Ask Me Anything: 10 Answers To Your Questions About Causes Of Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos
Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
Asbest has been a cause of asbestos exposure for millions of Americans. Other causes of cancer have been linked to asbestos although it is not the main reason.
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma when consumed or inhaled. These fibers can pierce the lining of the lungs (pleura) or the lining that protects the abdomen (peritoneum).
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by using blood and imaging tests. However, they are unable to confirm mesothelioma if they don't have a tissue sample.
1. Exposure to radiation
Despite the many myths in the media, mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. Even a tiny amount of exposure to asbestos can lead to cancer in the lung's lining and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Radiation or other sources may increase the chance of developing mesothelioma. However these are more rare causes than asbestos.
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that is characterized by abnormal cells that expand and divide without order or control. The cancerous cells could turn into tumors, which can then invade adjacent organs and tissues. Mesothelioma cancer cells can also spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body via lymphatic system.
Asbestos exposure is responsible for up to 80 percent of mesothelioma cases. The people who are exposed to asbestos work in areas like mining, construction, or the military are more at chance of developing mesothelioma than those who were not. The exposure is usually by inhalation or ingesting asbestos fibers, which may become lodged in the lungs or stomach.
Smoking and family history are also risk factors. Asbestos workers could bring asbestos fibers back to their homes on their skin and clothing and increase the likelihood that their family members will be exposed to cancer-causing chemicals.
Recurrences of mesothelioma are common when a patient has been through treatment for other diseases or cancers. Patients who have had surgery for cancers that affect the chest cavity like lung cancer or pleural cancer is at a greater chance of recurrences of mesothelioma.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by physical exam, medical history, imaging tests, and other procedures like a biopsy. The most common treatment for mesothelioma is surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients may also undergo immunotherapy or targeted therapy. The surgery involves removing cancerous tissues and any affected by them. Chemotherapy is a pharmaceutical treatment that reduces or kills cancerous cells. Radiation therapy uses radiation to destroy tumors and stop them from growing or spreading. Immunotherapy, also known as targeted therapy, involves the use of drugs to boost the immune system to fight cancer.
2. Erionite
Mesothelioma is often associated with exposure to asbestos, however there are a variety of other possible causes of this kind of cancer. One of the most interesting is a mineral called erionite. This substance is a common component of natural zeolite minerals and it has been shown to cause mesothelioma. This is a serious disease, and anyone who has been exposed to it should seek medical attention immediately.
When cells in the linings of organs of the body develop abnormalities and grow out of control and become infected, it is referred to as mesothelioma. Most often, this happens in the lungs. It can also affect the stomach, the heart and other organs of the body. Mesothelioma is most often a problem for males. It is also more prevalent in those who have been exposed to asbestos for a long period of time or to multiple types.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma because of the needle-like fibers it produces. These fibers can lodge in the lungs and other parts of the human body when people breathe them in. A biopsy can be used to diagnose mesothelioma. Doctors can determine if the cancer is sarcomatoid epithelioid biphasic.
Asbestos is one of several potential substances that can cause mesothelioma, but this disease has been linked to coal dust and other sources of natural zeolite minerals. In addition, mesothelioma can be caused by certain bacteria or other substances that can cause inflammation and damage to the lung.
In the past asbestos was thought to be the only substance that could cause mesothelioma in humans. However recent research has proven that a mineral that is similar to asbestos called erionite can also cause mesothelioma. In fact, erionite is much more mesothelioma-inducing than any of the known asbestos minerals. This is why it is important to identify any asbestos-like material and to be tested for mesothelioma. The CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has published detailed guidelines that cover this issue. There are numerous reviews on the mineralogy of erionite as well as its health implications (International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2009; Mumpton, 1999). There is also an excellent source on the mesothelioma danger of erionite in Cappadocia, Turkey, by Michele Carbone.
3. SV40 Virus
Mesothelioma is a lethal type of cancer, is a disease that affects the thin tissue layer that is a part of our internal organs. This rare form of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos in the workplace. But there are some cases that are not linked to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is classified as peritoneal or pleural which affects tissue around our abdominal organs or pericardial, a rare form of the disease that affects the tissue around the heart. Certain studies suggest that the virus SV40 could be a cause of mesothelioma.
In the 1950s, researchers working on the polio vaccine developed their attenuated live virus on minced kidney cells of rhesus monkeys. However there were monkeys that were infected by the simian Virus that contaminated the polio vaccine. Many who received the vaccine in the United States, and elsewhere have developed mesothelioma.
Researchers have discovered SV40 within mesothelioma tumours, but there is controversy over the link. It is possible that SV40 simply contaminated the tissue in the lab, and did not actually cause mesothelioma. The SV40 gene can be integrated into human chromosomes and is involved in cell division. This has prompted some to speculate that the virus may be associated with mesothelioma due to the risk of developing other forms of cancer.
Other mesothelioma risk factors are not causing an increase in the risk of developing the disease. These include a mineral called Erionite, which is found in Turkey as well as radiotherapy for various diseases and talcum, which is used more frequently by women than men. Understanding the other risk factors of mesothelioma can aid doctors in diagnosing the disease earlier, which will improve outcomes for patients. Recognizing other risk factors can be a key factor in developing better prevention methods. Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial for a patient's survival. Mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer and early detection and treatment are crucial. As more information on 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
The majority of mesothelioma is caused by asbestos, which is a cluster of tiny fibres. Mesothelioma can develop in the tissues surrounding the abdomen, lungs, and the heart, with symptoms typically showing after more than 20 years after exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure occurs mostly in the workplace. Most at risk are miners, those who make asbestos-containing products in factories, railroad and automobile workers (asbestos used to line train car and engine parts) gas masks made of asbestos and insulation manufacturers, shipbuilders construction workers, and painters. It is also possible for relatives of people working in these industries to contract mesothelioma from asbestos exposure that is carried at home on clothing.
When exposed to asbestos, microscopic asbestos fibres can get into the lungs and stay there permanently. The fibres can then irritate the cells until they are damaged enough to develop into cancerous tumours.
Mesothelioma affects the chest liner (pleura), stomach lining (peritoneum) and the lining around the heart (pericardium). In rare cases mesothelioma can be found in the testes' lining (tunica vaginalis). Mesothelioma is linked to all types of asbestos including chrysotile.
asbestos disease mesothelioma to talcum powder could also increase the risk of mesothelioma. Talcum is a naturally-occurring mineral made from magnesium silicate. It is typically used as baby powder and can be found in a variety of cosmetics. 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. According to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, African American women who use talcum powder on their genitals are at a 44% higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma since they are exposed asbestos most often at work. However, it can affect people of all ages. The most significant factor in the mesothelioma risk of a person is the length of time they were exposed to asbestos, and the amount of asbestos they were exposed to. The risk is greater for those who were exposed to the most asbestos, at an early age and over a longer period.