Is Mesothelioma Only Caused by Asbestos?
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that lines many internal organs, but most often the lung (pleural mesothelioma), intestines and heart. People who are exposed to asbestos are at higher risk.
Asbestos is a class of minerals that make long, thin fibers. It was used in military, commercial and residential products in the 20th century. The manufacturers were aware of its risks, but hid them to increase profits.
Causes
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is abrasive to chemicals and heat. In the past, asbestos was used to make a variety household and commercial products, such as insulation, floor tiles and brake linings. Asbestos can be dangerous but it is so because it breaks into tiny, needle-like fibers, which can irritate tissue around organs and may cause cancerous cells.
People who work with asbestos or are exposed to asbestos at home or on the job are more likely to develop mesothelioma than people who do not. Between 70 and 80% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma have a history of exposure to asbestos. It usually takes between 20 to 50 years for symptoms to appear after the initial exposure. A higher risk is associated with those who have mesothelioma in their family members.
If exposed to asbestos, fibers may be breathed into the lung. These fibers may then be transported to the pleura or lining around the lungs, and cause irritation to it. This can lead to pleural disease and fluid buildup within the lungs. This can cause breathing difficulties.
Mesothelioma can also occur in the tissues that connect the abdomen, intestines, and heart. In most cases, a person with mesothelioma is exposed to asbestos at work. This kind of asbestos exposure differs from a person who is exposed at home to asbestos, such as when family members remove asbestos containing insulation from their walls and ceilings.
Scientists are investigating whether certain genes can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. However regardless of these genes, a person must be exposed to asbestos in order to develop mesothelioma. A few mesothelioma cases have been associated with other minerals such as silica and Erionite, both of which are related to asbestos. It is also possible that certain individuals are more susceptible to developing mesothelioma due to the way that their bodies process asbestos. This is not a known factor and does not explain the difference between a patient who is diagnosed with mesothelioma from another.
Signs and symptoms
Asbestos exposure could cause mesothelioma cancer in any of the body linings. It may also grow in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen or heart. In some instances it can develop in the testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma).
The symptoms of mesothelioma generally appear slowly over a long period of. Its symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases and, therefore, people are frequently misdiagnosed in the early stages of mesothelioma. The symptoms can take up to 50 years before they appear and, therefore, a person may have been exposed for decades before forming mesothelioma. The cancer spreads to different parts of the human body in about the same time.
Chest pain, coughing, and difficulty breathing are all symptoms of pleural Mesothelioma. Patients may also experience other signs, too, including fatigue, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Lung fluid is the most frequently reported sign (pleural effusion). Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity called the pleura. The cancer thickens the lining and makes it difficult for the lungs expand when breathing.
Doctors can diagnose pleural melanoma by taking a sample of tissue from the affected area and doing some tests. A biopsy can be used to determine the type of mesothelioma a patient is suffering from, the extent to which it has spread, and whether it is malignant or benign.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma they may refer the patient to a specialist for further tests. The specialist will be able to perform an examination in an outpatient setting. This means the patient can be in and out of the hospital the same day without needing much recovery time.
Mesothelioma may be rare but it's crucial to get it detected as soon as possible. There is no cure for the disease, however treatment can manage symptoms and reduce its severity.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals with thin malleable fibers. Asbestos is strong, fire-resistant and doesn't conduct electricity, therefore it was used in various industrial applications like building materials, insulation ships, brakes, ships and flooring of various kinds. Exposure can occur when these materials become dusty and brittle and then break down. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation if inhaled or consumed which could lead to mesothelioma. The signs of mesothelioma generally do not manifest until a long time after exposure. It can affect the lung linings, the stomach and the heart.
Only medical tests can determine mesothelioma. The doctor of the patient will examine them and ask questions about their past work history. The doctor may also conduct tests for imaging to look for abnormalities in the abdomen or chest. These tests could include X-rays, CT scans, MRI or PET scans.
If mesothelioma diagnosis is possible, the doctors will take a tissue or fluid sample for further analysis. Under a microscope, they will look for cancerous cells to determine the type of mesothelioma the patient has. There are three types of mesothelioma: epithelioid (most common) and sarcomatoid (second most common) and biphasic. The epithelioid form accounts for 70 percent of mesothelioma cancer cases. The sarcomatoid form is the least prevalent. The biphasic form is a mixture of the two types above and can be harder to treat than any of them in isolation.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on factors such as the type, stage and severity of the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more aggressive than others, and the prognosis is generally poorer for those with late-stage mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy to to treat the disease. These treatments can be painful for some patients, and they can cause side effects like nausea fatigue, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. These side effects can be treated by medication or other techniques. Some patients may receive radiation following surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells that surgeons missed during the operation.
Prognosis
Despite its use in many industries and its reputation for being a highly durable and cost-effective material asbestos is known to be the cause of several types of serious medical issues. Mesothelioma is among these diseases. It develops on the tissues of organs and structures such as the lungs and the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms can take years to appear. Treatments can be used to manage and lessen symptoms.
Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibers which can be introduced into the body and get lodged in the lining of certain tissues. Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that has been used for many years in various products, from insulation to textiles.
When asbestos is disturbed, it transforms into airborne and can be breathed in or inhaled. When inhaled, the asbestos fibers are deposited in the lungs, where they cause irritation to cells until they damage DNA and develop into malignant. Asbestos fibers are digested in the stomach and travel to the lining of the outside (peritoneum) which is where they can cause inflammation and mesothelioma.
Asbestos exposure can also occur through contact with another person for instance, living in a house where someone has worked with asbestos. Workers may expose their family members to asbestos fibers when they bring home any stray fibers from their skin, clothing or hair. A family history of mesothelioma increases the likelihood of developing the disease.
There are two kinds of mesothelioma, peritoneal and pleural. Pleural mesothelioma is found in the linings of the lungs and chest. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos fibers that get into the linings on the outside of the abdominal cavity or organs. This type of mesothelioma is more common than pleural and affects the lining of the is mesothelioma only caused by asbestos abdomen.
Asbestos, a highly toxic mineral, can cause cancers of various types and also other diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The asbestos hazards were not widely known until the early 1980s, when companies began to realize that asbestos was dangerous. Until then, blue-collar industries and the military routinely used asbestos in items such as flooring, roofing, insulation and brake linings.