Mesothelioma - what causes mesothelioma lung cancer Causes Mesothelioma?

As with all cancers, the symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other cancers. Early diagnosis and treatment can enhance the prognosis of a patient.

Asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a class of minerals that can break up into thin, long fibers. Inhaling or ingestion of them asbestos fibers may be trapped in the lining of specific organs.

Exposure to Asbestos

The exposure to asbestos is the most known cause of Mesothelioma. Asbestos is an naturally occurring mineral that consists of strong, microscopic fibers. It was extensively employed in vehicles, buildings, and dozens other construction products between the 1930s and the beginning of the 1980s because it was invulnerable to fire, water and sound. The manufacturers of asbestos-based products were aware about the dangers to health but didn't inform the public about it.

Those who worked directly with asbestos or handled products made from it were at the highest danger of exposure. Mining, asbestos removal, shipbuilding and other industrial jobs exposed workers to huge amounts of asbestos. Workers also came into contact with asbestos to asbestos through the use of household products, including shingles, pipes, glues, and talcum powder causes mesothelioma (www.koreafurniture.com) powder. Chrysotile asbestos is the most common kind of asbestos that is used in the United States. Other types of asbestos like amosite and crocidolite are also linked to mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma symptoms usually do not show up until decades after exposure to asbestos. When symptoms do show up the disease may quickly progress and be fatal. The lungs are the ones most commonly affected (pleural mesothelioma) however, it could also affect the stomach lining and heart, or the testicles, or even your heart.

When asbestos fibers are swallowed or inhaled they adhere to cells that line the body's internal organs and tissues. In time, this leads to genetic mutations that can lead to cancer. The cells that have been altered grow uncontrollably and develop tumors.

People who work in areas that have high exposure to asbestos have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who aren't. Men who worked in blue-collar jobs or serving in the armed forces are at greatest risk. Women who were exposed to asbestos may develop mesothelioma. This is especially true if their family members were exposed while at work.

Secondary exposure can happen when someone at risk of epithelioid mesothelioma causes is exposed to asbestos fibres on their clothes and other clothing. This is the case with spouses of those exposed to asbestos as well as hairdressers and ceramics workers. Certain studies have shown that a mineral that is similar to asbestos known as erionite can increase the risk of mesothelioma however, this hasn't been proven elsewhere.

Exposure to minerals

The cells that line the chest (pleura) the abdominal cavity, as well as other parts of the body undergo a change. Mesothelioma may also be found in the lining of the heart (pericardium) or testicles (tunica vaginalis). The condition is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, however there are other causes.

Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of strong microscopic fibers. It was used in construction materials, automobile brakes and various other products from the 1930s to the 1980s due to its resistance to water, fire and sound. Many people employed in the construction industry or military were exposed. Workers who removed and handled asbestos were at risk for breathing in asbestos-containing particles.

While the mesothelioma risk varies by job, any asbestos exposure increases a person's chances of developing the disease. Mesothelioma is associated with various occupations, but it most often affects miners, millers and shipyard workers and asbestos manufacturers. It has also been found in workers involved in the manufacturing of automobiles and aircraft, as well as those who handled or sanded insulation.

The onset of mesothelioma usually slow, but it can take between 20 and 60 years before symptoms begin to show after asbestos exposure. It is essential that everyone consult a doctor about mesothelioma, even if they haven't worked with asbestos in the past. The earlier the cancer is discovered the more straightforward it is to treat.

In the past, mesothelioma wasn't diagnosed until it had progressed. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, which is why doctors may overlook symptoms, such as persistent coughing or difficulty breathing.

Asbestos was eliminated in the 1980s. However, those who worked in the military or in the industrial sector prior to the time were still at higher risk of mesothelioma. Researchers have recently discovered new types of mineral exposure which increase the risk of mesothelioma. In Turkey for instance the mineral known as Erionite is found in the soil and is used to make materials. In studies of the local population that is heavily exposed to erionite, men are more likely than women to develop mesothelioma. In Italy the same phenomenon has been observed with respect to another mineral called fluoroedenite.

Genetics

Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects the mesothelium. It is most common in the lining of the chest cavity (pleura) however it can also affect tissues around the abdomen, heart and the testicles.

Doctors have linked mesothelioma to the mutation in the gene known as BAP1. This gene controls the process that releases calcium into cells. If it is altered, the person is at a greater risk chance of developing cancerous cells. Researchers have discovered that BAP1 mutants are found in 70 percent of mesothelioma patients. This discovery has made mesothelioma easier to diagnose and increased screening, particularly for people with a family history.

Researchers have also identified other genetic variants that could cause mesothelioma development. These mutations also helped mesothelioma experts understand the disease, and manage it.

While genetics influence mesothelioma however asbestos is the leading risk factor for the cancer. Certain asbestos-exposure victims do not develop cancer, however, others who have no genetic predisposition could develop mesothelioma after a long time. Secondary exposure, also known as paraoccupational exposure, may occur when asbestos-exposed coworkers bring home asbestos fibers on their clothing and skin.

In some instances, mesothelioma is found to run in families due to a mixture of asbestos and genetics. However, the majority of mesothelioma patients are random and do not appear to have any family history of the disease.

Asbestos-related mesothelioma is mesothelioma only caused by asbestos a serious illness. However research is continuing to make significant improvements in the treatment of patients as well as their options for recovery. Asbestos is banned in many countries, and scientists are working to improve mesothelioma treatment by using better drugs, more targeted surgery and a more effective diagnostic tests. To find out more about the latest developments, request a free copy of the Mesothelioma Guide. This comprehensive guide provides a complete list of treatment options for mesothelioma, including the most recent clinical trials and promising alternatives. Download the guide by filling out our online form or by calling directly.

Lifestyle

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the cells that line certain areas of the body, like the lungs or abdomen. The majority of cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining of the chest cavity (the pleura), but it can also be found in the lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum) and around the heart (the pericardium).

While asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma other factors, such as a person's age or gender, can increase the risk of developing the disease. Certain of these factors, like smoking or a person's gender, can be changed, while others, like the age of the person or Talcum Powder Causes Mesothelioma their family history are not.

Most mesothelioma patients have a family history of the disease, and a lot of them have had long-term exposure to asbestos in their work. People who are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma are typically older than 45 years old, and the majority of people suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma are over 65. This is because it takes mesothelioma years to develop, and the symptoms can start to appear as an older person.

There are several tests doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma, including a CT scan (computerised tomography), FDG-positron emission tomography (a test that uses a radioactive substance to assess how the cancer what is mesothelioma cancer caused from growing) and biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of a tiny piece of tissue to be examined under the microscope. It can be done using VATS or a type of keyhole procedure or a CT scan-guided needle.

Doctors are able to test blood for a genetic variant known as BAP1. This is a mutation in the gene that inhibits the growth of tumors and makes a person more susceptible to developing malignancies caused by environmental toxins. This mutation increases the risk of developing mesothelioma in the case of relatively low levels of asbestos exposure. It also decreases the time to develop mesothelioma for those who carry this mutation. However, researchers don't yet know how widespread this mutation is in the general population, or whether it is preventable by lifestyle choices like being aware of exposure to toxic substances. This is an area of research that is currently in progress.