15 Things You Don't Know About Causes Of Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos
Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
The tissue that lines the lungs and other organs may develop mesothelioma. People who get this cancer usually had jobs that exposed them to asbestos.
Asbestos is a group of minerals that form strong microscopically-sized fibers. It was used to create automobile and construction materials as it is invulnerable to heat, fire and water.
Workplace Exposure
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally was widely used due to its fireproof qualities before it was banned. Workers who handled asbestos regardless of whether they mined it or worked with it in factories, are at risk of mesothelioma. The highest risk is for those who have been exposed to large quantities of asbestos' microscopic fibers over a long time. Mesothelioma is usually not diagnosed until a long time after asbestos exposure. This is why the majority of mesothelioma cases are linked to occupational asbestos exposure.
If asbestos is disturbed, its tiny fibers are released into the air and can be breathed in or swallowed. These fibers can reach the thin layer of tissue which surrounds organs. This layer, known as the mesothelium, can develop mesothelioma cancerous tumors. Pleural mesothelioma is a tumor that develops around the lung and is the most frequent mesothelioma type. Other types of mesothelioma are mesothelioma that develops in the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma growing around the heart.
It can also occur in other parts of your body, if you inhale asbestos or ingest it in smaller amounts. It can be found in the testicles' lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the abdominal cavity's lining (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma usually occurs as a result of an injury to the mesothelium which is why it's difficult to determine if it was the result of occupational exposure or a different cause.
Some people with mesothelioma developed the disease from secondhand contact. Take-home exposure occurs when asbestos is carried home by workers on their equipment or clothing. In these cases, workers' clothing is often washed and cleaned by families, resulting in a greater exposure than expected. Certain studies have revealed that the use of an asbestos-like material known as erionite increases the risk of mesothelioma for those living near erionite deposits.
Other factors that can increase the risk of mesothelioma are certain medical treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy. These treatments can damage the mesothelium and lead to mesothelioma, however they aren't responsible for a significant proportion of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
A number of other factors can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma. Genetics, history of radiation therapy to the chest, and secondhand exposure are all factors that can increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma. A family history of the disease can also increase an individual's risk. However, asbestos remains the most common mesothelioma cause.
People who work directly with asbestos have the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. This is especially relevant for those working in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, asbestos mining and other related industries. When they break or disturb asbestos, those who work with it often breathe tiny asbestos fibers. The asbestos fibers can end up within the lining of the lungs, stomach and heart. The asbestos can remain in the body for a prolonged period and cause malignant mesothelioma tumors to grow.
Inhaling or swallowing these harmful fibers can cause mesothelioma pleural, peritoneal mesot and other forms of the disease. The symptoms can appear anywhere between 30 to 50 years after exposure. To determine mesothelioma, a doctor must first rule out other conditions that may be causing symptoms.
Exposure to asbestos has been proven to cause pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of cancer. After asbestos exposure, the risk of developing this kind of mesothelioma may decrease. The risk of peritoneal cancer continues to increase even after the asbestos exposure has ended.
Asbestos is a class of six naturally occurring metamorphic fibrous minerals. It is invulnerable to fire and heat and highly durable, making it a popular material for industrial, commercial and military use throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was widely used from the end of World War II and the mid-1970s. It was often found in ship insulation buildings, and car parts.
Workers who handled or inhale asbestos were the main group who diagnosed mesothelioma. However, there are some who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and do not have a history of occupational exposure to the mineral. These individuals were exposed to asbestos through other means. For instance, many wives of husbands who worked with asbestos brought home stray asbestos fibers on their clothes and skin. People who were vaccinated against polio in the 1950s and 1960s have been shown to be at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma too, due to the contamination of the polio vaccine with asbestos.
Environmental Exposure
While asbestos is the primary mesothelioma cause however, there are other factors that could be involved. These could be related to a person's age, gender, or genetics. People with a genetic predisposition to mesothelioma, or other health problems are at higher risk than people who don't have.
Most cases of mesothelioma result from asbestos exposure in the workplace. Workers with long-term, consistent exposure, such as miners or shipyard workers, are at highest risk. Many mesothelioma patients didn't work directly with asbestos. Second-hand exposure can occur when someone lives with someone who has been exposed to asbestos and breathes asbestos-containing air. This kind of exposure is common among spouses of those who handled asbestos.
Mesothelioma-related symptoms usually occur over time and differ depending on the type of mesothelioma person is suffering from. Everyone should be aware of the dangers they are exposed to and speak with their doctor if any symptoms are alarming or unusual.
Asbestos exposure can cause three types mesothelioma - abdominal, pleural and the pericardial. Pleural mesothelioma is a lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma affects organs in the abdomen, and mesothelioma of the pericardium is a common occurrence heart. The most common mesothelioma is pleural, and usually forms in the lungs. However, Bellflower asbestos lawyer may form in the abdominal cavity and pericardial mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart.
Researchers have discovered that other substances may cause mesothelioma too. Radiation therapy and Erionite (a mineral similar in appearance to asbestos) are among the substances that can cause mesothelioma. Additionally, a virus called SV40 and certain kinds of talcum powder can also cause mesothelioma.
The study of the causes of mesothelioma can aid doctors in diagnosing the cause more accurately and speedily. Patients with mesothelioma can receive treatment earlier and better their outcomes. Knowing about other mesothelioma-related risks is essential to avoid mesothelioma from occurring in the future. For instance the use of talcum powder may lead to more women developing mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. By educating people about mesothelioma, we can decrease the number of patients diagnosed with cancer. This is crucial because mesothelioma is a cancer that can cause symptoms that are delayed up to 50 years.
Genetics
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you must consult a doctor. Early treatment provides patients with the best chance of survival. While asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma but research continues to identify other risk factors, such as talcum powder and SV40. Knowing and avoiding these risk factors can help reduce the incidence mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a class of fibrous minerals that were utilized extensively throughout the 20th century in various commercial, industrial and military applications. Its durability and fire resistance led to it being a favorite among manufacturers. Researchers documented the dangers and established that asbestos was hazardous. Its phase-out followed. People who have been exposed to asbestos at work are at the highest risk for mesothelioma. This includes miners factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and installers, railroad workers and ship builders, auto manufacturers and others who worked with or wore clothes that was contaminated with asbestos.
As asbestos fibers inhaled settle in the lining (pleura) of the lung, and are affected. They eventually develop cancers. Symptoms typically take years to appear however, when they do, mesothelioma is already advanced. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and chest pain, or heaviness, and fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous cell mutations. These are due to asbestos exposure, but a lot of researchers believe that the genes of a person also play an important role. Researchers discovered a gene known as BAP 1 on the short arm of chromosome Three that leads to mesothelioma after studying mesothelioma epidemics in two U.S. families with Swiss origins. Each person in the family that developed mesothelioma carried this mutated gene.
Genetics is just one part of the mesothelioma equation, but it's an important one. There is a very small proportion of people exposed to asbestos develop mesothelioma. This suggests that genes play an important part. The majority of patients with mesothelioma have mutations in their tumor suppressing genes. As research advances, these genes will be investigated and better understood to help prevent mesothelioma. It is likely that those who are predisposed genetically to mesothelioma will also need to be more vigilant about exposure to asbestos, and will require regular screening for signs.