Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos

The tissue that lines the lungs and other organs can develop mesothelioma. Patients who develop this cancer typically worked in jobs that exposed them to asbestos.

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

Workplace Exposure

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used extensively to protect against fire before it was banned in the 1970s. 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 extended durations of time. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't appear until decades after exposure to asbestos. This is why the majority of mesothelioma cases can be traced to occupational asbestos (right here) exposure.

When asbestos is disturbed, its tiny fibers are released into the air and can be inhaled or swallowed. These fibers can reach the thin tissue layer that covers organs. This layer, known as the mesothelium can grow into mesothelioma cancerous tumors. Pleural mesothelioma forms around the lungs and is the most common form of mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma are 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 litigation is inhaled or consumed with smaller amounts. It can occur in the testicles' lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and in the abdominal cavity's lining (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is typically the result of an injury to the mesothelium which is why it's difficult to determine whether it was caused by exposure to occupational radiation or a different cause.

Some individuals with mesothelioma have contracted the disease via contact with asbestos from the outside. It is sometimes called take-home exposure and it happens when asbestos is found on the clothing of workers or other equipment. In these cases workers' clothes are typically cleaned and washed by their families, resulting in a greater exposure than anticipated. Certain studies have revealed that the use of a similar asbestos called erionite can increase the risk of mesothelioma developing in those who live near deposits of erionite.

Other factors that may increase the risk of mesothelioma is certain medical treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can harm the mesothelium and lead to mesothelioma, but they do not account for a significant number of cases.

Secondhand Exposure

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

People who work directly with asbestos are at the greatest chance of developing mesothelioma. This is particularly relevant for those working in manufacturing, construction, shipbuilding, asbestos mining and other related industries. People who work with asbestos often breathe in tiny asbestos fibers when they break or disturb the substance. The asbestos fibers can end up in the lining of the stomach, lungs and heart. The asbestos can remain in the body for a long period of time and cause malignant mesothelioma cancers to grow.

Inhaling or swallowing these harmful fibers could lead to mesothelioma pleural, peritoneal mesot and other types of the disease. The symptoms can manifest anywhere between 30 and 50 years after exposure. To diagnose mesothelioma, doctors must first rule out other conditions which could be the cause of the patient's symptoms.

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

Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring metamorphic fibrous minerals. It is resistant to heat and fire and extremely durable, making it a popular material for industrial, commercial and military use throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was extensively utilized from the close of World War II through to the mid 1970s. It was most commonly found in buildings, ships automobile parts, and insulation.

Workers who used to handle or inhale asbestos were the most likely group to have diagnosed mesothelioma. However, a few people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and have no occupational history of exposure to asbestos attorney. They were exposed to asbestos through other means. For instance, many wives of husbands who worked with asbestos brought home asbestos fibers on their clothes and skin. The people who received the polio vaccine during the 1950s and 1960s were found to be at a higher risk for mesothelioma as well, due to the contamination of the polio vaccine asbestos.

Environmental Exposure

While asbestos is the primary mesothelioma trigger however, there are other factors that could be involved. These may include a person's age, gender, or genetics. People with a genetic predisposition to mesothelioma or other health issues are at a greater risk than those who do not have.

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, like shipyard or miners workers, are at most risk. However, a lot of people who have mesothelioma have not directly worked with asbestos. The risk of exposure to asbestos case can be exacerbated when someone lives with someone who was exposed to asbestos and breathed in asbestos fibers. This type of exposure is common among spouses of those who worked with asbestos.

The symptoms of mesothelioma may develop over time, and they can vary depending on what type a person has. It is crucial for everyone to be aware of their risks and consult a physician when they experience any unusual or alarming symptoms.

Asbestos exposure can trigger three kinds of mesothelioma: Pericardial, peritoneal, and pleural. Pleural mesothelioma is a lung cancer and peritoneal mesothelioma can affect organs in the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma occurs around the heart. Most mesothelioma forms in the lung. However, peritoneal mesothelioma can be found in the abdominal cavity. pericardial mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart.

Researchers have found that other substances can cause mesothelioma too. These include erionite, a mineral similar to asbestos, and radiation therapy. Additionally, a virus called SV40 and certain varieties of talcum powder may cause mesothelioma.

The study of the causes of mesothelioma may help doctors diagnose more accurately and speedily. Patients with mesothelioma can receive treatment earlier and better their outcomes. It is also essential to understand other mesothelioma risk factors so that we can to prevent mesothelioma cases from occurring in the near future. The use of talcum may increase the risk of women developing peritoneal cancer. By educating the public on mesothelioma, we can decrease the number of people diagnosed with the disease. This is important because mesothelioma may have symptoms that are delayed up to 50 years.

Genetics

If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma you should seek out a specialist. Early treatment provides the best chance for a positive outcome. While asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma cause however, research continues to discover other risk factors such as talcum powder and SV40. Knowing the dangers and how to avoid 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 commercial, industrial and military applications. Its strength and resistance to fire led to it being a favorite among manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos were discovered and documented by researchers, resulting in its phase out. People who were exposed to asbestos at work are at risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes miners factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and railroad workers, installers and auto makers, ship builders and those who handled or wore clothing which was contaminated by asbestos.

Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lung's lining (the pleura) which is where they get irritation and eventually grow into tumors. Symptoms typically take years to show up, but by the time they do mesothelioma is already in advanced. Symptoms can include chest pain, heavy breathing or difficulty breathing. Fluid accumulation in the lungs is also an indication.

Mesothelioma results from cancerous cell mutations. These are due to asbestos exposure, but a lot of 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, that causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene after investigating mesothelioma epidemics in two U.S. family with Swiss origins. Every person in the family who was diagnosed with mesothelioma had this mutation.

Genetics is only one aspect of the mesothelioma equation however it is an important one. A small proportion of people who have suffered from asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma which suggests that the person's genetics are also involved. Tumor suppressing genes appear to be mutated in most mesothelioma patients. As the research advances these genes will be studied and understood better to 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 symptoms.