Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos

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

Asbestos is a group of minerals that create strong microscopically-sized fibers. It was used to make construction and automotive products as it is invulnerable to fire, heat and water.

Exposure to Work

Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used extensively to protect against fire before 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. Those who have the highest risk are those who were exposed to large quantities of microscopic asbestos fibers for prolonged periods of time. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't appear until years 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 become airborne and can be breathed in or swallowed. These fibers may get into the thin layer of tissue that covers organs. This layer, dubbed the mesothelium can grow into mesothelioma-like cancerous tumors. The most common type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma that is pleural, and develops around the lungs. Other mesothelioma types include mesothelioma that develops in the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma, developing around the heart.

Mesothelioma can also develop in other parts of the body if asbestos law is inhaled or consumed with smaller amounts. It can be found in the testicles' lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and in the wall of the abdominal cavity (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is usually the result of mesothelium damage and it's difficult to determine if it was caused by exposure to occupational radiation or some other cause.

Some people with mesothelioma have developed the disease through contact with asbestos from the outside. This is sometimes called take-home exposure. It happens when asbestos is found on the clothing of workers or equipment. In these cases, families often wash and clean the clothes of workers, which leads to a greater risk of exposure than would normally be expected. Certain studies have revealed that the use of a similar asbestos called erionite can increase the risk of mesothelioma in those living near erionite deposits.

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

Secondhand Exposure

Many other factors can increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes genetics, a history of radiation therapy for the chest area and exposure through secondhand sources. A family history of the disease can also increase the risk of an individual. However, asbestos remains the main mesothelioma cause.

Workers who are directly exposed to asbestos are at the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma. This is especially applicable to those working 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 may remain in the body for a long period of time, causing malignant mesothelioma tumors to develop.

Inhaling or swallowing these harmful fibers could lead to pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and other types of the disease. The symptoms can develop anywhere between 30 and 50 years after exposure. In order 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 prevalent form of this cancer. It is believed that the risk for mesothelioma that is this type decreases after a person's asbestos exposure is over. However, the risk of mesothelioma of the peritoneal region continues to increase even after exposure to asbestos has ended.

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring metamorphic minerals that are fibrous. It is invulnerable to heat and fire and extremely robust, which made it a popular choice for commercial, industrial and military use throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was extensively employed from the time of World War II through to the mid 1970s. It was commonly used in ship, buildings as well as in automobile parts and insulation.

Workers who used to handle or inhale asbestos were the main group who diagnosed mesothelioma. However, a few people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma who have no occupational history of exposure to asbestos. They were exposed to asbestos by other methods. For instance, many wives of husbands who employed asbestos brought home asbestos fibers on their clothing and skin. People who received the polio vaccine during the 1950s and 1960s have been found to be at an increased risk for mesothelioma as well because of the contamination of the polio vaccine 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 include gender, age, or genetics. People with a genetic predisposition or health issues are at higher risk of developing mesothelioma than those who don't.

Exposure to asbestos in the workplace is responsible for most mesothelioma cases. People who have a long-term, continuous exposure to asbestos, such as shipyard workers or miners workers, are at the most risk. However, a lot of people who have mesothelioma did not work directly with asbestos. The risk of exposure to asbestos can be exacerbated when someone lives with someone who was exposed to asbestos case and breathe in asbestos fibers. This type of exposure is the most frequent for spouses of workers who handled asbestos.

Mesothelioma symptoms typically occur over time and differ based on the type of mesothelioma a person has. It is essential for everyone to be aware of their risk and speak to a doctor in the event of any unusual or worrying symptoms.

Asbestos exposure can trigger three kinds of mesothelioma: pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. The lung is affected by pleural mesothelioma while organs of the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal and the pericardial. The majority of mesothelioma develops in the lung. However, pericardial and peritoneal cancers can develop in the abdominal cavity.

Researchers have found that other substances can also cause mesothelioma. This includes erionite, which is a mineral similar to asbestos, and radiation therapy. A virus called SV40 and certain varieties of talcum powder can cause mesothelioma too.

The study of the causes of mesothelioma may aid doctors in diagnosing the cause more accurately and speedily. Patients suffering from mesothelioma can receive treatment earlier and improve their outcomes. Knowing the other mesothelioma risk factors is crucial to prevent future mesothelioma. The use of talcum could cause more women to develop peritoneal cancer. By educating people about mesothelioma, we can reduce the number of people who are diagnosed with cancer. This is particularly important as mesothelioma symptoms can be delayed for as long as 50 years.

Genetics

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma you must consult a doctor. Early treatment is the best prognosis. While asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma but research continues to identify other risk factors such as talcum powder and SV40. Knowing the risks and avoiding them can help prevent the development of 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 resistance was a major draw for manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos became apparent and were well-documented by researchers, leading to its phase out. People who have been exposed to asbestos while at work are at the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes miners factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and installers, railroad workers, ship builders, auto manufacturers and those who handled or wore clothing which was contaminated by asbestos.

Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lining of the lungs (the pleura), where they become irritation and eventually grow into tumors. The signs typically take a long time to manifest, but by the time they do mesothelioma has already advanced. It can be a sign of chest pain, heavy breathing or difficulty breathing. Fluid accumulation in the lungs is also a symptom.

Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous mutations in cells. They are caused by asbestos litigation exposure, but many scientists believe a person's genes can also play a role. Researchers have discovered a gene known as BAP 1 on the short arm of chromosome three that causes mesothelioma after investigating mesothelioma-related epidemics in two U.S. families with Swiss descent. Each person in the family that developed mesothelioma carried this mutated gene.

Genetics is only one component of the mesothelioma enigma, but it is an important one. A small proportion of people who experience asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma which suggests that a person's genes are also involved. Tumor suppressing genes appear to be mutated in most mesothelioma victims. As research progresses the genes will be investigated and better understood to help prevent mesothelioma. It is also possible that those who are genetically predisposed will have to be more cautious about asbestos exposure and will require regular screening for mesothelioma signs.