Mesothelioma - What Causes It?
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma typically live longer if they begin treatment immediately. Chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy can improve survival rates.
Mesothelioma can be found in cells that line certain areas of the body, especially those around the chest and abdomen. The majority of cases involve pleural mysothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs.
Exposure to Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of tough, microscopic fibers. From the 1930s to the 1980s, it was widely used in construction materials, ships, and vehicles, as well as dozens of other items. This is because it resists heat, fire, and water. The asbestos industry was conscious of the dangers it posed, but kept this information hidden from the general public. Asbestos is the most significant reason for mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur in the workplace, or through residential exposure. Shipyards factories, shipyards, and construction sites are among the most common places where asbestos is present. Workers in these jobs are exposed to asbestos by direct contact with the substance or through secondhand exposure when workers bring home stray asbestos fibers on their hair or clothing.
The asbestos fibers can travel into the lungs where they can be inhaled and swallowed. This may cause irritation to chest cavity's lining or the pleura. In time, this may result in scar tissue or a condition called asbestosis. Asbestosis causes difficulty breathing and other health issues. In rare cases, it may cause lung tumor known as mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma may be caused by asbestos exposure, even if it is temporary. However, the disease generally takes between 15 and 40 years to develop after the initial exposure. Men are more likely than women to be affected by mesothelioma as the risk increases with the age. A family history of the disease increases the chance of developing it.
While other factors have been linked to mesothelioma, including radiation, erionite and zeolites, asbestos remains the main cause of this serious cancer. If you've been exposed to asbestos and you are experiencing symptoms, consult your physician immediately. You may be able to file an asbestos compensation claim to pay for treatment and other costs. Talk to a lawyer about your options. A lawyer with experience handling mesothelioma claims can explain your legal rights and the process for filing an action. Early diagnosis and treatment for mesothelioma is essential. It is best to seek treatment in an expert mesothelioma hospital.
Radiation exposure
Mesothelioma can be found in the thin layer of tissue that protects and covers internal organs (mesothelium). The most common type affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity called the pleura. Other, rarer types occur in the tissues surrounding the heart and the testicles. People who have worked with asbestos may also develop mesothelioma within their abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or around the intestines and colon (pericardial mesothelioma).
The majority of cases of mesothelioma is due to asbestos exposure which is a collection of minerals that have microscopic fibers. Historically asbestos was mined due to its strength and durability. It was also used for the construction of brakes, insulation for buildings and other products. When asbestos fibers break down, they may become airborne. They can also be swallowed. Ingestion of fibers can harm cells DNA and trigger out-of-control cell growth. Mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after exposure.
The exposure to radiation has been linked with mesothelioma too. Radiation can cause harm to mesothelioma sufferers because it causes damage to mesothelium. Mesothelioma researchers are studying whether mesothelioma is caused by genetic mutations, cellular changes or both. In some studies, mesothelioma sufferers have inherited a mutation within a gene that increases their risk for developing the disease.
The treatment for mesothelioma involves removing the cancerous tissue or administering chemotherapy and other medicines to kill or shrink cancerous cells and keep them from expanding. Doctors may also opt for targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other treatments to improve mesothelioma patients their quality of life.
The best way to diagnose mesothelioma is by having physical examination and other tests. Imaging tests such as X rays as well as computed-tomography scans (CT) and positron emissions tomography are also available. Blood samples can measure levels of certain chemicals released by mesothelioma cells. These tests can help doctors recognize mesothelioma earlier when it is more likely to be treated.
The mesothelioma experts at Asbestos.com are available to discuss your options for treatment. Our mesothelioma experts are able attend all major mesothelioma international and national conferences, and are up-to-date on the most current treatments research, clinical trials and research. We can connect you with the best medical specialists and legal representation to get you the best possible care.
Genetics
The thin layer of tissues surrounding most of the internal organs of the body is where mesothelioma begins to develop. The cancerous mesothelioma may begin in the tissue layer that surrounds each lung (pleural mesothelioma) or in the tissue that surrounds the stomach and the heart (peritoneal mesothelioma).
The genes of the person determine the extent to which their immune system is able to fight cancer, and how quickly cancerous tumors can develop. If a gene is damaged, it can cause overexpression or underexpression of proteins that regulate cell growth and division. If these proteins are expressed too much, they can lead to cancerous cells that grow and multiply in uncontrolled ways.
Asbestos is a known cause for mesothelioma. However, not everyone exposed to asbestos develops cancer. In certain cases mesothelioma could be genetic. This means that people with certain genetic mutations have greater risk of developing this type cancer. Research is still being conducted to determine the relationship between mesothelioma's genetic factors, hereditary factors, and genetic mutations.
Scientists have discovered that there are many mesothelioma types. Each has its own unique reasons. Certain types are more aggressive than others and have a less favorable prognosis. By using gene expression testing to analyze the genetic makeup of cancer doctors can help patients better understand their mesothelioma and how it could affect them.
These tests can help doctors determine the severity of a patient's mesothelioma will be and how it has spread. They can also determine whether there are high levels of genes that create immune-suppressing proteins, like PD-L1 and B7. If doctors have this information, they can utilize medications that stimulate the immune system to stop mesothelioma from spreading.
While there is no conclusive connection between hereditary causes and mesothelioma cancer, researchers believe that these genes play a role in between 20 and 30 percent of mesothelioma cases. As more information becomes available about mesothelioma, and its causes, those with a history asbestos exposure should think about the possibility of genetic testing. This is particularly true when a family member has been diagnosed with the disease.
Enjoy the Life you live
A person's lifestyle can affect their risk of being diagnosed with cancer. The majority of cancers are caused a series genetic mutations that accumulate in cells. These abnormal cells multiply and expand out of control. They grow and develop into tumors that may invade surrounding healthy tissue. Mesothelioma is one type of cancer that has many risk factors.
The mesothelioma cancerous form develops in a thin layer of tissue (mesothelium) that covers our internal organs. It is typically malignant, meaning it is cancerous and can spread if left untreated. Mesothelioma can be classified by doctors by the portion of the mesothelium that has been affected. The most common mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma. It develops around the lung lining and the chest cavity. However, it is also possible to develop mesothelioma in the abdomen's lining or around the heart.
The signs of mesothelioma generally are not evident until the disease has advanced to an advanced stage. sarcomatoid mesothelioma causes can include a persistent, dry cough and chest pains and abdomen and weight loss, a high fever, and breathing difficulties. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most frequently used treatments for mesothelioma. Other options for treatment include the combination of these methods, immunotherapy and emerging methods like tumor-removal fields and virotherapy. These methods can be used to fight mesothelioma and prolong the duration of its survival. But, regardless of which mesothelioma treatment is employed patients must be aware that the disease is a rare one.