Mesothelioma - What Causes Mesothelioma?
Like other cancers, mesothelioma is difficult to identify because its symptoms can resemble other ailments. However, early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the chances of survival for patients.
Asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group minerals that can be separated into long, thin fibres. When inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers may be trapped in the lining of certain organs.
Exposure to Asbestos
Exposure to asbestos is the main proven cause of Mesothelioma. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral is composed of tough and microscopic fibers. It was extensively used in buildings, vehicles and a myriad of other construction products between the 1930s and the beginning of the 1980s because it was invulnerable to fire, water, and sound. The producers of asbestos-based materials knew that it was harmful to health, but did not inform the public.
The highest risk of exposure was for those who directly handled asbestos products. The workers in the mining of asbestos, shipbuilding, asbestos removal and other industrial jobs were exposed to large amounts of asbestos. Asbestos-containing products like shingles, pipes and glues, as well as talcum powder were used in the home by people who were also exposed. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used type of asbestos in the United States. Other types of asbestos like amosite and crocidolite are also associated with mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma symptoms typically do not appear until years after exposure to asbestos. Once they do, the disease can progress rapidly and can even become fatal. The symptoms are most commonly seen in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) but can occur in the lining of the stomach and testicles, or in the heart.
Asbestos fibres that are inhaled or consumed adhere to the cells that line internal organs and tissues. In time, this leads to genetic mutations that lead to cancer. The cells that are affected multiply uncontrollably and form tumors.
Workers in industries with a high exposure to asbestos have a greater chance of developing mesothelioma than those who do not. People who worked in blue collar jobs or who were in the military are at greatest risk. Women who were exposed to asbestos can develop mesothelioma, especially when their relatives were exposed at work.
Secondary exposure can occur when a person who is at risk of mesothelioma brings asbestos fibers home on their clothing and clothes. This has been the case with spouses of those exposed to asbestos and with some hairdressers and ceramics workers. Some studies have revealed that a mineral like asbestos known as erionite can increase the risk of mesothelioma however this has not been confirmed elsewhere.
Exposure to minerals
The cells that line the chest (pleura), abdominal cavity, as well as other body parts undergo a change. Mesothelioma could also occur in the linings of the heart (pericardium) or testicles. The disease is most commonly linked to exposure to asbestos, but there are other sources.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral composed of microscopic and strong fibers. It was used for building material, in automobile brakes as well as for a variety of other products from the 1930s to the 1980s due to its resistant to water, fire, and sound. A lot of people working employed in the construction field or the military were exposed. Workers who handled and removed asbestos were at risk for breathing in the harmful particles.
While the risk of mesothelioma varies by job, any asbestos exposure increases the chance of developing the disease. Mesothelioma is associated with a wide range of jobs, but it more often is a problem for miners, millers and shipyard workers as well as asbestos producers. It has been identified in those who work in the production line of aircraft and automobiles as well as those who sand or handle insulation.
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed slowly, however symptoms can appear 20 to 60 years after exposure to asbestos. It's important for everyone to talk to a physician about mesothelioma even if they've never had any experience with asbestos in the past. The earlier cancer is diagnosed the simpler it is to treat.
In the past, mesothelioma wasn't diagnosed until it had advanced. Because mesothelioma cancer is rare, doctors often overlook symptoms such as persistent coughing or difficulty breathing.
Asbestos was phased out by the 1980s. However mesothelioma is caused by exposure to who worked in the military and in the industrial sector prior to that time are still at higher risk of mesothelioma. Researchers have recently discovered new types of mineral exposure that can increase the risk of mesothelioma. In Turkey, for example the mineral known as Erionite is present in the soil and is used to make materials. In studies of the local population exposed to erionite extensively the risk for men is higher than women to develop mesothelioma. The same is the case with another mineral, fluoro-edenite in Italy.
Genetics
The mesothelium can be affected by this type of cancer. It is typically found in the lining around the chest cavity, but it can also affect tissue around the heart, abdomen and the testicles.
Doctors have linked the mesothelioma to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This gene controls the process of putting calcium into cells. If it is altered, an individual has a higher chance of developing cancerous cells. Scientists found that BAP1 mutants are present in 70 percent of mesothelioma patients. This discovery has made it easier for doctors to identify mesothelioma and increase screening for the disease, particularly in those with a family history of asbestos exposure.
Researchers have also identified additional genetic mutations which may cause the development of mesothelioma. These mutations have also helped mesothelioma experts better understand the disease and how to treat it.
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Genetics can be a factor. Some people exposed to asbestos do not develop cancer, but others with no genetic predisposition can develop mesothelioma during a lengthy period of exposure. Secondary exposure, or exposure to work, can occur when asbestos-exposed coworkers spill the fibers that are absorbed into their clothing and skin.
In some cases mesothelioma is seen to run in families due to a combination of genetics as well as asbestos exposure. However, the majority of mesothelioma cases appear to be random and do not appear to have any family history of the disease.
Asbestos-related mesothelioma is a serious and complicated disease, but research continues to make amazing progress in the treatment and recovery options for patients. Asbestos has been banned in many countries, and researchers are working to improve mesothelioma treatment with more effective drugs, more targeted surgery and a more effective diagnostic test. Download a free copy our Mesothelioma Guide to learn about how these latest developments can be beneficial to you. This comprehensive guide contains a full list of mesothelioma treatments, including the latest clinical trials as well as promising alternative treatments. The guide is available for download by filling out our short online form or by calling us directly.
Lifestyle
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the cells that line certain areas of the body, including the abdomen or lungs. The lining of your chest cavity (the Pleura) is where most mesothelioma cases begin. However, it could also start in the lining of the heart and abdomen (the Pericardium).
While asbestos exposure is the most significant mesothelioma risk factor, other factors, like the age of a person or gender, can increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Some of these risk factors, like smoking cigarettes or the gender of a person, can change, while others, like age or family history, are not.
Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma have an ancestral history of the disease, and many were exposed to asbestos for a long time in their jobs. People diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma typically over 45 years old, and the majority of patients with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region are older than 65. This is due to the fact that mesothelioma can take decades to develop, and the symptoms can begin to show up in an older patient.
There are several tests doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma, including a CT scan (computerised tomography) and FDG-positron emission tomography (a test that makes use of the use of a radioactive substance to look at the extent of the tumor's growth) and a biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue to be examined under a microscope. It can be done using VATS or a type keyhole surgery or a CT scan-guided needle.
Doctors are also able to test a person's blood for a genetic defect called BAP1. This mutation is located in the gene that inhibits the growth of tumors, and makes a person more susceptible to malignancies resulting by environmental contaminants. This mutation increases the chance of developing mesothelioma, even when asbestos exposure is relatively low. exposure. It also reduces the duration of latency for people who have this mutation. Researchers aren't aware of the extent to which this mutation is prevalent in the general population or if it is prevented through lifestyle choices like avoiding harmful substances. This is a field of research that is currently in progress.