What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos?
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer without a history of asbestos exposure. It is often associated with workplace exposure.
The majority of cases involve people who worked with asbestos, including electricians, ship builders and construction workers. Exposure to asbestos secondhand is also possible, for example in homes with old popcorn ceilings.
Exposure to Occupational Hazards
When asbestos is disturbed, tiny fibers are released into the air and are able to be breathed in. These irritate the delicate skin lining of the body which may cause scarring over time and then mutate to cause cancerous tumors. The most common mesothelioma type is a cancer of the lining, which affects the lung lining, abdomen and heart. Other types of mesothelioma may occur in different parts of the body, for example, the chest wall or testicles.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was once employed for insulation, construction and fire-resistant clothing. Its heat-resistant, acoustic and properties for insulation made it a highly sought-after building material. However asbestos is now banned due to its dangers. People who work in or near asbestos sites are at risk of exposure. This includes those who worked in mining, shipbuilding, asbestos-containing manufacturing and other industries as well as mechanics and veterans. Asbestos fibers can also be brought home by those who stay at home with their families.
The risk of mesothelioma increasing with exposure duration and severity. The diagnosis of mesothelioma generally occurs years after the initial exposure. Therefore, the majority of diagnosed patients are older than 50 years old. Researchers continue to uncover new risk factors, such as the use talcum powder.
Despite the association between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in certain instances, people who have been exposed to asbestos for a long time do not develop mesothelioma. This suggests that there are other factors that contribute to the development mesothelioma. These include genetics and other disease processes.
The DNA of healthy mesothelial cells informs them of the time to grow and divide. Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers alter the DNA. Mutated mesothelial cells then begin expanding uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors. These tumors may develop in the lungs' linings or in the heart. Mesothelioma affects both men as well as women. The pleural and peritoneal versions of the disease are more prevalent in women than men. This could be due to the fact that men were more likely to work with asbestos and carried the asbestos fibers to their homes on their clothing, while women more often had them in via other means such as secondhand exposure.
Environmental Exposure
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may make a patient wonder how they got this rare cancer. It is essential for patients to explore potential exposure sources with their healthcare provider. They may also need to consult a knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer. Legal professionals have the expertise and resources to assist their clients in identifying possible sources of asbestos exposure.
The most common mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. Researchers have also discovered other mesothelioma-related causes. This could be due to a person's genetic makeup and other environmental factors. Mesothelioma is a kind of lung cancer that affects the lung's lining, heart and abdomen. It is a rare and aggressive cancer that can be hard to treat. Avoiding exposure to asbestos is the best way to avoid mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral is utilized to make a broad range of products. Its fibrostic texture made it an ideal insulation material. It was used in construction, ships as well as hospitals, schools, and even in homes. Many industrial and domestic products were asbestos-containing, including drywall paints, pipes and paints tiles, insulation and cement. The most common asbestos type was chrysotile, which is associated with a higher risk of mesothelioma.
Inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers is the main cause mesothelioma. The fibers are swallowed or breathed into the body and cause irritation to the mesothelium for a long time until they damage cell DNA and trigger tumor growth. The result is malignant mesothelioma.
The people who worked in jobs in which they were exposed to asbestos and then brought back the asbestos fibers on their clothing or equipment are most likely to develop mesothelioma. This type of exposure is referred to as secondary exposure. Those who worked as plumbers electricians, carpenters, electricians or construction workers could have been exposed to asbestos at work and then brought it home with them on their clothes and tools. Other occupations that are known to expose people to asbestos include millwrights shipyard workers, asbestos abatement contractors and firefighters.
Other possibilities for mesothelioma's cause are SV40 exposure as well as radiation and a substance known as erionite. Research is continuing into these mesothelioma causes. Understanding more mesothelioma causes and risks can result in better treatment options for patients.
Genetics
There are many other causes of mesothelioma that are not related to asbestos. Other factors can make someone more or less susceptible to developing mesothelioma.
A type of non-asbestos mesothelioma occurs when someone inherits a genetic defect that increases their risk to develop mesothelioma. This mesothelioma type is called hereditary mesothelioma.
The SV40 virus is a different type of mesothelioma that is not caused by asbestos. The SV40 virus is a retrovirus that may cause mesothelioma to certain people. However, mesothelioma caused by is not a cause of mesothelioma in most people.
Secondary exposure to asbestos is the third reason for mesothelioma other than asbestos. This is when a person comes into contact with asbestos fibers or dust without being directly exposed to it in the workplace. This is typical for family members of cancer patients who have mesothelioma because the cancer patients carried asbestos home on their clothing or hair.
A small percentage of mesothelioma are due to germline mutations within the BAP-1 gene. These mutations may increase the mesothelioma risk due to asbestos exposure. However these cases are extremely rare.
Shortness of breath, abdominal or chest pain, fatigue, and weight loss are all indications of mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma may get worse over time and could be fatal.
Most mesothelioma patients have been exposed to asbestos in the past. It can take between 20 and 50 years for mesothelioma form, so it's very important to know the experience with asbestos exposure.
If you have any concerns about your past exposure to asbestos, talk to a doctor right away. They can help you determine whether or not your health is at risk and suggest further testing if necessary. It's important to get legal advice if been diagnosed as having mesothelioma. Asbestos victims are able to file claims for compensation from companies who exposed them to the harmful material. Our attorneys have experience in mesothelioma lawsuits and will assist you in obtaining the financial aid you are entitled to. Contact us today to begin.
Other Diseases
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma, however the disease can take decades to develop. Talking with your doctor is the best way to find out whether you're suffering from mesothelioma. If you have an history of exposure to asbestos or exposure to asbestos, your doctor will tell you more about mesothelioma dangers and signs and symptoms.
Mesothelioma is most often caused by breathing in or ingestion of asbestos fibres, however there are other risk factors as well. One of them is living with someone who has worked with asbestos, working at an establishment where asbestos was used, and having a family history of exposure to asbestos.
Inhaling asbestos fibres may cause mesothelioma by causing mutations in the cells that line the lungs, the heart or abdomen. The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural, which affects the lining of the lungs. Inhaled asbestos can cause peritoneal cancer which affects the lining of your abdominal cavity.
Men are more likely than women to develop mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that males are more exposed to asbestos while at work. Mesothelioma is also a disease that affects those who have been exposed through second-hand exposure to asbestos, like relatives of workers or those who brought asbestos into their homes on their clothing.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can be mistaken for those of other diseases which makes mesothelioma a challenge to diagnose. Asbestos-related mesothelioma is typically located in the lungs. However, it can also develop in the chest wall or heart the lining.
While asbestos use has decreased, it's important to be aware of your exposure history and risk factors. If you have mesothelioma, you could be qualified to receive compensation.
A risk factor is anything that increases the likelihood of developing a particular illness, like cancer. Most cancers result from the combination of risk factors and mesothelioma has many causes. Painters, for instance are more likely to develop mesothelioma, because some paints still contained asbestos until the 1990s. Similarly, a mineral called Erionite has been associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma in Turkey. Other studies have not proved this to hold true.