Beware Of These "Trends" About What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos

Mesothelioma - What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos?

Asbestos is the only cause of mesothelioma. It can affect the linings of the lungs and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), and heart (pericardial msothelioma). Other risk factors include radiation treatment for other cancers, genetics, and minerals similar to asbestos like silica and erionite.

Asbestos fibers inhaled or ingested can cause irritation to healthy tissues for years before mesothelioma-related tumors are caused by DNA damage. Mesothelioma symptoms generally take 20 - 50 years to be noticed.

Asbestos

Mesothelioma is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, a class of microscopic fibers that were previously used extensively in construction. People who are exposed to asbestos most often develop pleural mesothelioma lawyers, which affects the lining of the lungs (the pleura). However, a few people have developed mesothelioma after exposure to other materials such as silica, erionite and zeolites.

The most common mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath and a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). Mesothelioma can also cause abdominal pain, bloating, and weight loss. There are many types of mesothelioma. They include mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, pericardial and esophageal melanoma.

Scientists aren't able to pinpoint the cause of mesothelioma but they do know that asbestos is one of the major factors. Exposure to asbestos is believed to trigger mesothelioma, causing cells to grow abnormally and to produce cancerous tumors. Asbestos may also trigger genetic mutations that could increase the risk of acquiring the disease.

While there is no cure for mesothelioma, treatment can extend the life of a patient and increase their quality of life. In order to receive the most effective mesothelioma treatment, patients should see a doctor as soon they notice any alarming symptoms. They should tell their doctor if they've ever been exposed to asbestos. This will allow them to be tested for the disease.

People who are worried about the possibility of mesothelioma lawsuits need to know that they can contact mesothelioma attorneys to learn more about compensation options. Compensation can help mesothelioma patients and their families pay for treatment and help them make ends meet.

In the ideal scenario, everyone can avoid exposure to asbestos in the near future. However, asbestos is still present in a lot of older structures, especially those that were built before 1999. People who have possession of asbestos-containing materials should adhere to the proper safety guidelines, like wearing protective clothing and breathing apparatus. Additionally, those who suspect they have asbestos in their homes should have it examined by an asbestos expert certified to ensure the material is not damaged. This will reduce the chance of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. However, it is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may occur even with the best precautions.

Silica

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of internal organs. It is caused through asbestos exposure, however it can also be caused by exposures to other minerals such as Erionite and silica. The most prevalent mesothelioma form affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) however it can be found in the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or in the membrane that surrounds the heart and testicles (pericardial mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after exposure to asbestos, with patients often in their 50s and 60s.

The majority of those who develop mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at work and the majority were exposed to large amounts for a long period of time. Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that make up long thin fibers that are extremely durable and withstand heat. It was used extensively throughout the 20th century in a wide variety of military, industrial and commercial applications, but it was eliminated after scientists realized that it was hazardous to health. Asbestos is a dust which has tiny fibers. It can be inhaled when it's extracted or cut. These fibers can get stuck in the lung and cause irritation which leads to mesothelioma.

The signs of mesothelioma do not always apparent until years after exposure to asbestos, which makes it difficult to recognize. The symptoms include chest pain, persistent coughing, difficulty breathing or a lump on the chest or abdomen. Only tests can diagnose mesothelioma and the majority of patients are referred to specialists after visiting their physician.

Asbestos has been phased out, but is still found in older homes and buildings. Although there aren't any known mesothelioma cases triggered by other substances however, there is a chance that people who have been exposed to silica or other types of minerals could develop the disease. If you have any of these symptoms, it is essential to speak with your doctor.

Erionite

Although asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause however, it's not the sole mineral that has been linked to the cancer. In some cases, other materials, such as erionite (a form of zeolite), have also been associated with the mesothelioma attorney (Imoodle explains). Like asbestos, erionite can cause mesothelioma once it is introduced into the body and is breathed in or inhaled.

In the 1970s, an unusually mesothelioma-related rate was observed in a number of villages in Turkey where erionite-bearing rock exists. In these villages, mesothelioma pleural was responsible for as much as 50 percent of deaths in some households.

A group of geologists and environmental scientists along with mesothelioma specialists, surgeons, and physicians, worked together to discover the root of this rare lung cancer. They discovered that a few families from the Turkish village carried a gene mutation which made them susceptible to mesothelioma that was caused by Erionite. The mutations were passed on from generation to generation. Other factors, like smoking and exposure to other asbestos-related substances, could increase the risk of mesothelioma.

The mesothelioma caused by erionite was most likely caused by long-term, frequent inhalation of gravel dust containing the material. This was the case in rural areas where mining and road construction took place. In Dunn County, North Dakota, erionite exposure has been associated with mesothelioma lawyer and various respiratory diseases.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that can cause symptoms like breathlessness (dyspnea) chest pain, swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion) and loss of appetite and weight loss. Mesothelioma has no cure, and it is often fatal when it reaches an advanced stage.

Asbestos is the only proven mesothelioma-causing agent. Researchers have found that people who've been exposed silica, Erionite, or other minerals could also develop mesothelioma. Get medical attention as soon as you can if you have mesothelioma, or have been exposed to other forms of asbestos. You can receive expert mesothelioma care at Mayo Clinic. The health care team includes nurses and doctors who specialize in mesothelioma surgeons who perform lung transplants, and experts in a number of other areas. They'll collaborate to design a treatment plan that's right for you.

Other Minerals

Asbestos, a mineral which naturally occurs, is composed of strong and flexible fibers. When asbestos is disturbed, it becomes airborne and may be inhaled or ingested by people who are around it. The asbestos fibers penetrate the mesothelium that protects the lungs and in the heart. Over time, the fibers alter DNA and can cause tumors. Asbestos exposure can happen in a non-work environment and also at work. Military personnel who handle or transport asbestos are especially at risk, as are civilians exposed to it on the job. There are six kinds of asbestos. The most commonly used are amphibole or chrysotile. Each type of asbestos has various fibers that look like splinters and can enter the human body in various ways.

Asbestos-related diseases often take decades to develop. The earliest symptoms usually include abdominal or respiratory problems. The condition can affect any part of the body, but it is most often seen in the lung (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma can also affect the testicles (ascitic mesothelioma) and the lining that surrounds the intestines (sarcomatoid mesothelioma lawsuit).

About 75%-80 percent of mesothelioma cases are related to asbestos exposure. Most of the cases were caused by exposure to asbestos at work, but certain cases do not have a clear reason. The asbestos used in many products has exposed many people to the hazardous substance. Asbestos exposure is also a possibility when old homes are refurbished or renovated. This is especially true when environmental disasters like fires, hurricanes and tornadoes destroy structures with asbestos.

Patients who suspect mesothelioma need to arrange an appointment with their doctor as soon as they can. Early diagnosis and treatment can help improve the outcome of mesothelioma, because doctors can detect the disease at a point that it is treatable. The more knowledge doctors have about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, the better they are in a position to protect their patients.