Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the tissue that lines the chest wall, lungs abdomen, and other organs. People who contract this disease typically worked in jobs where they were exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos is a group of minerals that create strong microscopic fibers. It was used in automotive and construction products because it is resistant to heat, water and fire.

Occupational Exposure

Asbestos is a natural mineral that was extensively used to protect against fire before it was banned in the 1970s. Workers who handled asbestos regardless of whether they mined it or handled 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 extended durations of time. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't appear until years after exposure to asbestos. 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. These fibers can reach the thin tissue layer that surrounds organs. This layer, called the mesothelium can grow into cancerous tumors of mesothelioma. The most frequent mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma that is pleural, and develops around the lungs. Other types of mesothelioma include mesothelioma peritoneal, which develops in the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma, developing around the heart.

Mesothelioma can also occur in other parts of the body, if asbestos is ingested or inhaled with smaller amounts. It can develop in the testicles' linings and the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma usually occurs as a result of an injury to the mesothelium, so it's hard to determine whether it was caused by exposure to occupational radiation or a different cause.

Some people with mesothelioma have been diagnosed with the disease due to contact with asbestos from the outside. This is sometimes known as take-home exposure, and occurs when asbestos is brought home on workers' clothing or other equipment. In these instances families are often required to clean and wash the clothing of workers which can lead to greater risk of exposure than would normally be expected. Certain studies have shown that the use of a similar asbestos known as erionite increases the risk of mesothelioma in those who live near deposits of erionite.

Radiation and chemotherapy are also medical treatments that may increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. These treatments can damage the mesothelium and lead to mesothelioma but they do not account for a significant number of cases.

Secondhand Exposure

Many other factors can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. These include genetics, a history of radiation therapy to the chest and secondhand exposure. A family history of mesothelioma can increase the chance of contracting the disease. However, asbestos remains the most common cause of mesothelioma.

Workers who are directly exposed to asbestos are at 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 alter the material. The asbestos fibers can end up in the linings of the lungs, stomach and heart. The asbestos lawsuit may remain in the body for a long time, causing malignant mesothelioma tumors to grow.

Inhaling or swallowing these harmful fibers can cause mesothelioma of the pleura, peritoneal mes and other types of the disease. The symptoms can take anywhere from 30 to 50 years to show. To diagnose mesothelioma the doctor must first rule out any other conditions that could cause 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 has ended. However, the risk of peritoneal mesothelioma continues to rise even after exposure to asbestos has ended.

Asbestos is one of naturally occurring metamorphic fibrous minerals. It is extremely durable and is resistant to heat and fire making it a preferred option for military, industrial and commercial applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was widely used from the end of World War II through to the mid 1970s. It was most commonly found in ship, buildings as well as in automobile parts and insulation.

Workers who used to handle or inhale asbestos were the main group who developed mesothelioma. However, some people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and have no previous occupational exposure to asbestos. These people were exposed to asbestos via other methods. For instance, a lot of women with husbands who employed asbestos attorney brought home asbestos fibers on their clothes and skin. The people who were vaccinated against polio during the 1950s and 1960s have been found to be at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma too due to the contamination of the polio vaccine with asbestos.

Environmental Exposure

While asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma however, there are other factors that may be involved. This could include age, gender or genetics. People who have an inherited predisposition or other health issues are at higher risk of developing mesothelioma than those who are not.

The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is responsible for most mesothelioma cases. Workers with long-term, consistent exposure to asbestos, such as miners or shipyard workers, are at highest risk. However, many people with mesothelioma did not work directly 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 kind of exposure is most common for spouses of workers who worked with asbestos.

Mesothelioma-related symptoms usually appear over time and differ depending on the type of mesothelioma patient has. Everyone should be aware of the dangers they are exposed to and speak with your doctor if they notice any symptoms that are alarming or unusual.

asbestos lawsuit exposure can cause three kinds of mesothelioma: the pericardial, peritoneal and pleural. The lung is affected by pleural mesothelioma while organs in the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal as well as the pericardial. The majority of mesothelioma occurs in the lungs. However, peritoneal mesothelioma can develop in the abdominal cavity and mesothelioma pericardial forms in the lining surrounding the heart.

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

The study of the causes of mesothelioma help doctors make diagnoses faster and accurately. This allows mesothelioma sufferers to receive treatment earlier and improve their outcome. Understanding other mesothelioma risks is important to help prevent mesothelioma in the future. The use of talcum can result in more women developing peritoneal cancer. By educating the public on mesothelioma, we can decrease the number of people who are diagnosed with the cancer. This is important since mesothelioma is a cancer that can cause symptoms that can be delayed for up to 50 years.

Genetics

If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma you must consult a doctor. Early treatment can give patients the best chance of survival. While asbestos exposure is the most common mesothelioma trigger however, research continues to discover other risk factors, such as talcum powder and SV40. Knowing these risks and avoiding them will help to prevent the occurrence of more cases of mesothelioma.

Asbestos is one of the fibrous minerals which were used extensively throughout the 20th century in various commercial, industrial and military applications. Its durability and fire resistance made it popular with manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos became evident and were documented by researchers, leading to its phase out. The people who were exposed to asbestos while at work are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes miners factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and installers, railroad workers auto manufacturers, ship builders and others who worked with or wore clothes contaminated with asbestos.

Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lining of the lungs (the pleura) and are irritation and eventually grow into tumors. The symptoms of mesothelioma can take a while to show up, however they usually become advanced by the time that they begin to manifest. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and chest pain, or heaviness, and fluid accumulation in the lungs.

Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous mutations in cells. These are due to asbestos exposure, but many researchers believe that the genes of a person also play an important role. Researchers have discovered a gene named BAP 1, which is located on the short arm chromosome 3, that causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene while studying mesothelioma outbreaks in two U.S. families with Swiss ancestry. Every member of the family who developed mesothelioma carried this mutated gene.

Genetics is just one part of the mesothelioma puzzle however, it's an essential one. A small proportion of people who experience asbestos litigation exposure develop mesothelioma, which suggests a person's genes are also in play. The genes that suppress tumors appear to be mutated in most mesothelioma sufferers. As research continues this gene will be examined and understood more completely to prevent 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 need regular screening for mesothelioma-related symptoms.