, continuous exposure to asbestos settlement, like shipyard or miners workers, are at most risk. However, many people with mesothelioma didn't directly work with asbestos. The risk of exposure to asbestos can be exacerbated when someone lives with someone who was exposed to asbestos and breathe in asbestos fibers. This type of exposure is most common among spouses of workers who handled asbestos.

Mesothelioma symptoms often develop over time and can differ depending on the type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from. Everyone should be aware of the dangers they face and speak to your doctor if they notice any symptoms that are unusual or alarming.

Asbestos exposure can trigger three types of mesothelioma namely Pericardial, peritoneal, and pleural. Pleural mesothelioma can affect the lungs and peritoneal mesothelioma can affect organs in the abdomen, and mesothelioma pericardial is found around the heart. The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural, which usually occurs in the lungs. However, pericardial and peritoneal cancers can also develop in the abdominal cavity.

Researchers have discovered that different substances can cause mesothelioma too. These include erionite which is a mineral similar to asbestos as well as radiation therapy. A virus called SV40 and certain kinds of talcum powder can cause mesothelioma too.

Research into causes of mesothelioma helps doctors make diagnoses faster and precisely. This allows mesothelioma sufferers to get treatment earlier and improve their outcome. Understanding other mesothelioma risks is crucial to prevent mesothelioma 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 especially important since mesothelioma symptoms are typically delayed for up to 50 years.

Genetics

If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should see a specialist. Early treatment gives patients the best prognosis. While asbestos claim exposure is the most common mesothelioma cause, research continues to uncover other risk factors, such as talcum powder and SV40. Knowing these risks and avoiding them can prevent more mesothelioma cases.

Asbestos is one of the fibrous minerals that were used extensively throughout the 20th century in various industrial, commercial and military applications. Its strength and resistance to fire led to it being a favorite among manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos became evident and were documented by scientists, leading to its phase out. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes miners, factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and railroad workers, installers auto manufacturers, ship builders and those who handled or wore clothing contaminated with asbestos.

Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lining of the lungs (the pleura), where they become irritated and eventually develop tumors. The symptoms of mesothelioma may take a long time to show up, but they are typically advanced by the time that they appear. The symptoms can include chest pain, heaviness or difficulty breathing. Fluid accumulation in the lungs can be an indication.

Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous mutations of cells. They are caused by asbestos exposure, however many researchers believe that a person's genes also play an important role. Researchers have discovered a gene named BAP 1, located on the short arm chromosome 3, which causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene after studying mesothelioma outbreaks in two U.S. family with Swiss origins. Every member of the family who was diagnosed with mesothelioma was affected by this mutation.

Genetics is just one component of the mesothelioma puzzle, but it's an important one. A small proportion of people who experience asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma which suggests a person's genes are also in play. Tumor suppressing genes seem to be altered in the majority mesothelioma patients. As research progresses, these genes will be studied and better understood to prevent mesothelioma. It is also possible that those with a genetic predisposition will need to be more careful about asbestos exposure and will need regular screening for mesothelioma symptoms.