Mesothelioma - What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos?
Asbestos exposure is the sole known cause of mesothelioma. It can affect the lung linings and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), and heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Other risk factors include radiation treatment for other cancers, genetics and minerals similar to asbestos such as silica and erionite.
Asbestos fibers inhaled, or ingested can cause irritation to healthy tissues for decades before DNA damage causes mesothelioma tumours. Mesothelioma symptoms usually take 20 - 50 years to begin to appear.
Asbestos
Exposure to asbestos, a grouping of microscopic fibres that was once widely used in construction, is the most common mesothelioma-related cause. Most people who are exposed develop pleural (lung) mesothelioma. However, some people have developed mesothelioma due to exposure to other substances, including silica, erionite and zeolites.
The most common mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath and a buildup of fluid around the lung (pleural effusion). Mesothelioma can also cause abdominal pain, bloating, and weight loss. There are a variety of mesothelioma, including peritoneal pericardial and esophageal.
Scientists don't know the causes of mesothelioma, however they are certain that asbestos is a key cause. Scientists believe that exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma due to it causing cells to grow abnormally, resulting in cancerous tumors. Asbestos may also cause genetic mutations that can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma.
While there is no cure for mesothelioma but treatment can help prolong a person's life and improve their quality of life. Patients should see a physician immediately if they experience alarming symptoms. They should tell their doctor if they've ever been exposed to asbestos. This will allow them to be examined for the disease.
If you are worried about the possibility of developing mesothelioma, you can talk to a mesothelioma lawyer to learn more about the possibilities of compensation. Compensation can help those suffering from mesothelioma as well as their families pay for treatment and make the ends meet.
Ideally, everyone can avoid exposure to asbestos in the near future. Many older buildings, especially those built before 1999, still contain asbestos. Anyone who is in possession of asbestos-containing materials must follow proper safety regulations including wearing protective clothing and breathing apparatus. To ensure that asbestos isn't disturbed, anyone who suspects they have asbestos in their home must have it examined only by an accredited asbestos inspection. This will reduce the risk of mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related illnesses. However, it is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may still occur even with proper precautions.
Silica
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the thin tissue layer that surrounds many internal organs. It is caused primarily by asbestos exposure, but can also be caused by exposure to other minerals such as Erionite and silica. The most frequent type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, but it can also affect the stomach lining and testicles. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed years after exposure to asbestos, with patients usually in their 50s and 60s.
The majority of people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos at work and the majority were exposed to large quantities for a long time. Asbestos is a collection of minerals that naturally occur and create long, thin fibers. They are strong and resistant to heat. It was widely utilized throughout the 20th Century in a variety of commercial, industrial and military applications. However, it was phased-out after scientists realized that it was harmful to health. When it is cut or mined and sanded, asbestos forms dust with tiny fibers that are inhaled. The fibers can get stuck in the lungs, creating irritation that can lead to mesothelioma.
The signs of mesothelioma do not always apparent until years after exposure to asbestos, making it difficult to identify. It can be a sign of difficulty breathing or coughing for a long time, chest pain or a lump on the abdomen or chest. Mesothelioma can only be diagnosed by a test, and the majority of patients are directed to a specialist following seeing their GP.
Asbestos is no longer used, but it's still found in a number of older structures and household objects. While there are no known cases of mesothelioma caused by other substances but there is a possibility that people who have been exposed to silica or other types of mineral could develop the disease. If you have any of these symptoms, it is essential to speak with your doctor.
Harlingen asbestos lawyer
While asbestos is the most commonly reported mesothelioma cause, it's not the only mineral linked to the cancer. In some cases other substances such as erionite (a kind of zeolite), have also been associated with the cancer. Like asbestos, erionite can cause mesothelioma if it is absorbed into the body, and is then inhaled or inhaled.
In the 1970s, an unusually high rate of mesothelioma developed in several villages in Turkey where erionite-bearing rock exists. In certain villages where up to 50 percent of deaths were caused by mesothelioma of the pleural region.
A team of environmental scientists and geologists, as well as mesothelioma specialists, surgeons, and physicians, worked to determine the cause of this rare lung cancer. They discovered that certain families from the Turkish village carried a gene mutation which made them susceptible to mesothelioma caused by erionite. The mutations were passed down from generation to generation. Smoking and exposure to asbestos-related substances can also increase the risk of mesothelioma.
The mesothelioma caused by erionite most likely resulted from inhaling heavy gravel dust containing this substance over a long period of time. It was prevalent in rural areas where mining and road construction was taking place. Erionite exposure in Dunn County, North Dakota has been linked with mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that causes symptoms like breathlessness (dyspnea), chest pain, swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite and weight loss. Mesothelioma is not curable, and is usually fatal once it develops to the stage of severe.
Asbestos is known to be the only cause of mesothelioma. Researchers have found that those who have been exposed to silica, erionite or other minerals might also develop mesothelioma. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or have had heavy exposure to other types of asbestos, get medical help as soon as possible. You can get expert mesothelioma treatment at Mayo Clinic. The health care team includes doctors and nurses who specialize in mesothelioma, surgeons who can perform lung transplants, and experts in many other fields. Together, they'll come up with the treatment plan that is best for you.
Other Minerals
Asbestos, a mineral which naturally occurs, is composed of flexible and strong fibers. When asbestos is disturbed, it becomes airborne and may be breathed in or consumed by those who are near it. The tiny asbestos fibers can penetrate the protective mesothelium in the stomach, lungs and the heart. As time passes, the asbestos fibers mutate DNA and cause tumors. Asbestos exposure can happen professionally and non-occupationally. People in the military who transport or handle asbestos are at particular risk and so are civilians who are exposed to it at work. There are six forms of asbestos, however chrysotile and amphibole are the most prevalent. Each type contains different fibers that look like pieces of wood and can be absorbed into the human body in different ways.
Asbestos-related diseases often take decades to develop. The first signs are typically respiratory or abdominal problems. The condition can affect the abdomen, lungs (peritoneal mesothelioma of the pericardial region) or the heart. Mesothelioma can also affect the testicles (ascitic mesothelioma) and the lining around the intestines (sarcomatoid mesothelioma).
Around 75% to 80 percent of mesothelioma cases can be related to asbestos exposure. Most of the cases were caused due to asbestos exposure at work, but certain cases do not have a clear reason. This is due to the fact that asbestos is utilized in a variety of products, exposing numerous people to the hazardous substance. Asbestos exposure can also occur when old homes are renovated or renovated. This is particularly true after environmental catastrophes like hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires cause damage to structures that contain asbestos.
If you suspect mesothelioma, arrange an appointment right away with your doctor. Early treatment can improve the outcome of mesothelioma since doctors can detect the disease when it is the most treatable. The more information doctors have on mesothelioma's causes as well as risk factors the better they are able to protect patients from asbestos exposure.