Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

People who use asbestos-containing products are at risk of ingesting asbestos fibers. These fibers pierce the tissue of the abdomen and chest cavity, known as the pleura or peritoneum.

Exposure to asbestos confers a lifetime risk of malignant mesothelioma that is peritoneal or pleural. While the risk does appear to decrease after 40 years of exposure, even minimal asbestos settlement exposure can be dangerous.

Age

The older a person is when exposed, the greater the risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds major organs in the body. The cancerous cells multiply rapidly and create tumors. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in people who have been exposed to asbestos, either through their own job or as a member of someone who was exposed to asbestos settlement.

Exposure to asbestos (www.netpinion.co.kr) can trigger mesothelioma due to the irritation of the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the linings of the lungs, but it can also affect the linings of the abdomen and peritoneum as well as the lining of the heart.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is extremely durable and heat resistant. It was widely used in construction, insulation and other industrial applications until the 1980s. During this time many millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos because of their work or by being around someone who was exposed to asbestos.

When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers into the air. They are too tough for the body's system to break them into pieces or process. The fibers can cause irritation and cancer in the lungs if they get stuck.

The signs of mesothelioma are usually not show up until decades after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to those of other types of cancer and can be fatal if not treated.

Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma than women. It is also more often diagnosed in people older than 45. People who are at highest risk of developing mesothelioma because of workplace asbestos exposure include miners, ship builders railroad workers, and those who handled or installed products made with asbestos. The asbestos on the clothing of these workers can put their family members at risk.

Smoking

The longer a person is exposed to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing mesothelioma. This is due to the lengthy latency period which can last between 20 and 60 years from first exposure until diagnosis. Mesothelioma may occur in different parts of the body, based on the type and amount of asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's lining cavity and chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs in the abdomen's lining, also known as the peritoneum.

People who have been exposed to asbestos are most often develop mesothelioma in their chest or lungs. People who worked in the power generation, shipbuilding and construction sectors are the most at risk. However, mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos in their homes or at school. This is because children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos could bring the fibers into their clothes, skin and hair, which can put them at risk as well.

Mesothelioma patients are usually white and older than 65. They are also more likely to have a blue-collar occupation or military history. The United States Navy and other branches of the military used asbestos extensively due to its flame-resistant properties, and millions of veterans could have been exposed to it.

When DNA changes occur, they may cause cells to multiply unchecked. This can lead to the growth of tumors which eventually grow into mesothelioma. The disease can affect the whole body but is most common in the chest and abdomen.

Smoking does not cause mesothelioma, but it increases the risk of getting this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos an individual inhales. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should stop smoking.

The treatment plan of a patient with mesothelioma should also include a doctor who is familiar with asbestos exposure and risk factors. A mesothelioma specialist who is experienced on their side can help them determine the best approach to treat this rare cancer. The doctor will determine whether the patient is suitable for immunotherapy or experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs, is used in a variety of products, such as roofing, flooring, and insulation. Workers who handle, manufacture or work with asbestos-containing products are at high risk for exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can lead to illness and cancer.

There is a long time of latency between the exposure to asbestos and the first signs of symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose many asbestos law-related diseases. Mesothelioma is the most deadly of asbestos-related diseases, is no exception. Mesothelioma symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.

The most frequent way in which people are exposed. Manufacturing, construction, electrical and automobile mechanic jobs all require handling or using asbestos parts and materials. Some people are also exposed to asbestos through home activities, such as smoking, or renovating older houses that contain asbestos.

Most mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos inhalation. Asbestos particles that are inhaled may travel into the lungs and irritate the lining called the pleura. This irritation leads to the formation of thickened patches on the pleura (pleural plaques) and fibrosis of the lungs. As the disease advances, it could cause to the accumulation of fluid within the chest cavity and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue of other organs such as the abdomen and the heart.

People who are exposed to asbestos at work are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma. People with a history of family members or mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases are also at risk. The risk of asbestos exposure is higher if one has worked in more than one job over the course of their life. Smoking cigarettes doesn't increase the risk of mesothelioma however it can make the condition worse for those who have already been diagnosed. If you have a history of exposure to asbestos and have mesothelioma symptoms, quitting smoking can prolong your life and improve the outcome of your treatment. Inform your doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos or have any new symptoms, like abdominal pain or shortness of breathe. They can prescribe medication or perform surgery to treat the condition.

Genetics

Many cancers are genetically linked, meaning that a person’s genes can increase the chances of getting a particular disease. But mesothelioma itself does not have an element of genetics. The exposure to asbestos is the primary cause.

Asbestos fibers can enter the body via inhalation or swallowed, and then clinging to the chest's lining (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum) or around the heart (the pericardium). Over time the loose fibers could cause damage or alteration to the cells that comprise these small linings, which can result in mesothelioma development.

However, mesothelioma does not affect every person who is exposed. Researchers believe that other aspects can determine if a person develops mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. This includes gender, age, gender, family history of mesothelioma, and other diseases as in addition to any other risk factors, such as smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to be found in males than females. This could be due to the fact that more males than females were directly exposed to asbestos at work. It can take between 20 to 60 years for mesothelioma develop following the first exposure to asbestos.

A faulty gene is a second risk factor for mesothelioma. In a study that looked at two families with high levels of mesothelioma, researchers discovered that nearly everyone in the family had a defective gene on their short arm of chromosome 3. The gene is known as BAP 1 and regulates how calcium moves inside cells. With a faulty gene this process is disrupted and calcium levels drop. This causes asbestos litigation to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.

Additionally the mutated gene within a person's immune system can also raise the chance of developing mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos litigation. People with this gene mutation have a lower percentage of white blood cells, which are the cells that fight off cancerous cells.

The kind of asbestos to which a person was exposed and the work they performed can increase a person's risk of mesothelioma. The polio vaccine, given to children between 1940 and 1950, could also increase a person’s risk of developing mesothelioma through exposed to the cancer-causing SV40.