Causes of Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos
Asbest is the most common cause However, it has been linked with other factors such as SV40 Erionite, SV40, and radiation. Knowing the causes of these other conditions could aid doctors in identifying and diagnosing the disease earlier.
When people inhale asbestos fibers, tiny particles can be absorbed into the chest cavity. The needle-like fibres can damage mesothelial cell DNA and can cause mesothelioma cancers.
1. Silica
The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure. However exposure to other mineral fibers and certain chemicals can also trigger mesothelioma, especially peritoneal mesothelio. Silica, a mineral found in nature in the form of crystals and sand is one of the chemicals. Silica-based workers working in construction, mining or hydraulic fracturing could be exposed to airborne particles of this chemical. These particles could be breathed deep into the lungs where they could cause irritation to lung tissue. The irritation could cause cancer by altering the DNA of cells in close proximity.
Silica and asbestos exposure increase the mesothelioma risk. Asbestos is the most common mesothelioma cause, but silica is less likely cause peritoneal cancer.
Most people with a mesothelioma history 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. Workers in these industries breathed or ingested asbestos fibers from clothing and equipment when they were released into the air. Workers brought these fibers home with them on their clothing and exposed their families also, resulting in secondary exposure.
When asbestos fibers arrived in the body, they became trapped in the mesothelium layer of the lung and other organs. These needle-like particles affected tissues for a long time until the DNA of nearby cell changed and cancer developed. The symptoms of mesothelioma may take up to 60 years before they show up.
Avoiding exposure to asbestos is the best way to prevent mesothelioma. Be aware of asbestos-related hazards and adhere to workplace safety rules. Do not bring any work clothing or gear home that may contain asbestos. Hire a professional asbestos abatement to test your home. Avoid buying vintage or antique items that may be made by asbestos. Instead, purchase talc-free cosmetics and personal care products. Talk to your doctor about mesothelioma screening if you have an asbestos-related history.
2. Erionite
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was used in many industrial applications before it was banned. When medical and scientific evidence was discovered linking asbestos to mesothelioma, its usage was halted. The connection was not fully appreciated until much later. This is why many of the patients diagnosed with mesothelioma got the disease after being exposed to asbestos.
Other substances have been associated with mesothelioma. While asbestos is an important cause, it's not the only cause. One of these materials is erionite. It is a fibrous zeolite that is mined in the United States. Several studies have shown that exposure to erionite may lead to mesothelioma. Researchers have discovered that erionite increases a balance between cell proliferating (and abnormal DNA repair) and Apoptosis. This is a normal way of eliminating transformed or multiplying cells.
After the initial exposure to asbestos it could take several years before a person develops mesothelioma. It is often difficult to determine whether the disease was caused from asbestos or a different cause of exposure during this period. Mesothelioma can also form in lungs which have already been damaged by other lung diseases, such as asbestos.
Because of these limitations it is important to carefully examine the history of a mesothelioma sufferer to determine whether they were exposed to asbestos or erionite. This can be accomplished through the examination of chest radiographs and CT scanners, as well as by analyzing biomarkers for mesothelioma such as the presence of pleural nodules as well as plaques in the pleural cavity.
The most common mesothelioma type affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma). Other types can occur in the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma), testicles (peritoneal and mesothelioma testicular) and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
The majority of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos at work typically because they were employed in industries that utilized asbestos, a dangerous material. It is also possible to contract the disease from exposure from secondhand sources. Workers may expose their families to asbestos fibers by bringing them home on their clothing and other equipment. This type of mesothelioma is typically less serious than the asbestos-related type of the disease.
3. Other Minerals
Asbestos, one of most hazardous substances in the world, is not the only cause of Mesothelioma. Other minerals, including silica and erionite, have also been connected to cancer. However, asbestos is the most common culprit.
Asbestos can cause irritation of the tissues lining the chest cavity, abdomen and the heart, which can lead to mesothelioma tumors. The most common exposure to asbestos occurs from working with the material, particularly during building renovations and mining. Even exposure from secondhand sources can trigger the disease. Some people may develop mesothelioma after using asbestos-containing products such as brake pads and insulation.
The process that causes mesothelioma is complicated and involves a number of steps. The first step is to ensure that asbestos fibers be removed from their original location. This is usually done during mining, construction of buildings and maintenance of vessels or vehicles. Workers then inhale or ingest the fibers, which stick to the lining of the lungs as well as the abdominal cavity, and the peritoneum. Mesothelioma is a result of the cells that line these linings begin to transform and develop into malignant tumors.
Most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma had a history of asbestos exposure. 70 to 80 percent of cases are caused by previous 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, such as sex, age and gender can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma.
A family history of the disease increases the likely that you will develop it. This is because families may inherit genetic mutations that make them more susceptible to certain diseases including mesothelioma.
Researchers have investigated a variety of possible causes of mesothelioma. However, asbestos is the most prevalent. Certain studies have revealed that only a small number of mesotheliomas can be attributed to asbestos. This could be due to different study designs and differing views on which occupations involve significant asbestos exposure. It may also be due to differences in historical use of amphibole or chrysotile across countries. In addition, mesotheliomas that occur spontaneously make up a smaller percentage of mesothelioma patients than is currently known.
4. Other Chemicals
Many asbestos-related diseases are a result of exposure to a variety of chemicals. Examples include silica and Erionite. These chemicals might not cause mesothelioma, however they can cause irritation to mesotheliums, and increase cancer risk. This is especially true when mesothelioma cancer cells undergo mutation. Coughing, asbestos disease mesothelioma , shortness of breath and breathing difficulties are all symptoms of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is mainly caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a class of microscopic, strong fibers that are extremely robust. Asbestos was widely used in the 1930s to the 1980s in numerous products because it resists heat, fire and sound. The manufacturers knew that it was harmful however, they did not disclose the risks to the public.
Exposure to asbestos can cause various mesothelioma types. The most prevalent type is called pleural mesothelioma which develops around the lungs. It may also occur in the chest lining (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum). Testicular mesothelioma can be a rare mesothelioma form that occurs when asbestos fibers enter the inside of the testes' lining.
The people who are exposed to asbestos via environmental or occupational exposure have the highest rates of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is also a possibility in those who have been exposed to asbestos in the secondhand environment through the handling of the work clothes of another person or materials at home. Some patients develop mesothelioma following radiation therapy to treat another cancer.
Most often, mesothelioma symptoms manifest slowly and do not become apparent until it's in advanced stages. Patients should be on the lookout and seek out a doctor if any symptoms are not normal or persistent. A mesothelioma specialist will help them recognize the symptoms and get a proper diagnosis. Patients should request their oncologist to refer them to a specialist for mesothelioma so that they don't get misdiagnosed. This will ensure that they receive the best treatment.