Mesothelioma - What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos?

Asbestos exposure is only the one known cause of mesothelioma. It affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Other risk factors include radiation therapy for other cancers, genetics and minerals similar to asbestos like silica and erionite.

Asbestos fibers inhaled or swallowed may cause irritation to healthy tissue for years before damage to DNA of cells causes mesothelioma tumors. 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 the construction industry. The majority of people who are exposed to asbestos develop the pleural (lung) mesothelioma. Some patients have developed mesothelioma due to exposure to other substances like erionite and silica.

The most common mesothelioma symptoms include chest discomfort, breathlessness and the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). Mesothelioma also can cause abdominal pain, bloating and weight loss. There are many types of mesothelioma, including peritoneal pericardial and esophageal.

Scientists don't know what causes mesothelioma however they do know that asbestos is among the major causes. Exposure to asbestos is believed to trigger mesothelioma, making cells grow abnormally and produce cancerous tumors. Asbestos also causes genetic mutations that may increase the risk of acquiring the disease.

There is no cure for mesothelioma. However treatment can prolong the life of patients and improve quality of life. To get the best mesothelioma treatment, patients should see an expert as soon as they notice any worrisome symptoms. They should inform their doctor about previous exposure to asbestos so that they can be examined for mesothelioma.

Anyone who is concerned about their risk of mesothelioma need to know that they can consult mesothelioma lawyers to find out more about compensation options. Compensation can help patients with mesothelioma as well as their families pay for treatment and help make ends meet.

Ideally, everyone can avoid exposure to asbestos in the future. But asbestos can still be found in a variety of older structures, especially those built prior to 1999. If you are dealing with asbestos-containing materials it is essential to comply with safety rules. For example, wearing protective clothing and using breathing apparatus. To ensure that asbestos isn't disturbed and anyone who suspects that they have asbestos at home should be inspected by a certified asbestos inspection. This will reduce the risk of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. However, it is important to remember that mesothelioma could still be a problem even with the right precautions.

Silica

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that surrounds most internal organs. It is triggered by asbestos exposure, but can be triggered by exposure to other minerals like silica or Erionite. The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma pleural, but it can also affect the linings of the stomach and testicles. Mesothelioma usually appears years after exposure to asbestos and many patients are in their 50s or 60s.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos at work, and many of them for a long time. Asbestos is one of the naturally occurring minerals that make up long, thin fibers that are extremely strong and resistant to heat. It was widely employed throughout the 20th century in a variety of commercial, industrial and military applications. However it was eliminated after scientists realized it could be harmful to health. When it is cut or mined into pieces, asbestos produces dust that contains tiny fibers that are inhaled. Those fibers can become stuck in the lungs, causing irritation that can lead to mesothelioma.

The signs of mesothelioma do not always apparent until years after exposure to asbestos, making it difficult to recognize. The symptoms can include breathing difficulties and coughing incessantly, chest pain or a lump that appears in the abdomen or chest. Only tests can diagnose mesothelioma and the majority of patients are directed to specialists after visiting their primary care physician.

Asbestos is no longer in use however it is still present in a number of older structures and household objects. There are no mesothelioma cases that has been linked to other substances. However, those who have been exposed silica or other minerals could be at risk of developing the disease. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to consult your doctor.

Erionite

While asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause however, it's not the sole mineral that has been linked to the cancer. In certain instances other substances, such as erionite (a form of zeolite) are also linked to the cancer. Similar to asbestos, erionite could cause mesothelioma when it gets into the body and is inhaled or ingested.

In the 1970s, an unusually high rate of mesothelioma developed in several villages in Turkey where erionite-bearing rock exists. In these villages, mesothelioma pleural accounted for up to 50% of deaths in some households.

A team of geologists, environmental scientists and mesothelioma specialists as well as surgeons and physicians worked to determine the cause of this unique lung cancer. They discovered that certain families from the Turkish village had a genetic mutation that made them vulnerable to mesothelioma related to erionite. The mutations were passed down from generation to generation. Smoking and exposure to asbestos-related chemicals can increase the risk of mesothelioma.

The mesothelioma triggered by erionite probably resulted from inhaling heavy gravel dust containing this material over a long time. It was prevalent in rural areas in which mining and road construction took place. Erionite exposure in Dunn County, North Dakota has been linked to mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that causes symptoms such as breathlessness (dyspnea) chest pain, fluid in the lung (pleural effusion) and loss of appetite and weight loss. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can cause symptoms like shortness of breath (dyspnea) chest pain and chest pain, as well as fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), and loss of appetite as well as weight loss.

Asbestos has been proven to be the sole mesothelioma-causing factor. However, researchers have discovered that those who have been exposed to different types of minerals like silica or Erionite could develop mesothelioma as well. Seek medical attention as soon as you can if you have mesothelioma lawsuits, or have been exposed to other forms of asbestos. You can receive professional mesothelioma treatments at Mayo Clinic. The health care team includes nurses and doctors who specialize in mesothelioma, surgeons who perform lung transplants, as well as experts in many other fields. They'll work together to create the best treatment plan for you.

Other Minerals

Asbestos is a natural mineral with fibrous, strong fibers. Asbestos can be breathed in by those who are in close proximity to asbestos if it gets disturbed. The asbestos fibers are able to penetrate the protective mesothelium in the lungs and in the heart. Over time, the fibers mutate DNA and cause tumors. Asbestos can be a source of exposure in the workplace and outside of it. Asbestos poses a significant health risk for people who have worked in the military or transported asbestos. There are six forms of asbestos, however amphibole and chrysotile are the most common. Each type contains different fibers that look like splinters and can enter the human body in different ways.

Asbestos-related diseases often take decades to develop. The first signs are usually abdominal or respiratory issues. The condition can affect any part of the body, but it is most often affecting the lung (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma could also affect the testicles (ascitic mesothelioma) and the lining around the intestines (sarcomatoid mesothelioma).

Around 75% to mesothelioma can be traced to exposure to asbestos. Most of the cases were caused by asbestos exposure at work, however some cases do not have an identifiable cause. This is because asbestos is used in a variety of products, exposing numerous people to the dangerous substance. Asbestos exposure is also a possibility when homes that are old are renovated or renovated. This is especially true following environmental disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires destroy asbestos-containing structures.

Patients who suspect mesothelioma lawsuit need to schedule an appointment with their doctor as soon as they can. Early treatment can improve the outcome of mesothelioma lawsuit since doctors can detect the disease when it is the most manageable. The more information doctors can gather about mesothelioma's causes as well as risk factors the better they are able to protect people from exposure to asbestos.