Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos

Asbest has been the cause of asbestos exposure for millions of Americans. While this mineral is the leading cause of mesothelioma, other causes have been linked to the cancer.

Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma Lawyers fibers can cause mesothelioma when inhaled or consumed. The asbestos fibers may penetrate the lung's lining (pleura) or the lining that protects the abdomen (peritoneum).

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through blood and imaging tests. However, they cannot confirm mesothelioma if they don't have a tissue sample.

1. Exposure to radiation

Despite the many misinformations in the media, mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Even a minor exposure to asbestos could cause cancer in the lung's lining, the heart, and the abdomen. Radiation and other sources can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma. However, these are rarer causes of mesothelioma other than asbestos than asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is characterized by abnormal cells that expand and divide without order or control. The cancerous cells can eventually grow into tumors that can invade nearby organs and tissues. Mesothelioma cancer cells can also spread (metastasize) to distant parts of the body via blood vessels or the lymphatic system.

Asbestos exposure is the primary reason for mesothelioma and it is responsible for up to 80% of cases. mesothelioma asbestos lawyers is more common among those who have been exposed to asbestos while working in industries such as construction, mining, or the military. The exposure often happens by inhalation or ingesting asbestos fibers that can get lodged in the stomach or lungs.

Other risks for mesothelioma comprise having a family history of the disease and smoking. Asbestos workers carry asbestos fibers in their skin and clothing which increases the chance that their loved ones will be exposed the cancer-causing chemical.

Recurrences of mesothelioma are common when a patient has been through treatment for other diseases or cancers. Patients who have undergone surgery to treat chest cancers like pleuro-pleural or lung cancer are at greater chance of having a mesothelioma recurrence.

Mesothelioma can be diagnosed by physical exam and medical history, imaging tests, and other procedures such as a biopsy. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most commonly used treatment options for mesothelioma. Certain patients also receive targeted therapy or immunotherapy. The surgery involves removing cancerous tissues and any affected by them. Chemotherapy is a medication-based treatment that shrinks or kills cancer cells. The use of radiation therapy is to target tumors, preventing their growth or spreading. Immunotherapy, also called targeted therapy, is the process of using medications to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer.

2. Erionite

Mesothelioma is most often triggered by exposure to asbestos. However, there are other causes for this type of cancer. One of the most interesting is a mineral called erionite. It is a component of the natural zeolite mineral and has been proven to cause mesothelioma. This is a serious disease, and people who have been exposed to this substance should seek medical attention immediately.

Mesothelioma occurs when cells in the lining of the body's organs are abnormal and grow out of control. Most often, this occurs in the lungs. It can also affect the heart, stomach and other organs of the body. Mesothelioma is most often a problem for males. It is also more prevalent for those who have been exposed to asbestos over many years or to a variety of asbestos.

The needle-like filaments created by asbestos can cause mesothelioma. These fibers can get lodged in the lungs and in other parts of the body when people breathe them in. Mesothelioma is diagnosed by an examination, and doctors can tell if it is one of three types of mesothelioma: sarcomatoid, epithelioid or biphasic.

Asbestos, however is not the only substance that can cause mesothelioma. This condition has also been linked with coal dust and other natural sources of Zeolite mineral. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain substances or bacteria that cause lung damage and inflammation.

In the past, it was believed that asbestos was the sole material that could cause this impact on humans, however studies have recently discovered that a mineral that is similar to asbestos, called erionite can cause mesothelioma as well. In fact, erionite is much more mesothelioma-inducing than any of the known asbestos minerals. It is essential to test any asbestos-like material for mesothelioma. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the CDC has issued guidelines that address this issue in detail. There are several reviews on the mineralogy of erionite as well as its health effects (International Agency claiming for asbestos related illness Research on Cancer, 2009; Mumpton, 1999). Michele Carbone has written a great article on the mesothelioma risks of erionite in Cappadocia Turkey.

3. SV40 virus

Mesothelioma, which is a fatal type of cancer, is a disease that affects the thin tissue layer that protects our internal organs. The rare cancer is usually caused by asbestos exposure in the workplace. Some cases aren't caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is classified as pleural mesothelioma. This affects the tissue around the lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma which affects the tissue that surrounds the abdominal organs; or pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the tissue surrounding the heart. There are studies that suggest that a virus known as SV40 may be a potential cause of mesothelioma.

Scientists working on polio vaccination in the 1950s, grew their live virus that was attenuated on rhesus kidney cells that were minced. However, some monkeys were infected with a simian Virus that contaminated the polio vaccine. Many who were exposed to the vaccine in the United States, and elsewhere were diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Researchers have found SV40 in mesothelioma cancers, but the connection is not clear. It is possible that the SV40 just contaminated the tissue in the laboratory and did not cause mesothelioma. The SV40 gene can be integrated into human chromosomes, and is involved in cell division. This has prompted some to suggest that the virus is linked with mesothelioma due to the chance of developing other types of cancer.

However, other mesothelioma risk factors do not appear to increase the likelihood of acquiring the disease for example, a mineral known as Erionite found in Turkey as well as radiation treatments for other diseases, and talcum powder, which is frequently used by women than men. Knowing the other risk factors of mesothelioma can help doctors detect the disease earlier and improve the outcomes for patients. Identifying additional risk factors may result in improved ways to prevent the disease. Mesothelioma can be a very aggressive cancer that is diagnosed early and prompt treatment are critical for a patient's survival. As more information about the causes of mesothelioma becomes revealed, more and more people will be diagnosed with the disease and more lives will be saved.

4. Talcum Powder

Most mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of tiny fibres. Mesothelioma develops in the tissues that surround the lungs, abdomen and the heart, with symptoms typically showing after more than 20 years after exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure is most common in the workplace. Most at risk are miners, those who make asbestos-containing products in factories, railroad and automobile workers (asbestos is used to line train car and engine parts) gas masks made of asbestos and insulation manufacturers, shipbuilders, asbestos Exposure mesothelioma Lawyers construction workers, and painters. It is also possible for family members of people working in these industries to contract mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure that is carried in clothing.

When exposed to asbestos, tiny asbestos fibres can get into the lungs and remain there for a long time. The fibres then can irritate cells until they become damaged enough to turn into cancerous tumours.

Mesothelioma affects the chest liner (pleura), stomach lining (peritoneum) and the lining around the heart (pericardium). In rare instances, the lining around the testes can be affected by mesothelioma. All forms of asbestos, including chrysotile have been associated with mesothelioma.

The exposure to talcum can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. Talcum is a naturally occurring mineral that is made of magnesium silicate. It is used in cosmetics and also as a baby powder. When asbestos-contaminated talcum powder is inhaled, it can irritate the lungs and cause them to develop tumours. In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos-contaminated talcum powder can cause ovarian cancer in women. A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention showed that African American women who used talcum powder on their genitals were at an increased risk of 44% of ovarian cancer.

Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma as they are exposed to asbestos the most often while working. It can affect anyone at any age. The length of time and the amount of asbestos exposure are the most significant factors in determining a person's likelihood for mesothelioma. The risk is higher for those who were exposed the most asbestos, particularly at a young age and for a longer time.