Mesothelioma - What is Mesothelioma Caused From?
Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer, is usually caused by asbestos exposure. It typically attacks organ linings in the chest or abdomen.
Asbestos is a class of microfibers that were extensively used in construction. It takes around 20 years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Exposure to Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of organs, primarily in the lung (pleura) and abdomen. It is a malignant mesothelial cancer that can take up to 50 years to develop after exposure. Asbestos is a group of minerals with thin micro-sized fibers. It was once widely used in building materials as well as other products because it is resistant to fire, heat, and chemicals.
Exposure to asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. Around 80% of mesothelioma patients were exposed at work. Mesothelioma is more common among those who are exposed to asbestos, specifically those who handle it daily. People who have not worked with asbestos in their past but live near asbestos sites could be at risk. They may be exposed to asbestos by breathing in airborne particles or bringing home dust on their clothing or hair.
People who have been exposed to asbestos may develop symptoms of mesothelioma at any time during their lives. These symptoms include shortness in breathing, chest pain and fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). Mesothelioma typically takes between 30 and 50 years to develop after the initial asbestos exposure.
Asbestos can cause mesothelioma when asbestos fibers become stuck in different areas of the body. When asbestos fibers are stuck in the lining of the lungs and cause pleural mesothelioma, it can be fatal. Asbestos that get stuck in the stomach's lining (peritoneum) can cause mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, and asbestos that is stuck to the lining of the heart's chambers can cause pericardial melanoma.
The people who served in the military are at higher risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that all branches of the military employed asbestos extensively in bases and in planes, ships and vehicles. Veterans who worked in the Navy's engine rooms and gun turrets and electrical systems, for example are more likely to have been exposed to asbestos. The most commonly encountered mesothelioma types are peritoneal and pleural however, the disease can develop in any area of the body's lining. Patients suffering from mesothelioma should discuss their asbestos history with their physician.
Exposure to Erionite
Mesothelioma is a result of exposure to asbestos fibres, but there are a few instances where people have developed the disease after exposure to erionite, a type of mineral that's closely related to asbestos. Erionite is a kind of Zeolite, a natural rock that's a part of the same mineral family as asbestos. Erionite can be black or brown in colour and contains needle-like fibers that can enter the lungs and become lodged inside the body. In a recent study researchers discovered that pleural melanoma (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 caused by erionite resulted from breathing in the mineral's fine needle-like fibers.
The researchers compared erionite and asbestos and concluded that it was much more mesotheliomagenic compared to the asbestos-related minerals. They also studied the pulmonary pathology of patients from these villages and discovered that the disease was linked to Erionite, not asbestos. Breathlessness (pleural effusion), fluid on the lungs, loss of appetite and body weight as well as an obstruction of the intestines are all signs of mesothelioma.
Erionite was not widely recognized as a mesothelioma risk in North America until recently because symptoms of the disease can take many years to manifest. 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 type that's mined and used in road construction. It's also an ingredient in masonry mortar. The research findings show that the fine erionite particles could be released into the air by machines and, when they're dry, they become airborne. Air samples collected in North Dakota along roadside and inside vehicles were similar to or higher than those found in Boyali, Turkey, where exposure to erionite caused 6.25 percent mesothelioma related deaths. As long as the erionite exposure in the United States is properly evaluated, experts can't say whether people living in this region are at increased risk for mesothelioma.
Radiation exposure
Radiation is a form of energy emitted by atoms that travel through the body as waves or particles. Certain kinds of radiation can cause cancer, such as high-energy X rays used to detect pulmonary mesothelioma and chest CT scans done in patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. Inhaling radioactive particle can also increase the chance of developing mesothelioma. These particles are more likely to be found in the lung. Additionally, doctors could use low-dose radiation to treat mesothelioma, particularly in patients suffering from pleural forms of the disease.
Mesothelioma can be found in the lung lining (pleura) or the tissue that surrounds the organs in the tummy (peritoneum). It is generally malignant and can be identified at any stage. Stage 1 is a localized condition, affecting only that part of the mesothelium in which it first began. Stage 4 mesothelioma, on the contrary, has spread to different areas of the body.
Mesothelioma symptoms include coughing, chest or abdominal discomfort, and breathing difficulties. Those symptoms may not appear until the cancer is at an advanced stage, when it becomes easier for doctors to recognize it. Patients with mesothelioma may experience combination symptoms, such as shortness of breathe and weight loss as well as fatigue. The lungs are most affected, but it can also affect the heart, brain and other organs.
The treatment for mesothelioma includes radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. A doctor can determine the best treatment for a patient through examining the mesothelioma, finding out the staging of the cancer, and analyzing the genetics.
Smoking and having family members who suffer from the disease could increase someone's risk for mesothelioma. About 1% of mesothelioma cases are hereditary. This means that the cancer can be passed from parents to children through genes. Doctors can use the background of a patient's family to determine the best tests for them. The most commonly used tests are MRIs, which utilize radio waves and strong magnetic fields to create precise images of soft tissue in the body. Another option is positron-emission Tomography (PET), where small amounts of radioactive compound is injected into the body and afterward, pictures of cancerous cells are taken. The cancerous cells absorb the radioactive compound and appear brighter on images than the tissue surrounding them.
Genetics
Many cancers are linked to genetics, which is why it's vital to understand your family background. It will allow doctors to identify any genes or mutations that could increase your risk to develop mesothelioma. However, the main risk factor for mesothelioma is the exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers penetrate cells and alter the balance of DNA. As a result, mesothelial cells begin reproducing uncontrollably, and eventually form clusters that result in tumors. This is the reason mesothelioma is able to affect various parts of the body.
Mesothelioma is treated by doctors through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Treatment is based on the type of cancer, where it began, and whether the cancer has spread.
X-rays and CT scans are used to identify signs of mesothelioma. These include a buildup of calcium on the lung lining or fluid in the chest cavity. Blood tests are used by doctors to determine if cancerous tumors are growing or if they have spread.
Mesothelioma can start in the tissue layer that covers your lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or in the tissues around the organs that are located in your abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). It's also possible to have both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma in the same time.
malignant mesothelioma causes used treatments for mesothelioma are surgeries like pleural pleurectomy or pleural biopsy, or targeted therapies, like immunotherapy. Certain patients may respond better to chemotherapy or drugs.
Lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma are able to assist patients suffering from the disease to get the money they deserve. These funds can be used to cover medical expenses, funeral costs, and other costs associated the disease.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it's important to contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Our team can determine if you're eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit and provide you with the best legal representation. We offer a free consultation with no obligation. Contact us today or use the contact form on this page to find out more about how we can help. We provide services to clients across the country.