Is Mesothelioma Only Caused by Asbestos?
Mesothelioma, a cancer that is deadly, affects the thin layer of skin that lines various organs. It is most common in the lung (pleural sarcoidosis) along with the intestines, stomach, and the heart. People exposed to asbestos are at greater risk.
Asbestos is a group minerals that form long and thin fibers. It was utilized in military, commercial and residential products throughout the 20th century when companies were aware of its risks but hid it to make the most profit.
Causes
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is abrasive to chemicals and heat. It was used to make a variety of household and commercial products in the past, such as floor tiles, insulation and brake linings. However, asbestos is a danger because it breaks into tiny, needle-like fibers that may irritate the tissue around organs, which can lead to cancerous cells.
Workers who work with asbestos or are exposed to it at workplace or at home are more likely to develop mesothelioma than people who have not. Between 70% and 80% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are victims of exposure to asbestos. It can take between 20 to 50 years for symptoms to appear after the initial exposure. A higher risk is also for those with mesothelioma-affected relatives.
When exposed to asbestos, the fibers can be inhaled into the lungs. These fibers then travel into the pleura, or lining surrounding the lungs and can cause irritation. This can lead to the development of pleural disease as well as fluid accumulation within the lung. This can make it difficult to breathe.
Mesothelioma can also develop in the tissues that connect the abdomen, intestines and the heart. In the majority of instances, a person suffering from mesothelioma has had exposure to asbestos at the workplace. This kind of asbestos exposure is different from that of someone who is exposed at home to asbestos, for example when family members remove asbestos-containing insulation from their walls and ceilings.
Scientists are investigating if certain genes can increase your chances of developing mesothelioma. Even with these asbestos-related genes, exposure is still necessary for the development of mesothelioma. Rare cases of mesothelioma are linked to minerals like silica and Erionite which are related asbestos. Certain individuals may be more susceptible to mesothelioma due to the way they break down asbestos. This is not a known factor, and it isn't able to explain the differences between a person who develops mesothelioma versus another.
Symptoms
Asbestos exposure may cause mesothelioma that is cancerous in any of the body linings. It may also grow in the lung (pleural mesothelioma) or in the abdomen, as well as the heart. It can also form in the testicles.
The signs of mesothelioma typically manifest slowly over a long time. The symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses and, therefore, people are frequently wrongly diagnosed in the beginning stages of mesothelioma. It can take between 20 and 50 years for symptoms to manifest, meaning someone could have been exposed to asbestos exposure for decades before the mesothelioma disease was discovered. The cancer spreads to different parts of the human body at the same time.
Chest pain, coughing and breathing problems are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. Patients can experience other symptoms, too, including fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. The most frequently reported manifestation is fluid accumulation in the lung (pleural effusion). Pleural mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining as well as the chest cavity, also known as the pleura. The cancer causes the lining to thicken, making it difficult for the lungs to expand when breathing.
A biopsy and some tests can help doctors diagnose the presence of pleural mesothelioma. A biopsy can determine the type of mesothelioma a patient has, how far it has spread, and whether it is benign or malignant.
If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they may refer the patient to a specialist for more tests. The specialist will be able to perform a biopsy in an outpatient setting. This means that patients can be admitted and out of the hospital on the same day without having to wait long periods of recuperation.
Mesothelioma is still rare however it is crucial to get diagnosed as soon as possible. There is no cure for the disease, however treatment can manage symptoms and slow it down.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can result from asbestos, a clustering of minerals that have thin and flexible fibers. Asbestos is strong, fire-resistant and doesn't conduct electricity, so it was used in various industrial applications like insulation, building materials, ships, brakes and flooring of various kinds. Exposure can occur when these products get dusty and begin to break down. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation when inhaled or consumed and can cause mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't show up until a few decades after the initial exposure. It can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart's lining (pericardial mesothelioma).
The only way to determine mesothelioma is through medical testing. A patient's doctor will evaluate them and inquire about their past work background. They may also conduct imaging tests to examine the chest or abdomen for any signs of abnormalities. These tests may include X-rays, CT scans, MRI or PET scans.
If a diagnosis of mesothelioma is possible, the doctors will collect a tissue or fluid sample for further testing. They will look for cancerous cells under a microscope in order to determine what kind of mesothelioma the patient has. There are three types: epithelioid, biphasic and sarcomatoid. 70 percent of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. The sarcomatoid type is the least prevalent. The biphasic type can be a mixture of the first two and is more difficult to treat than either individually.
Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on factors like the type, stage and severity of the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more aggressive than other. Patients suffering from late-stage disease are more likely to suffer from a poor prognosis.
Patients with mesothelioma can also be treated with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These treatments can be uncomfortable and cause adverse effects like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and breathing difficulties. These side effects can be managed with medication or other methods. Patients may also receive radiation after surgery to eliminate any cancerous cells that surgeons missed during the procedure.
Prognosis
Asbestos can cause serious medical problems despite its wide use and its reputation as a long-lasting and cost-effective product. Mesothelioma is one of these conditions. It manifests on the tissues and organs like the lungs and heart. The symptoms of mesothelioma can take decades other causes of mesothelioma to appear, but treatment can help to manage the disease and decrease symptoms.
Asbestos fibers are tiny and can be absorbed into the body. They can then become lodged within certain tissues. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral has been utilized in everything from insulation to textiles for centuries.
When asbestos is disturbed, it becomes airborne and can be breathed in or consumed. Inhaling asbestos fibers are deposited in the lungs where they can cause irritation to cells until they damage DNA, and develop into malignant. Asbestos fibers are absorbed by the stomach, and then travel into the lining of the stomach (peritoneum) and can cause inflammation and mesothelioma.
The exposure to asbestos from secondhand sources is also possible if you live in a place in which someone has worked with asbestos. Workers may expose their family members to asbestos fibers if they bring home stray fibers from their clothing, skin or hair. A family history of mesothelioma increases the chance of developing the disease.
There are two kinds of mesothelioma, the peritoneal and the pleural. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the tissues of the chest and lungs. It is the most common mesothelioma. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is caused asbestos fibers that enter the linings on the outside of the abdominal organs or cavity. This type of mesothelioma affects the tummy's lining (abdomen) and is less prevalent than mesothelioma of the pleural region.
Asbestos is a poisonous mineral that could cause several different types of cancers and other illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Unfortunately, asbestos' dangers were not widely recognized until the beginning of the 1980s when companies began to recognize the dangers. Before that asbestos was being employed by blue-collar industries as well as the military in items like flooring, roofs and brake linings.