Mesothelioma - What is Mesothelioma Caused From?
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is aggressive, is usually caused by asbestos exposure. It typically attacks the organs' lining in the abdomen and chest.
Asbestos fibers are microscopic, spherical fibers which were used in construction for a long time. It takes around 20 years for mesothelioma develop following exposure to asbestos.
Exposure to Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of organs, primarily in the lung (pleura) and abdomen. It is a kind of malignant mesothelial cell cancer that may take 15 to 50 years after exposure to develop. Asbestos is one of the minerals with thin micro-sized fibers. It was extensively used construction material and for other products due to its resistance to fire, heat and chemicals.
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. Around 80 percent of mesothelioma sufferers were exposed at work. Mesothelioma is the most prevalent cancer among those who are exposed to asbestos, specifically those who deal with it regularly. People who do not have asbestos in their past but live near asbestos sites may be at risk. They could be exposed to asbestos through inhaling airborne particles or from bringing home dust on their hair or clothing.
People who have been exposed to asbestos can be diagnosed with mesothelioma symptoms at any time during their lives. These symptoms include shortness of breathing, chest pain and fluid in the lung. Mesothelioma usually takes between 30 and 50 years to develop after the initial asbestos exposure.
Asbestos can cause mesothelioma when asbestos fibers become stuck in different parts of the body. When mesothelioma not caused by asbestos become stuck in the lining of the lungs and cause pleural mesothelioma, it can be fatal. Asbestos fibers stuck in the lining (peritoneum) which is the stomach's lining, can cause peritoneal cancer.
People who were in the military are at greater risk for mesothelioma because all branches of the military used asbestos extensively on bases and in planes, ships, and vehicles. Veterans who worked in the Navy's engine rooms as well as gun turrets, electrical systems, and gun turrets, for example, are likely to have been exposed to asbestos. The most frequent mesothelioma forms are the pleural and peritoneal, but it can affect any body part. Patients suffering from mesothelioma should discuss their asbestos history with their doctor.
Exposure to Erionite
The condition is typically caused by asbestos fibres. In rare cases, the disease may have been linked to erionite - a mineral closely related to asbestos. Erionite is a kind of zeolite that's naturally occurring and is part of the same mineral family as asbestos, is either black or brown in colour. Erionite is dark brown or black color, and has needle-like fibers which can penetrate the lungs and lodge in the body. In a recent study researchers found that pleural mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the lung) was more common in villages in Central Anatolia, Turkey, where the erionite contamination was very high. The mesothelioma that is caused by erionite was triggered by inhaling the mineral's fine needle-like fibers.
The researchers compared erionite with asbestos and concluded that it was significantly more mesotheliomagenic than any of the asbestos-related minerals. They also examined the pulmonary pathology of patients from these villages and discovered that the disease was linked to Erionite, not asbestos. Mesothelioma symptoms include breathlessness, fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) weight loss and a decrease in appetite and a blockage in the intestines due to the accumulation of fluid.
Erionite was not well-known as a mesothelioma threat in North America until recently because symptoms of the disease take several decades to show up. However, the discovery that many residents of western North Dakota have been breathing in erionite-contaminated gravel dust for decades has prompted concern about this new mesothelioma risk.
The erionite found in the southwest United States is a fibrous kind that's been extracted and used in road construction. It's also an ingredient in masonry mortar. The researchers' findings show that fine erionite dust particles can be released by machines into the air and become airborne when they dry. Air samples taken in North Dakota along roadside and inside vehicles were similar to or greater than concentrations in Boyali in Turkey, where erionite exposure was the cause of 6.25% mesothelioma-related deaths. As long as the erionite exposure in the United States is properly evaluated, experts can't say whether residents of the region are at greater risk for mesothelioma.
Exposure to Radiation
Radiation is a type of energy that is released by atoms that can move through the body in waves or as particles. Some types of radiation, for instance high-energy X-rays, which are used to diagnose pulmonary a mesothelioma, or chest CT scans of patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma can cause cancer. Inhaling radioactive particles can increase a patient's risk of developing mesothelioma. These particles are more likely to be discovered in the lung. Doctors may also use low-dose radiotherapy to treat mesothelioma in patients suffering from pleural forms of the disease.
Mesothelioma may develop in the lining surrounding the stomach organs (peritoneum) or in the lining that surrounds the lung. It is typically malignant and is detectable at any stage. Stage 1 is a localized condition it affects only that area of the mesothelium where it first began. However, Stage 4 mesothelioma has expanded to other areas of the body.
Mesothelioma symptoms include chest or abdominal discomfort coughing, breathing difficulties and difficulty. The symptoms may not be apparent until the cancer reaches an advanced stage, when it is easier for doctors to recognize it. Patients with mesothelioma experience a variety of symptoms, including shortness of breathe and weight loss, as well as fatigue. The lungs are the most affected, but it may also affect the brain, the heart, and other organs.
The treatment for mesothelioma includes radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. A doctor can determine the most effective treatment for a patient by looking at mesothelioma, determining the staging of the cancer and taking into consideration genetics.
Smoking or having relatives who have the disease can increase the risk of having mesothelioma. About one percent of mesothelioma cases are genetic which means that the cancer is passed from parents to children through genes. Doctors may use the background of a patient's family to determine the best tests for them. Some common tests include MRI which makes use of radio waves and powerful magnets to make detailed images of soft tissues in the body, and the positron emission tomography (PET) which injects a small amount of the compound that is radioactive and then takes photos of cancer cells. The cancerous cells absorb the radioactive compound and show more clearly than the surrounding tissue on the pictures.
Genetics
Many cancers have a genetic connection that's why it's crucial to know your family background. It will help doctors determine any genes or mutations that make you more likely to develop mesothelioma. But, the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is the exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma develops by asbestos fibers that penetrate cells and disrupt the normal DNA balance. As a result, mesothelial cells start multiplying in uncontrolled ways and form groups that form tumors. This is why mesothelioma affects so many organs.
Mesothelioma is treated by doctors through chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Treatment depends on the type of cancer, the site it started and whether the cancer has progressed.
X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect signs of mesothelioma. For instance, an accumulation of calcium on the lung lining or fluid in the chest cavity. Doctors can also conduct blood tests to determine whether cancerous cells are growing and whether they've spread.
Mesothelioma may begin in the tissue that covers your lung tissue (pleural mesothelioma) or in the tissues around the organs that are located in your abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). It's also possible to develop both peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma at the same time.
The most popular treatment for mesothelioma is surgery such as the pleural biopsy or pleural pleurectomy, or targeted therapies, like immunotherapy. Some patients may be more responsive to drug therapies or chemotherapy.
Lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma are able to aid patients receive the compensation they deserve. These funds can be used to pay for funeral expenses, medical bills, and other costs that are associated with the disease.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma it is crucial to speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer right now. Our team can help you determine if you qualify to file a lawsuit against mesothelioma. We can also provide you with the most effective legal representation. We offer free consultations with no obligation. Contact us today or fill out the contact form on this page to find out more about our services. We serve clients nationwide.