Mesothelioma - What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos?
Asbestos is the only cause of mesothelioma. It can affect the linings of the lungs and abdomen (peritoneal msothelioma), and heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Other risk factors include radiation treatment for other cancers, genetics and asbestos-like minerals such as silica and erionite.
Asbestos fibers inhaled or ingested can irritate healthy tissues for decades before mesothelioma tumors develop. It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma cancer symptoms to appear.
Asbestos
Exposure to asbestos, a grouping of microscopic fibres often employed in construction, is the most common cause of mesothelioma. The majority of people exposed develop pleural (lung) mesothelioma. However, some have developed mesothelioma due to exposure to other materials, including silica, erionite, and zeolites.
The most common mesothelioma signs include chest pain, shortness of breath and an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). Mesothelioma also can cause abdominal pain, bloating and weight loss. There are a variety of mesothelioma such as peritoneal, pericardial and esophageal.
Scientists aren't able to pinpoint the cause of mesothelioma, but they do know that asbestos is one of the major factors. Exposure to asbestos is thought to trigger mesothelioma, creating abnormal growth of cells and produce cancerous tumors. Asbestos could also cause genetic mutations that can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma.
There is no cure for mesothelioma. However treatment can prolong life and improve the quality of life. In order to receive the most effective mesothelioma treatment patients should visit a doctor as soon as they notice any worrisome symptoms. Patients should inform their doctor if they've ever been exposed to asbestos. This will enable them to be tested for the disease.
People who are concerned about the risk of developing mesothelioma should be aware that they can consult a mesothelioma lawyer to learn more about compensation options. Compensation can help mesothelioma patients as well as their families pay for treatments and help them make ends meet.
The ideal situation is that everyone avoids exposure to asbestos in the future. But asbestos can still be found in a variety of older structures, especially those built prior to 1999. If you're dealing with asbestos-containing material it is essential to comply with safety rules. For instance, wearing protective clothing and breathing apparatus. To ensure that asbestos isn't disturbed, anyone who suspects they have asbestos at home should have it examined only by a certified asbestos inspection. Santa Maria asbestos lawyer can reduce the risk of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could still occur despite taking the proper precautions.
Silica
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the thin tissue layer that surrounds numerous internal organs. It is caused through asbestos exposure, however it can be triggered by exposures to other minerals like Erionite or silica. The most frequent mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma but it can also affect the linings of the stomach and testicles. Mesothelioma usually develops years after asbestos exposure, with many patients in their 50s or 60s.
The majority of people who develop mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos while at work and many were exposed to large amounts for a long time. Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring minerals that make up long thin fibers, which are very strong and withstand heat. It was extensively used throughout the 20th century for a wide variety of industrial, military and commercial applications. However, it was eliminated after scientists realized that it was hazardous to health. When it is cut or mined into pieces, asbestos produces dust that contains tiny fibers that can be inhaled. These fibers can become stuck in the lung and cause irritation, which can lead to mesothelioma.
The symptoms of mesothelioma typically are not evident until decades after exposure to asbestos, which makes the disease extremely difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can include breathing difficulties and coughing incessantly, chest pain or a lump in the chest or abdomen. The only tests that can confirm mesothelioma are those performed by a, and the majority of patients are directed to specialists after visiting their physician.
Asbestos has been phased out, but is still found in older buildings and homes. There are no cases of mesothelioma which has been associated with other substances. However, those who have been exposed silica and other minerals may be at risk of developing the disease. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is crucial to speak with your physician.
Erionite
Asbestos is the most common mineral that is linked to mesothelioma. However, it's not the only one. Other materials like erionite, one of the zeolite types, have also been linked to mesothelioma in a few instances. Erionite, as asbestos can cause mesothelioma when it is inhaled or eaten.
In the 1970s, an unusually high rate of mesothelioma developed in a number of villages in Turkey in which erionite-bearing rocks are found. In these villages, pleural mesothelioma accounted for up to 50% of deaths in certain households.
A team of environmental scientists and geologists together with mesothelioma specialists, surgeons, and doctors, worked to determine the cause of this rare lung cancer. They discovered that a few families from the Turkish village carried a gene mutation that made them vulnerable to mesothelioma that was caused by Erionite. The mutations were passed on from generation to generation. Other factors, like smoking cigarettes and exposure to other asbestos-related substances can also increase a person's risk for mesothelioma.
The mesothelioma triggered by erionite was most likely caused by long-term, heavy inhalation of the gravel dust containing the material. This was the case in rural areas, where mining and road construction were taking place. Erionite exposure in Dunn County, North Dakota has been linked with mesothelioma as well as other respiratory illnesses.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, can cause symptoms like shortness of breathe (dyspnea) and pain in the chest (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, and weight growth. Mesothelioma is a cancer that has no cure and it is often fatal when it reaches the stage of severe.
Asbestos has been shown to be the sole mesothelioma-causing factor. Researchers have found that people who've been exposed silica, Erionite, or other minerals could also develop mesothelioma. If you have mesothelioma or have been exposed to other forms of asbestos, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Mayo Clinic offers expert mesothelioma treatment. The health care team includes doctors and nurses who specialize in mesothelioma surgeons who carry out lung transplants, and experts in a number of other fields. They'll collaborate to develop an appropriate treatment plan for you.
Other Minerals
Asbestos is a natural mineral that has strong, flexible fibers. Asbestos can be breathed in by those who are in close proximity to asbestos when it is disturbed. The asbestos fibers are able to penetrate mesothelium, which protects the lungs and in the heart. The fibers trigger DNA mutations and tumors that develop over time. Asbestos exposure can happen in a non-work environment and also at work. Personnel in the military who handled or transported asbestos are at particular risk and so are civilians who are exposed to it at work. There are six kinds of asbestos. The most common are amphibole or chrysotile. Each type has various fibers that look like fragments and can enter the human body in different ways.
Asbestos-related illnesses can take many years to develop. The first signs are usually respiratory or abdominal problems. The condition can affect any part of the body, but it is most often seen in the lung (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma can also affect testicles and the linings of the intestines.
About 75%-80 percent of mesothelioma cases can be related to asbestos exposure. The majority of cases were caused by asbestos exposure at work, but some cases do not have an identifiable reason. This is because asbestos is utilized in a variety of products, exposing many people to the harmful substance. Asbestos can also be a source of exposure when renovating or restoring older homes. This is especially true after environmental catastrophes such as fires, tornadoes and hurricanes cause damage to structures that contain asbestos.
Those with suspected mesothelioma should arrange an appointment with their doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment can help improve the outcome of mesothelioma because doctors can identify the disease at a time when it is treatable. The more information doctors have about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, the better they are able to protect people.