Causes of Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos
While asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma however, it has been linked to other factors like erionite, SV40 and radiation. Understanding these other causes can aid doctors in diagnosing and identifying the disease early.
Asbestos fibers may get lodged in the linings of the chest cavity when people breathe them in. The needle-like fibres can damage mesothelial cell DNA and cause mesothelioma tumors.
1. Silica
Asbestos is by far the most prevalent cause of mesothelioma. Exposure to other mineral fibers, or to certain chemicals, such as asbestos in the peritoneal area, can cause mesothelioma. Silica, an element found in nature in the form of crystals and sand is one of those chemicals. People who work with silica for construction, mining or hydraulic fracturing may be exposed to airborne particle of this chemical. The particles can be breathed deeply into the lungs, where they may irritate the lung tissue. The irritation may cause cancer by altering the DNA of nearby cells.
Silica and asbestos exposure increases the mesothelioma threat. However, asbestos is the most significant cause of mesothelioma, and it isn't as common for people to develop mesothelioma of the peritoneal region because of silica exposure.
The majority of people with a mesothelioma background were exposed to asbestos while at work. Asbestos fibers were introduced to the workplace due to the asbestos used in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, shipbuilding and construction. When asbestos fibers were released into the air workers in these industries breathed them in or ingested the fibers through clothing and equipment. Workers carried the fibers home on their clothes and exposed their families as well, creating secondary exposure.
When the asbestos fibers were deposited in the body, they got trapped in the mesothelium lining that covers the lungs and various organs. The needle-like particles caused irritation to tissues for years, until the DNA of nearby cell changed and cancer developed. The symptoms of mesothelioma may take up to 60 years before they appear.
The best way to avoid mesothelioma is to stay clear of asbestos exposure. Follow the safety guidelines for your workplace and report any potential asbestos-related dangers. Do not bring any work clothing or equipment that could contain asbestos. It is important to engage an asbestos removal professional who is certified to test your home for hazardous materials. Avoid purchasing antique or vintage items that might have been made of asbestos. You can also purchase talc-free cosmetics and personal care products. People who have an asbestos-related history should talk to their doctor regarding mesothelioma screening.
2. Erionite
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral is used for many industrial applications before it was banned. When medical and scientific evidence was discovered linking asbestos with mesothelioma, its use was discontinued. The connection was not fully understood until much later. Many people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos.
Other substances have been linked to mesothelioma. While asbestos remains an important cause, it is not the only one. One of these is erionite, a fibrous zeolite found in the United States. Numerous studies have demonstrated that mesothelioma-causing effects of erionite. The researchers have found that erionite increases the balance between cell proliferation (and abnormal DNA repair) and apoptosis, a normal mechanism of getting rid of proliferating or transformed cells.
It could take a long time for a person to develop mesothelioma following their initial exposure to the mineral. During this time it is often difficult to determine whether the disease was caused by asbestos or a non-asbestos reason for exposure. Additionally, mesothelioma often forms in lungs that have been previously damaged by other causes of lung diseases like asbestos.
Due to these limitations, it's important to carefully examine the medical history of a asbestos illness mesothelioma patient to determine if they were exposed either to asbestos or to erionite. This can be done through the examination of chest radiographs as well as CT scanners, and by analyzing biomarkers of mesothelioma, such as the presence of pleural nodules as well as plaques in the pleural region.
The most commonly encountered mesothelioma type is mesothelioma pleural, which affects the lining of the lung. Other types may be found in the stomach's lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma) and heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma are exposed to asbestos in their work, usually because they worked in industries that employed the dangerous material. However it is possible to contract the disease through secondhand exposure as well. Workers can expose their family to asbestos fibers by bringing them home on their clothing and equipment. This type of mesothelioma is typically less severe than the asbestos-related form of the disease.
3. Other Minerals
Asbestos, which is among the most dangerous substances in the world isn't the only cause of Mesothelioma. Other minerals like silica or erionite have also been linked to cancer. However asbestos is the most frequent culprit.
Asbestos can cause irritation to the tissues that are found in the chest cavity the abdomen, chest and testes, leading to mesothelioma tumors. Exposure to asbestos most commonly results from working with the material, particularly during building renovations and mining. However, even exposure to asbestos can cause the disease. People may also develop mesothelioma from the use of asbestos-containing products such as insulation and brake pads.
The process of mesothelioma causes is complex and involves multiple steps. First, asbestos fibers need to be dislodged from their original place. This is usually done during mining, construction of buildings and maintenance of vessels or vehicles. The fibers are then inhaled or ingested by workers, and they stick to the linings of the lungs and other organs. The cells which line these areas may transform and cause malignant tumors.
Most mesothelioma patients had an asbestos-related exposure history. 70 to 80 percent of cases are the result of past exposure. This is due to the fact that it takes between 20 and 20 years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Other factors, including gender, sex, age and sex, can increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma.
A family history of the disease can make it more likely that you will develop it. This is because families can inherit genetic mutations which make them more prone to certain diseases including mesothelioma.
While researchers have examined several possible mesothelioma causes and causes, asbestos is the most common. Some studies have shown that only a small number of mesotheliomas can be traced back to asbestos. This may be due to different study designs, differing opinions about what jobs require significant asbestos exposure and different methods of using asbestos from amphibole to chrysotile among countries. Additionally, mesotheliomas that are spontaneous account for a smaller fraction of the total mesothelioma patients than is currently documented.
4. Other Chemicals
Asbestos-related diseases are often caused by exposure to chemicals. Examples include silica, erionite and other chemical. While these chemicals don't cause mesothelioma directly, they can cause irritation to the mesothelium, which increases the risk of developing cancer. This is particularly so when mesothelioma cells undergo mutation. Symptoms of a mesothelioma diagnosis include chest or abdominal pain as well as breathlessness, and breathing difficulties.
Mesothelioma usually occurs as a result of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a grouping of strong, microscopic fibers that are extremely durable. Asbestos was widely used throughout the 1930s and into the 1980s in dozens of products due to its resistance to fire, heat and sound. The manufacturers knew it was toxic but did not tell the public.
Exposure to asbestos can lead to various mesothelioma types. The most prevalent type is pleural, which forms around the lungs. It can also develop in the lining of the chest wall (pericardium) or in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). A rare mesothelioma form, testicular mesothelioma, develops when asbestos fibers get into the lining of the testes.
Mesothelioma is the most frequent cancer among those who have been exposed to asbestos through environmental or occupational exposure. But mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos from secondhand sources through the handling of the clothing of a colleague or other materials at home. Some patients develop mesothelioma following radiation therapy to treat another cancer.
Mesothelioma is usually a slow-developing disease that isn't apparent until the later stages. Patients should be aware and speak with their physician if they experience any symptoms that are not normal or persistent. A mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand the signs and determine a proper diagnosis. Patients should ask their general oncologist for a referral to a mesothelioma specialist to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure they receive the best treatment.