Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos

Mesothelioma can be found in the tissue that lines the chest wall, lungs abdomen and other organs. People who get this cancer typically worked in jobs that exposed them to asbestos.

Asbestos is a class of minerals that form strong microscopically-sized fibers. It was used in automotive and construction products because it is resistant to heat water and fire.

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. Workers who handled asbestos whether they mined it or worked with it in factories are at risk of mesothelioma. The most at 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 decades after exposure to asbestos lawsuit. For this reason, the majority of mesothelioma cases can be traced to occupational asbestos exposure.

When asbestos is disturbed, its tiny fibers can become airborne and can be inhaled or swallowed. The fibers could be transported to the thin layer of tissue that covers organs. This layer, known as the mesothelium, can develop cancerous tumors of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a tumor that develops around the lung and is the most common mesothelioma type. Other mesothelioma types include peritoneal mesothelioma, forming in the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma, developing around the heart.

Mesothelioma can also develop in other parts of the body if asbestos settlement is inhaled or ingested less frequently. It can form in the testicular linings as well as the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is usually the result of mesothelium damage, so it's hard to determine whether it was caused by exposure to occupational radiation or some other cause.

Certain mesothelioma patients have been diagnosed with the disease due to contact with asbestos from the outside. This is sometimes called take-home exposure. It happens when asbestos is brought home on the clothing of workers or other equipment. In these situations workers' clothes are frequently cleaned and washed by families, which results in a greater exposure than expected. Some studies have found that the use of a similar asbestos called erionite can increase the risk of mesothelioma developing in those who live near erionite deposits.

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

Secondhand Exposure

A number of other factors can increase a person's chance of developing mesothelioma. Genetics, history of radiation therapy to the chest, and exposure to radiation from secondhand sources are all factors that can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. A family history of mesothelioma can also increase a person's chance of contracting the disease. However, asbestos remains the main mesothelioma cause.

People who work directly with asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma. This is particularly relevant for those working in manufacturing, construction shipbuilding, asbestos settlement mining, and other related industries. People who work with asbestos often breathe in tiny asbestos fibers when they tear or damage the substance. The asbestos fibers can end up in the lining of the lungs, stomach and the heart. The asbestos can remain in the body for a prolonged period and cause malignant mesothelioma tumors to develop.

Inhaling or swallowing these harmful fibers can lead to pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and other forms of the disease. The symptoms can take between 30 to 50 years to appear. To diagnose mesothelioma the doctor must first rule out other conditions that may 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 that is this type 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 class of naturally occurring metamorphic minerals that are fibrous. It is impervious to heat and fire and extremely durable, making it a popular material for industrial, commercial 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 settlement were the main group who developed mesothelioma. However, a few people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma who do not have a history of occupational exposure to asbestos. They were exposed to asbestos via other ways. For instance, a lot of women who had husbands who employed asbestos brought home stray asbestos fibers that landed on their clothing and skin. Those who were exposed to the polio vaccine in the 1950s and 1960s were found to be at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma too, due to the contamination of the polio vaccine asbestos.

Environmental Exposure

While asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma but there are a variety of other factors that could play a role. This could include gender, age, or genetics. People who have a genetic predisposition or other health problems are at a higher risk for developing mesothelioma than those who do not.

The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the reason for the majority of mesothelioma cases. People who have a long-term, continuous exposure to asbestos, such as shipyard workers or miners workers, are at highest risk. However, many of those with mesothelioma didn't directly work 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 type of exposure is common for spouses of workers who handled asbestos.

Mesothelioma-related symptoms usually appear over time and differ depending on the type of mesothelioma that a patient has. It is essential for everyone to be aware of the risks and talk to a doctor when they experience any unusual or concerning symptoms.

Asbestos exposure can trigger three types of mesothelioma namely Pericardial, peritoneal, and pleural. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma affects organs in the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma occurs around the heart. The most common mesothelioma is pleural, and usually forms in the lungs. However, peritoneal and pericardial cancers can develop in the abdominal cavity.

Researchers have found that other substances can also cause mesothelioma. These include erionite, a mineral similar to asbestos as well as radiation therapy. In addition, a virus known as SV40 and certain types of talcum powder may cause mesothelioma.

The research into the causes of mesothelioma may help doctors identify the cause more precisely and quickly. This allows mesothelioma sufferers to receive treatment earlier and improve their outcome. It is also essential to understand other mesothelioma risk factors to help to avoid more mesothelioma cases in the near future. The use of talcum can cause more women to develop peritoneal cancer. By educating the public on mesothelioma, we can reduce the number of people who are diagnosed with the cancer. 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 gives patients the best chance of survival. While asbestos exposure is the most common mesothelioma trigger, research continues to discover other risk factors, such as talcum powder and SV40. Understanding these risks and avoiding them can stop mesothelioma cases from occurring.

Asbestos is a group of fibrous minerals that were utilized extensively throughout the 20th century for various commercial, industrial 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. The people who were exposed to asbestos at work are at risk of developing mesothelioma. These people include miners, factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and railroad workers, installers auto manufacturers, ship builders and others who handled or wore clothing that was contaminated with asbestos.

Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lining of the lungs (the pleura) and are inflamed and then develop into tumors. Symptoms typically take years to appear however, by the time they do mesothelioma has already advanced. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pain or heaviness and fluid buildup in the lung.

Mesothelioma results from cancerous cell mutations. These are due to asbestos exposure, but many researchers believe that the genes of a person also play an important role. Researchers found a gene called BAP 1, which is located on the short arm of chromosome 3 that causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene after investigating mesothelioma epidemics in two U.S. family with Swiss ancestry. The mutation was discovered in every member of the family suffering from mesothelioma.

Genetics is only one component of the mesothelioma puzzle, but it is a crucial one. Only a tiny percentage of those who suffer from asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma which suggests a person's genetics are also in play. The genes that suppress tumors appear to be altered in the majority of mesothelioma sufferers. As the research continues the genes will be examined and understood more thoroughly to stop more mesothelioma cases from occurring. It is also possible that those who have a genetic predisposition need to be more careful about asbestos exposure and will require regular screening for mesothelioma-related symptoms.