Mesothelioma - What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos?
Asbestos exposure is the sole known mesothelioma-related cause. It can cause damage to the lung linings, abdomen (peritoneal msothelioma), and heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Other risk factors are the treatment of cancer with radiation genetics, genetics, and minerals that are similar to asbestos like Erionite and silica.
Asbestos fibers inhaled or ingested can irritate healthy tissues for years before mesothelioma tumors develop. It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma cancer symptoms to show up.
Asbestos
Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, a class of microscopic fibers that were previously used extensively in construction. The majority of people who are exposed develop pleural (lung) mesothelioma. However, some have developed mesothelioma due to exposure to other substances, including silica, erionite, and zeolites.
The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms include chest discomfort, breathlessness and a buildup of fluid around the lung (pleural effusion). Mesothelioma can also cause abdominal pain, bloating and weight loss. There are many types of mesothelioma including peritoneal, pericardial and esophageal.
Scientists aren't able to pinpoint the cause of mesothelioma however they do know that asbestos is one of the main factors. Exposure to asbestos is believed to cause mesothelioma by causing cells to grow abnormally and produce cancerous tumors. Asbestos may also trigger genetic mutations that may increase someone's risk of developing mesothelioma.
There is no cure for mesothelioma. However treatment can prolong the life of patients and improve the quality of life. To receive the most effective mesothelioma treatment patients should consult an expert 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 diagnosed with the disease.
People who are concerned about the risk of developing mesothelioma need to know that they can consult mesothelioma attorneys (
frazier-washington.thoughtlanes.net post to a company blog) to learn more about compensation options. Compensation can help individuals with mesothelioma as well as their families pay for treatment and help make the ends meet.
In an ideal world everyone would be able to avoid asbestos exposure in the future. Many older buildings, particularly those constructed prior to 1999, still contain asbestos. People who have possession of asbestos-containing materials must adhere to the proper safety guidelines including wearing respirators and protective clothing. Additionally those who suspect that they have asbestos in their homes should have it checked by a certified asbestos inspector to ensure the material is not disturbed. This will reduce the chance of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. It is important to remember that
mesothelioma attorney may still occur even if you take the appropriate precautions.
Silica
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of internal organs. It is caused primarily by exposure to asbestos, but can also be caused by exposure to other minerals, such as Erionite and silica. The most common form of mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) however it can also affect the stomach's lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) or in the membrane that covers the testicles and heart (pericardial mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma usually appears years after exposure to asbestos, with many patients in their 50s or 60s.
The majority of people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos at work and many were exposed to high levels for a long time. Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring minerals that make up long thin fibers, which are extremely strong and withstand heat. It was used extensively throughout the 20th century in a variety of industrial, military and commercial applications, though it was phased out after scientists realized that it was harmful to health. When it is cut or mined, asbestos creates dust with tiny fibers that can be inhaled. Those fibers can become stuck in the lungs, creating irritation that leads to mesothelioma.
The signs of mesothelioma generally do not appear until decades after exposure to asbestos, making the disease difficult to identify. It is characterized by chest pain, constant coughing, breathing difficulties or an abdominal lump or abdomen. Only tests can diagnose mesothelioma and the majority of patients are sent to specialists following a visit to their GP.
Asbestos has been eliminated but it is still present in older homes and buildings. There are no cases of mesothelioma which have been connected to other substances. However those who have been exposed silica or other minerals could be at risk of developing the disease.
mesothelioma lawsuits symptoms can be very like those of other diseases If you are experiencing any of the above consult your physician immediately.
Erionite
While asbestos is the most commonly reported mesothelioma cause however, it's not the sole mineral that has been linked to the cancer. In some cases other substances, such as erionite (a type of zeolite) are also linked to the disease. Similar to asbestos, erionite could cause mesothelioma when it gets into the body and is inhaled or ingested.
In the 1970s, a remarkablely mesothelioma-related rate was observed in several villages in Turkey where erionite-bearing rock exists. In these villages, mesothelioma pleural was responsible for as much as 50 percent of deaths in a few households.
A team of environmental scientists and geologists along with mesothelioma experts, surgeons, and physicians, worked together to find the cause of this rare lung cancer. They discovered that a few families from the Turkish village had a genetic mutation that made them vulnerable to mesothelioma erionite-related. The mutations were passed on from generation to generation. Smoking cigarettes and exposure to asbestos-related chemicals can also increase the risk of mesothelioma.
The mesothelioma triggered by erionite was likely to be caused by long-term, heavy inhalation of the gravel dust containing the substance. This happened in rural areas where mining and road construction were taking place. In Dunn County, North Dakota Erionite exposure has been associated with mesothelioma and various respiratory illnesses.
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, can cause symptoms like breathlessness (dyspnea) and pain in the chest (pleural effusion) loss of appetite and weight gain. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can cause symptoms like shortness of breath (dyspnea), chest pain, fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), and loss of appetite as well as weight loss.
Asbestos is the only proven cause of mesothelioma. However, researchers have found that those who have been exposed to different types of minerals such as silica and Erionite can develop mesothelioma well. Seek medical attention as soon as you can if you have
mesothelioma lawsuit or have been exposed to other types asbestos. You can receive expert mesothelioma care at Mayo Clinic. The health care team includes doctors and nurses who specialize in mesothelioma, surgeons who perform lung transplants, and experts in many other areas. Together, they'll develop an appropriate treatment plan that's best for you.
Other Minerals
Asbestos, which occurs naturally, is made of strong and flexible fibers. When asbestos is disturbed it becomes airborne and can 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 heart. As time passes, the asbestos fibers alter DNA and cause tumors. Asbestos exposure can occur both occupationally and non-occupationally. Personnel in the military who handled or transported asbestos are especially at risk and so are civilians who are exposed to asbestos at work. There are six kinds of asbestos, however amphibole and chrysotile are most prevalent. Each type has different types of fibers that resemble splinter and can be absorbed into the body in various ways.
Asbestos-related illnesses can take many years to develop. The earliest symptoms usually include respiratory or abdominal issues. The condition can affect the abdomen, lungs (peritoneal mesothelioma pericardial) or the heart. Mesothelioma could also affect the testicles (ascitic mesothelioma) and the lining that surrounds the intestines (sarcomatoid mesothelioma).
Around 75% to 80% mesothelioma is related to exposure to asbestos. The majority of cases are caused by exposure to asbestos at work, but some cases have no identifiable reason. The asbestos used in many products has exposed many people to the hazardous material. Asbestos is also a risk when renovating or restoring old homes. This is especially relevant when environmental catastrophes such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and fires cause damage to structures that contain asbestos.
If you suspect mesothelioma, make an immediate appointment with your physician. Early treatment improves the outcomes of mesothelioma, as doctors can identify the disease at the time it is the most manageable. The more doctors know about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure more effectively they are in a position to protect their patients.