Mesothelioma – What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos?
Asbestos exposure is the only known mesothelioma-related cause. It can cause damage to the lung linings and abdomen (peritoneal msothelioma) and the heart (pericardial msothelioma). Other risk factors include radiation treatment for cancer genetics, genetics, and minerals that are similar to asbestos such as Erionite and Silica.
asbestos lawyer fibers that are inhaled or consumed can irritate healthy tissues for decades before mesothelioma-related tumors are caused by DNA damage. Mesothelioma symptoms generally take 20 – 50 years for symptoms to appear.
Asbestos
Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of microscopic fibers often used in the construction industry. The majority of people who are exposed to asbestos compensation develop the pleural (lung) mesothelioma. Certain people have developed mesothelioma from exposure to other substances like erionite and silica.
The most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma are chest pain, shortness in breath, and the buildup of fluid on the lungs. Mesothelioma can cause abdominal pain, bloating and weight loss. There are many types of mesothelioma including peritoneal, mesothelial, and esophageal.
Scientists aren’t sure what causes mesothelioma, but they do know that asbestos is one of the main causes. Exposure to asbestos is believed to cause mesothelioma by creating abnormal growth of cells and causing cancerous tumors. Asbestos also causes genetic mutations that can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma.
While there is no cure for mesothelioma treatment, it can prolong a person’s life and improve their quality of life. In order to receive the most effective mesothelioma treatment patients should visit a doctor as soon as they notice any worrisome symptoms. They should tell their doctor if they have ever been exposed to asbestos. This will enable them to be examined for the disease.
Individuals who are concerned about their risk of mesothelioma need to know that they can speak with a mesothelioma lawyer to learn more about compensation options. Compensation can help patients with mesothelioma and their families pay for treatment and help make enough money to live.
In a perfect world everyone would be able to be protected from asbestos exposure in the near future. But asbestos is still found in many older buildings, particularly those built prior to 1999. Anyone who is in possession of asbestos settlement-containing items should adhere to safety rules, like wearing protective clothing and breathing apparatus. To ensure that asbestos isn’t disturbed and anyone who suspects that they have asbestos in their home should have it examined only by an asbestos inspection certified by. This can minimize the risks of mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases. However, it is important to remember that mesothelioma could occur even with the best precautions.
Silica
Mesothelioma is a rare kind of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of internal organs. It is triggered by exposure to asbestos, but can also be caused by exposures to other minerals, such as silica or Erionite. The most frequent mesothelioma form affects the lung’s lining (pleural mesothelioma) however, it may be found in the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the membrane that covers the testicles and heart (pericardial mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma usually develops years after exposure to asbestos with many patients in their 50s and 60s.
The majority of those who develop mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in their work environment and the majority were exposed to high levels for a long period. Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that naturally occur and form long, thin fibers. They are durable and resistant against heat. It was widely used throughout the 20th Century in a variety of industrial, commercial, and military applications. However, it was phased-out after scientists realized that it could be harmful to health. Asbestos is a dust which has tiny fibers. It can be breathed in when it’s extracted or cut. These fibers can become stuck in the lung and cause irritation, which can lead to mesothelioma.
Symptoms of mesothelioma usually don’t manifest until years after exposure to asbestos, making the disease very difficult to diagnose. It is characterized by chest pain, persistent coughing, difficulty breathing or a lump on the chest or abdomen. Mesothelioma can only be diagnosed by a test, and the majority of patients are sent to a specialist after visiting their doctor.
Asbestos is no longer in use however it is still present in a variety of older structures and household objects. There aren’t any cases of mesothelioma which has been associated with other substances. However those who have been exposed to silica or other minerals could be at risk of developing the disease. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is crucial to speak with your physician.
Erionite
While asbestos is the most commonly reported mesothelioma-related cause however, it’s not the sole mineral linked to the cancer. Other materials like erionite, one of the zeolite types, have also been linked to the mesothelioma in a few instances. Erionite, just like asbestos can cause mesothelioma if it is inhaled or consumed.
In the 1970s, an unusually high rate of mesothelioma developed in a number of villages in Turkey where erionite is a rock that exists. In some villages, up to 50 percent of deaths were due to mesothelioma pleural.
A team of geologists and environmental scientists along with mesothelioma experts, surgeons, and physicians, worked together to determine the cause of this rare lung cancer. They discovered that certain families from the Turkish village carried a gene mutation that made them susceptible to mesothelioma caused by erionite. The mutations were passed down from generation to generation. Smoking cigarettes and exposure to asbestos-related chemicals can also increase the risk of mesothelioma.
The mesothelioma caused by erionite most likely resulted from the inhalation of heavy gravel dust containing this material over a long period of time. It was prevalent in rural areas where mining and road construction was taking place. In Dunn County, North Dakota Erionite exposure is associated with mesothelioma as well as other respiratory illnesses.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can cause symptoms like shortness of breath (dyspnea), chest pain, swelling of the lung (pleural effusion) and loss of appetite and weight loss. Mesothelioma is a cancer that has no cure and is usually fatal once it develops to the stage of severe.
Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Researchers have discovered that people 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 immediately. You can get expert mesothelioma treatment at Mayo Clinic. The health care team comprises nurses and doctors who specialize in mesothelioma surgeons who carry out lung transplants, and experts in a variety of other areas. Together, they’ll create the treatment plan that’s right for you.
Other Minerals
Asbestos, a mineral which occurs naturally, is made of strong and flexible fibers. When asbestos is disturbed it is released into the air and can be breathed in or consumed by people near it. The asbestos fibers enter mesothelium, which protects the lungs and the heart. As time passes, the fibers alter DNA and can cause tumors. Asbestos is a risk both in the workplace and out of it. People in the military who transport or handle asbestos are particularly at risk as are civilians exposed to asbestos at work. There are six types of asbestos, but chrysotile and amphibole are the most commonly used. Each type is made up of different kinds of fibers that resemble fragment and can enter the body in different ways.
Asbestos-related ailments can take a number of years to develop. The first symptoms typically involve 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 around the intestinal tract (sarcomatoid mesothelioma).
Around 75% to 80% of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure. Most of the cases are caused by exposure to asbestos at work, however some cases have no identifiable cause. The asbestos used in so many products has exposed many people to the hazardous material. Asbestos is also a risk when renovating or restoring old houses. This is especially true when environmental disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, and fires cause damage to 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 detect the disease at a point that it is treatable. The more doctors know about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, the better they are capable of protecting people.