Mesothelioma - What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos?
Asbestos exposure is only the one known cause of mesothelioma. It can affect the lung linings, abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Other risk factors include radiation treatment for cancer genetics, as well as minerals that are similar to asbestos like Erionite and silica.
Asbestos fibers that are swallowed or inhaled can cause irritation to healthy tissue for decades before damage to cell DNA causes mesothelioma tumors. Mesothelioma symptoms typically take between 20 - 50 years for symptoms to appear.
Asbestos
Mesothelioma can be triggered by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of microscopic fibers that were often used in the construction industry. Lansing asbestos lawyer who are exposed to asbestos develop the pleural (lung) mesothelioma. Certain patients have developed mesothelioma due to exposure to other substances like silica and erionite.
The most common symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain, shortness in breath, and fluid buildup on the lung. Mesothelioma can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and weight loss. There are many types of mesothelioma. These include peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma and esophageal mesothelioma.
Scientists don't know what causes mesothelioma but they do know that asbestos is among the major causes. Exposure to asbestos is believed to cause mesothelioma by creating abnormal growth of cells and to produce cancerous tumors. Asbestos could also cause genetic mutations, which could increase the chance of developing mesothelioma.
Although there are no cures for mesothelioma, treatment can extend a person's life and improve their quality of life. Patients should consult a doctor immediately if they experience worrying symptoms. Patients should inform their doctor if they have ever been exposed to asbestos. This will enable them to be diagnosed with the disease.
If you are concerned about your risk of developing mesothelioma in the future, you can speak to a mesothelioma attorney to learn more about compensation options available. Compensation can help mesothelioma patients as well as their families pay for treatment and pay for their expenses.
Ideally, everyone can avoid exposure to asbestos in the near future. Many older buildings, particularly those built before 1999, still contain asbestos. People who have possession of asbestos-containing materials should follow proper safety regulations including wearing protective clothing and breathing apparatus. To ensure that asbestos isn't disturbed and anyone who suspects that they have asbestos at home should have it examined only by an accredited asbestos inspection. This can minimize the risks of mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases. However it is important to remember that mesothelioma could 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 usually caused by exposure to asbestos, however, it could be caused by exposure to other minerals like silica or erionite. The most prevalent form of mesothelioma affects the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) however, it may also affect the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or in the membrane that surrounds the testicles and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma usually appears years after exposure to asbestos and many patients are in their 50s or 60s.
The majority of people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos while at work and many were exposed to high levels for a long period. Asbestos is made up of a collection of minerals that naturally occur and form long, thin fibers. They are extremely durable and resistant against heat. It was widely used throughout the 20th Century in various commercial, industrial, and military applications. However it was removed when scientists realized that it was harmful to health. When it is mined or cut into pieces, asbestos produces dust that contains tiny fibers that can be inhaled. These fibers can get stuck in the lungs and cause irritation, which can lead to mesothelioma.
The signs of mesothelioma generally don't manifest until years after exposure to asbestos, which makes the disease extremely difficult to diagnose. The symptoms include chest pain, persistent coughing, breathing difficulties or a lump on the chest or abdomen. Only tests can diagnose mesothelioma, and the majority of patients are referred to specialists after visiting their primary care physician.
Asbestos is not used anymore, but it's still found in a number of older homes and household items. Although there aren't any known mesothelioma cases caused by other substances, there is a risk that those who have been exposed to silica or other kinds of mineral can get the disease. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor.
Erionite
Asbestos is by far the most popular mineral associated with mesothelioma. However, it's not the only one. In some instances, other materials, such as erionite (a kind of zeolite), have also been associated with the disease. Erionite, just like asbestos, can cause mesothelioma if it is inhaled or eaten.
In the 1970s a high rate of mesothelioma was observed in the villages of Turkey that contained erionite. In certain villages, up to 50% of deaths were caused by pleural mesothelioma.
A team of geologists, environmental scientists, mesothelioma specialists, surgeons and doctors worked together to discover the cause of this unusual lung cancer. They discovered that some families from the Turkish village had a gene mutation that made them vulnerable to mesothelioma triggered by erionite. The mutations were passed down from generation to generation. Other factors, such as smoking and exposure to other asbestos-related substances can also increase the risk of mesothelioma.
The mesothelioma caused by erionite was likely to be caused by long-term, frequent inhalation of gravel dust containing the material. This occurred in rural areas where mining and road construction were taking place. Erionite exposure in Dunn County, North Dakota has been linked to mesothelioma and other respiratory diseases.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, causes symptoms like shortness of breathe (dyspnea) and chest pain (pleural effusion) loss of appetite and weight increase. Mesothelioma is a cancer that has no cure and it is often fatal once it develops to an advanced stage.
Asbestos is the only proven cause of mesothelioma. Researchers have discovered that people who have been exposed to silica, Erionite, or other minerals could also develop mesothelioma. If you suffer from mesothelioma or have had heavy exposure to other types of asbestos, seek medical help as soon as you can. You can receive expert mesothelioma care at Mayo Clinic. The team of health experts includes mesothelioma specialists lung transplant surgeons, as well as other experts. 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 live near asbestos if it gets disturbed. The asbestos fibers penetrate the mesothelium that protects the lungs and in the heart. As time passes, the fibers alter DNA and cause tumors. Asbestos is a risk both in the workplace and out of it. People in the military who handled or transported asbestos are especially at risk, as are civilians exposed to asbestos at work. There are six kinds of asbestos, but chrysotile and amphibole are the most commonly used. Each type has distinct types of fibers, which resemble a split and enter the body in different ways.
Asbestos-related diseases often take decades to develop. The first signs are typically abdominal or respiratory problems. The condition can affect any part of the body, but it most commonly affects the lung (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma may also involve the testicles (ascitic mesothelioma) and the lining that surrounds the intestines (sarcomatoid mesothelioma).
About 75% to 80 percent of mesothelioma cases are related to asbestos exposure. Most of the cases are caused due to asbestos exposure at work, however some cases have no identifiable reason. This is because asbestos has been used in a variety of products, exposing numerous people to the dangerous substance. Asbestos can also be a source of exposure when renovating or restoring old homes. This is particularly true after environmental disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes or fires damage structures that contain asbestos.
Patients who suspect mesothelioma need to schedule an appointment with their doctor as soon as they can. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the outcome of mesothelioma since doctors can identify the disease at a point when it is treatable. The more doctors know about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, the better they are able to protect people.