Is Mesothelioma Only Caused by Asbestos?
Mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer, that affects the thin layer of tissues that line many internal organs, but most typically the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) along with the intestines, the heart and lungs. 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 items during the 20th century. Manufacturers knew about the dangers, but they hid them in order to maximize profits.
Causes
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, is resistant to heat and chemical. In the past asbestos was used to manufacture various commercial and household products, such as flooring tiles, insulation and brake linings. Asbestos is dangerous, however, because it breaks into tiny, needle-like fibers that can cause irritation to organs and tissues and lead to cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is more prevalent in those who work with asbestos or are exposed on the job or at home. 70% to 80% of those diagnosed with mesothelioma had a history of asbestos exposure. The symptoms usually manifest between 20 and 50 years after the initial asbestos exposure. People who have mesothelioma-related relatives also have a higher chance of developing it.
Asbestos fibers can get into the lungs when exposed. The fibers be transported to the pleura or the lining around the lungs, and cause irritation to it. Over time, this can result in pleural diseases which can cause the lungs to build up fluid which is a condition known as pleural effusion. This can make breathing difficult.
Mesothelioma can also be found in the tissues that are found in the abdomen, intestines, and heart. Most often, a mesothelioma patient has had exposure to asbestos while at work. This kind of asbestos exposure differs from a person who is exposed at home to asbestos, for example when family members remove asbestos containing insulation from their ceilings and walls.
Scientists are investigating whether certain genes could increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. Even with these genes, exposure to asbestos is still necessary for the development of mesothelioma. A few rare cases of mesothelioma have been connected to other minerals, such as silica and erionite that are linked to asbestos. It is also possible that certain individuals are more susceptible to developing mesothelioma due to the way their bodies process asbestos. This isn't a recognized risk factor however, and it doesn't explain why one person might get the illness and another wouldn't.
Signs and symptoms
Asbestos exposure could cause mesothelioma that is cancerous in any of the body linings. It can also form in the lung (pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen, or even the heart. It can also develop in the testicles.
The symptoms of mesothelioma usually manifest slowly over a long period of. The initial symptoms of mesothelioma may be misinterpreted as signs of other illnesses. It can take between 20 and 30 years to show up, so one could have experienced asbestos exposure for years before mesothelioma developed. It takes around the same amount of time for the cancer to spread to different parts of the body once it forms.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include difficulty breathing, coughing, and chest pain. Patients can experience other symptoms as well, such as fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. The most frequent manifestation is fluid accumulation in the lungs (pleural effusion). Pleural mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining as well as the chest cavity known as the pleura. The cancer can thicken the lining of the lungs which makes it difficult for the lungs expand when breathing.
A biopsy, along with other tests, can help doctors identify pleural msothelioma. A biopsy can reveal the type of malignant mesothelioma and the extent to which it has spread and whether it's benign or malignant.
If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they may refer the patient to a specialist for more tests. causes of mesothelioma other than asbestos can perform an examination in an outpatient setting. This means that the patient can be in and out of the hospital on the same day, without needing a lot of recovery time.
Mesothelioma can be rare but it's crucial to be diagnosed as soon as you can. There is no cure for the disease, but treatment can help manage symptoms and reduce its severity.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of minerals containing thin flexible, flexible fibers. Asbestos is durable, fire-resistant and doesn't conduct electricity which is why it was utilized in various industrial applications like building materials, insulation, ships, brakes and certain types of flooring. Exposure can be caused by these products breaking down and turn into dusty. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation if inhaled or consumed and can cause mesothelioma. The symptoms of mesothelioma typically are not evident until years after exposure. It can affect the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach's lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart's lining (pericardial mesothelioma).
Only medical tests can identify mesothelioma. A patient's doctor will examine them and ask questions about their previous work and medical history. They will also perform scans to check the abdomen and chest for any abnormalities. These tests can include X-rays, CT scans, MRI or PET scans.
If a diagnosis of mesothelioma is possible, doctors will request samples of fluid or tissue to conduct further tests. Under microscopes, they search for cancer cells to determine the type of mesothelioma the patient is suffering from. There are three types of mesothelioma: epithelioid (most common), sarcomatoid (second most prevalent) and biphasic. 70% of cases of mesothelioma are epithelioid. The sarcomatoid form is the least common. The biphasic type is a mix of the two types and can be more difficult to treat than either type individually.
Mesothelioma treatment options depend on the mesothelioma type, the stage of the disease and other factors. Certain mesothelioma types can be more aggressive than other. Patients with late-stage disease have a lower chance of survival.
Patients with mesothelioma can be treated through chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. These treatments can be painful for certain patients, and can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, fatigue and breathing difficulties. These side effects can be managed through medication or other methods. Certain patients also undergo radiation treatments following surgery to kill cancer cells that surgeons missed.
Prognosis
Despite its use in a variety of industries and its reputation as an extremely durable and cost-effective material, asbestos is known to be the cause of several types of serious medical conditions. Mesothelioma is among these diseases. It develops on the tissues of organs and structures like the lungs and the heart. Mesothelioma signs can take a long time to manifest. Treatments can be used to manage and lessen symptoms.
Asbestos fibers are tiny and can be absorbed by the body. They may then be lodged within certain tissues. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral is used in everything from insulation to textiles for centuries.
When asbestos is disturbed it becomes airborne. It can be inhaled or eaten. Inhaling asbestos fibers may cause irritation to the lung cells which can cause DNA damage and malignancy. When ingested, the asbestos fibers are digested and then travel through the digestive tract and eventually to the outer lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) where they can also cause inflammation and cause mesothelioma.
Exposure to asbestos through secondhand contact is also possible if you live in a place where someone has been exposed to asbestos. Workers can expose family members to asbestos fibers when they bring home stray fibers from their skin, clothing or hair. The risk of developing mesothelioma is also increased by having an ancestor with the illness.
There are two major types of mesothelioma, pleural and the peritoneal. Pleural mesothelioma is found in the tissues of the chest and lungs. It is the most frequent mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the lining of the abdominal cavity and organs. This mesothelioma type is more common than pleural and affects the lining in the abdomen.
Asbestos, a toxic mineral, can lead to cancers of various types as well as other illnesses like mesothelioma or lung cancer. The dangers of asbestos were not widely known until the 1980s, when manufacturers started to realize its dangers. In the past, blue-collar businesses and the military routinely used asbestos in items such as flooring, roofing insulation, brake linings and insulation.