Mesothelioma - What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos?

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

Asbestos fibers that are swallowed or inhaled can cause irritation to healthy tissue for a long time before damage to cell DNA causes mesothelioma-related tumors. Mesothelioma symptoms usually take 20 - 50 years to begin to appear.

Asbestos

Mesothelioma is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, a class of microscopic fibers that were previously used extensively in construction. Most people who are exposed to asbestos develop pleural (lung) mesothelioma. However, some people have developed mesothelioma following exposure to other substances such as silica, erionite and zeolites.

The most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain, shortness in breathing, and a buildup of fluid on the lung. Mesothelioma can also cause abdominal pain, bloating and weight loss. There are a variety of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, pericardial and esophageal melanoma.

Scientists don't know what causes mesothelioma but they do know that asbestos is one of the major causes. Exposure to asbestos is believed to cause mesothelioma by making cells grow abnormally and to produce cancerous tumors. Asbestos also causes genetic mutations that could increase the risk of developing mesothelioma.

While there is no cure for mesothelioma but treatment can help prolong a person's life and improve their quality of life. Patients should see a physician immediately if they notice worrying symptoms. They should inform their doctor about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they can be examined for mesothelioma.

If you are worried about your risk of developing mesothelioma in the future, you can talk to a mesothelioma lawyer to find out more about the compensation options available. Compensation can help those suffering from mesothelioma as well as their families pay for treatment and make ends meet.

Ideally, everyone can avoid exposure to asbestos in the future. Many older buildings, especially ones built prior to 1999 still contain asbestos. People who have possession of asbestos-containing items should follow proper safety regulations such as wearing protective clothing and breathing apparatus. To ensure that asbestos isn't disturbed, anyone who suspects they have asbestos in their home must have it inspected only by an asbestos inspection certified by. This will reduce the risk of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. However, it is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may still occur even with proper 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 mostly caused by exposure to asbestos, but it can be caused by exposure to other minerals such as silica or erionite. The most common mesothelioma form affects the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma), but it can also affect the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or in the membrane that covers the testicles and the heart (pericardial and testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after exposure to asbestos, with patients usually in their 50s and 60s.

The majority of people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos lawsuit in their work environment and the majority were exposed to large quantities for a long period. Asbestos is a collection of minerals that naturally occur and form long thin fibers. They are strong and resistant against heat. It was used extensively throughout the 20th century in a wide range of military, industrial and commercial applications, though it was eliminated after scientists realized it was harmful to health. Asbestos is a dust which contains tiny fibers. It is a hazard to breathe when it is mined or cut. The fibers can get stuck in the lungs, causing irritation that can lead to mesothelioma.

The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not appear until decades after exposure to asbestos, which makes the disease extremely difficult to diagnose. It is characterized by chest pain, constant coughing, breathing difficulties or an area of lumpy tissue on the chest or abdomen. Only tests can identify mesothelioma and the majority of patients are referred to specialists after visiting their primary care physician.

Asbestos has been eliminated, but is still found in older homes and buildings. There aren't any mesothelioma cases that have been linked to other substances. However people who have been exposed silica and other minerals may be at risk of developing the disease. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to consult your doctor.

Erionite

Although asbestos is the most commonly reported mesothelioma-related cause, it's not the only mineral that is linked to cancer. In some cases other substances like erionite (a type of zeolite) has also been linked to the disease. Erionite, like asbestos can cause mesothelioma if it is inhaled or eaten.

In the 1970s a high mesothelioma rate was seen in villages in Turkey that contain Erionite. In these villages, pleural mesothelioma was responsible for as much as 50% of deaths in a few households.

A group of environmental scientists and geologists, as well as mesothelioma specialists, surgeons, and physicians, worked to determine the cause of this rare lung cancer. They found that some families from the Turkish village had a genetic mutation that made them vulnerable to mesothelioma erionite-related. The mutations were passed on from generation to generation. Smoking and exposure to asbestos-related substances could also increase the risk of mesothelioma.

The mesothelioma caused by erionite was most likely due to long-term, frequent inhalation of the gravel dust containing the material. This happened in rural areas, where mining and road construction was taking place. In Dunn County, North Dakota Erionite exposure is linked to mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that causes symptoms like shortness of breath (dyspnea), chest pain, fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite and weight loss. Mesothelioma is not curable, and it is often fatal once it develops to a severe stage.

Asbestos has been proven to be the only mesothelioma-causing factor. Researchers have found that those who've been exposed silica, erionite or other minerals might also develop mesothelioma. Get medical attention as quickly as you can if you have mesothelioma or have been exposed to asbestos of different types. You can receive expert mesothelioma care at Mayo Clinic. The health care team includes doctors and nurses who specialize in mesothelioma surgeons who perform lung transplants, and experts in many other fields. Together, they'll come up with the treatment plan that's best for you.

Other Minerals

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with fibrous, strong fibers. Asbestos can be inhaled by people who are near asbestos legal if it gets disturbed. The tiny asbestos fibers penetrate the protective mesothelium of the lungs, stomach and heart. The fibers cause DNA mutations and tumors that develop over time. Asbestos exposure can happen professionally and non-occupationally. Asbestos poses a significant health risk to those who have been in the military or transported asbestos. There are six types of asbestos. The most common are chrysotile or amphibole. Each type has distinct types of fibers, which resemble a fragment and can be absorbed into the body in various ways.

Asbestos-related illnesses can take a long time to develop. The first signs are typically abdominal or respiratory issues. The condition can affect any part of the body, however it most commonly affects the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma can also affect testicles and the linings of the intestines.

Around 75% to mesothelioma can be traced to asbestos exposure. The majority of patients had on-the-job asbestos exposure however, some have developed mesothelioma with no identifiable source. This is because asbestos is utilized in a variety of products, exposing many people to the dangerous material. Asbestos exposure is also a possibility when old homes are renovated or renovated. This is especially true after environmental catastrophes like hurricanes, tornadoes or fires damage structures that contain asbestos.

Those with suspected mesothelioma should schedule an appointment with their doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the outcome of mesothelioma since doctors can identify the disease at a point that it is treatable. The more doctors know about mesothelioma and asbestos settlement exposure more effectively they are in a position to protect their patients.