Is Mesothelioma Only Caused by Asbestos?
Mesothelioma, a deadly cancer is a disease that affects the thin layer that covers many organs. It is most prevalent in the lung (pleural sarcoidosis) as well as the intestines and heart. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk.
Asbestos is one of the minerals that make long, thin fibers. It was used for commercial, military, and residential products during the 20th century. The manufacturers were aware of the dangers, but they hid them to increase profits.
Causes
Asbestos is an organic mineral that is resistant to wear and heat. It was used in manufacturing various commercial and household products in the past, including floor tiles, insulation and brake linings. But asbestos is extremely dangerous because it is broken down into tiny, needle-like fibers that may irritate organ tissues, which could lead to cancerous cells.
People who are exposed to asbestos or are exposed to it at work or at home are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to those who aren't. Between 70 and 80% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma have a history of exposure to asbestos. The symptoms usually manifest between 20 and fifty years after the first asbestos exposure. A higher risk of developing symptoms is related to those who have mesothelioma-affected relatives.
If exposed to asbestos, the fibers are able to be inhaled into the lung. The fibers be transported to the pleura or the lining around the lungs and irritate it. This can lead to pleural disease and fluid buildup within the lungs. This can cause breathing difficulties.
Mesothelioma can also be found in the tissues that line the heart, abdomen, or the intestines. The majority of mesothelioma patient has had exposure to asbestos while at work. This type of exposure is different than those who is exposed to asbestos at home, for instance, when family members remove asbestos-containing insulation from the walls and ceilings of their homes.
Scientists are investigating whether certain genes may increase the chances of developing mesothelioma. Even with these asbestos-related genes, exposure is still necessary to develop mesothelioma. A few rare cases of mesothelioma have been linked to other minerals such as silica and erionite, which are linked to asbestos. It is also possible that some individuals are more susceptible to the development of mesothelioma because of the way that their bodies breakdown asbestos. This is not a recognized factual factor and is not able to explain the difference between a person who gets mesothelioma and another.
Symptoms
Asbestos exposure can cause cancerous mesothelioma in any of the body linings. It can also form in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or in the abdomen, as well as the heart. It can also develop in the testicles.
Mesothelioma symptoms typically manifest in sporadic ways over a long period of time. Symptoms can be similar to those of other ailments which is why people are often not diagnosed in the initial stages of mesothelioma. The symptoms can take up to 50 years to appear, so someone may have been exposed to asbestos for decades before forming mesothelioma. The cancer spreads to different parts of the human body at the same time.
Coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing are all symptoms of pleural Mesothelioma. Other symptoms can include weight loss, fatigue and abdominal pain. Lung fluid is the most frequently reported symptom (pleural effusion). Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lining of the chest cavity and lungs called the pleura. The cancer can thicken the lining of the lungs, making it difficult for the lungs expand when breathing.
A biopsy, along with other tests, can help doctors diagnose the presence of pleural mesothelioma. A biopsy can reveal the type of mesothelioma malignant and how widely it's spread, and whether it's benign or malignant.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they may refer the patient to a specialist for further tests. The specialist can perform a biopsy in an outpatient setting. The patient is able to leave the hospital on the next day.
Mesothelioma can be rare however it is important to get it detected as soon as possible. There is no cure for the disease, however treatment can help manage symptoms and slow it down.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of minerals containing thin flexible, malleable fibers. Asbestos was used in a variety industrial applications, such as building materials brakes, insulation, and ships. It is also a fire-resistant material and does not conduct electricity. 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 don't appear until decades after exposure. It can affect the linings of the lungs as well as the stomach and heart.
Only medical tests can identify mesothelioma. A patient's doctor will examine them and inquire about their past work background. The doctor may also conduct imaging tests to check for abnormalities in the chest or abdomen. These tests could include X-rays, CT scans, MRI or PET scans.
If a diagnosis of mesothelioma is possible, the doctors will take an organ or a fluid sample for further analysis. They will search for cancer cells under a microscope to see what kind of mesothelioma the patient has. There are three types: epithelioid, biphasic and sarcomatoid. 70% of cases of mesothelioma are epithelioid. The sarcomatoid type is least common. The biphasic form is a mix of the first two types and can be harder to treat than either separately.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are based on factors like the stage, type and severity of the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma can be more aggressive than others, and the prognosis is generally worse for patients who have mesothelioma that is in the what is mesothelioma caused by late stages.
Patients with mesothelioma may also be treated with chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. These treatments can be uncomfortable and can cause negative side effects, such as nausea fatigue, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. However, these effects are typically temporary and can be treated by medication or other methods. Some patients may receive radiation following surgery to eliminate any cancerous cells that surgeons missed during the operation.
Prognosis
Asbestos is known to cause serious medical problems despite its widespread use and reputation as a long-lasting and cost-effective product. Mesothelioma is just one of these conditions. It develops on the tissues of organs and structures like the lungs and the heart. The symptoms of mesothelioma can take a long time to manifest but treatment can manage the disease and reduce symptoms.
Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibers which can enter the body and become trapped in the lining of certain tissues. Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, has been used in everything from textiles to insulation for centuries.
When asbestos is disturbed, it turns airborne and is able to be breathed in or inhaled. Inhaling asbestos fibers may cause irritation to the lung cells damaging DNA and causing malignancy. Asbestos fibers get digested by the stomach and move to the outer lining (peritoneum) and can cause mesothelioma or inflammation.
Asbestos exposure can also occur through contact with another person like living in a house in which someone has worked with asbestos. Family members can be exposed if workers bring home stray asbestos fibers on their clothing, skin and hair. A family history of mesothelioma increases the chance of developing the disease.
There are two major types of mesothelioma: pleural and peritoneal. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the chest's lining and the lungs. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers enter the lining of the abdominal organs and cavity. This mesothelioma type is more frequent than pleural and affects the lining of the abdomen.
Asbestos is a very toxic mineral that can lead to various types of cancers as well as other illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. However, asbestos' risks were not widely known until the beginning of the 1980s when companies began to recognize the dangers. Until then, blue-collar industries and the military regularly employed asbestos in various products, such as flooring, roofing insulation, brake linings and insulation.