Is Mesothelioma Only Caused by Asbestos?
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that affects the thin layer of tissues that line various organs within the body, most often the lung (pleural mesothelioma) along with the intestines, the heart and lungs. People exposed to asbestos are at higher risk.
Asbestos is a group of minerals that create long and thin fibers. It was used in commercial, military and residential products throughout the 20th century, even though manufacturers were aware of the dangers, but kept it to make the most profit.
Causes
Asbestos is an organic mineral that is impervious to heat and chemical wear. In the past, asbestos was used in the production of various commercial and household products, such as insulation, floor tiles and brake linings. Asbestos can be dangerous, however, because it breaks into tiny, needlelike fibers which can irritate organ tissues and lead to cancerous cell growth.
Mesothelioma is more common in those who work with asbestos or are exposed on the job or at home. 70 percent to 80% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma had an asbestos-related exposure history. Symptoms usually appear between 20 and 50 years after the initial asbestos exposure. People who have mesothelioma-related relatives are also at a higher risk of developing it.
Asbestos fibers can get into the lung when exposed. These fibers can then be transported to the pleura or the lining around the lungs, and cause irritation to it. In time, this may cause pleural inflammation, which may lead to fluid buildup in the lungs and cause pleural effusion. This can cause breathing difficulties.
Mesothelioma can also develop in the tissues that connect the abdomen, intestines and heart. The majority of mesothelioma patient has had exposure to asbestos at work. This kind of exposure is different from the situation where a person is exposed to asbestos in their home, such as when family members remove asbestos-containing insulation from the walls and ceilings of their homes.
Researchers are studying whether certain genes can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. However, even with these genes, one must be exposed to asbestos in order to develop mesothelioma. Rare mesothelioma cases are linked to minerals like silica and Erionite that are associated with asbestos. Certain individuals may be more susceptible to mesothelioma due to the way they break down asbestos. This is not a known factor and does not explain the difference between a patient who develops mesothelioma versus another.
Symptoms
Exposure to asbestos can cause cancer mesothelioma to develop in any of the body's linings. It can also form in the lungs, abdomen or in the heart (pleural mesothelioma). In some cases, it can form in the testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma).
The symptoms of mesothelioma usually appear slowly over a long period of. The initial symptoms of mesothelioma could be misinterpreted as other diseases. It can take between 20 and 50 years for symptoms to develop, meaning someone could have been exposed to asbestos exposure for years before the development of mesothelioma. The cancer can spread to various organs of the body in roughly the same time.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are difficulty breathing, coughing, and chest pain. Other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. Fluid in the lungs is the most frequent sign (pleural effusion). Pleural mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs and chest cavity called the pleura. The cancer causes the lining to become thicker, making it difficult for the lungs to expand during breathing.
A biopsy and some tests can aid in diagnosing the presence of pleural mesothelioma. A biopsy can identify 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 further tests. The specialist can do the biopsy in an outpatient setting. The patient is able to leave the hospital the same day.
Mesothelioma is still rare however it is vital to get diagnosed as soon as possible. There is no cure for the disease, however treatment can manage symptoms and reduce its severity.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that have thin and flexible fibers. Asbestos is strong, fire-resistant and doesn't conduct electricity, which is why it was utilized in a variety of industrial applications including building materials, insulation ships, brakes, ships and some kinds of flooring. Exposure can occur when these products get dusty and begin to break down. When inhaled or ingested, the asbestos fibers can cause irritation which can lead to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent up until a few decades after the initial exposure. It can affect the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
The only way to determine mesothelioma is to test it with medical tests. The doctor will assess the patient and ask about their work history. They may also conduct imaging tests to check the abdomen or chest for any abnormalities. These tests may include X-rays or CT scans.
If mesothelioma is a possibility, doctors will take a sample of the tissue or fluid for further testing. They will search for cancerous cells under a microscope in order to determine what kind of mesothelioma patient has. There are three types of mesothelioma namely epithelioid (most common), Sarcomatoid (second most common) and biphasic. The epithelioid form accounts for 70 percent of mesothelioma cases. The sarcomatoid is the least common type. The biphasic type can be a mixture of the two types and can be more difficult to treat than any type separately.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are based on the type, stage and severity of the disease. Some types of mesothelioma can be more aggressive than others. Patients with late-stage disease have a lower chance of survival.
Patients with mesothelioma can also be treated with chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. These treatments can be painful and cause negative side effects, such as nausea fatigue, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. However, these side effects are often temporary and can be controlled with medication or other methods. Some patients will also undergo radiation therapy following surgery to kill cancerous cells that surgeons missed.
Prognosis
Despite its widespread use in industries and its reputation as a highly durable and cost-effective material, asbestos is known to cause several kinds of serious medical conditions. One of these conditions is mesothelioma, which is a condition that affects the linings of certain organs and structures, like the lungs stomach, testicles and the heart. Symptoms of mesothelioma typically take decades to appear but treatment can treat the disease and lessen symptoms.
Asbestos fibers are microscopic and can be absorbed by the body. They can then become trapped within certain tissues. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used for centuries in various products, from textiles to insulation.
When asbestos is disturbed it is then airborne. It can be taken in or eaten. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause irritation to lung cells damaging DNA and causing malignancy. After ingestion, the asbestos fibers are digested, and then move through the digestive tract and eventually to the outer abdominal lining (peritoneum) which is where they could also cause inflammation and cause mesothelioma.
Asbestos exposure can also happen through contact with another person, such as living in a home where someone has worked with asbestos. Family members may be exposed if workers bring home stray asbestos fibers on their clothes hair, skin and. The risk of developing mesothelioma is also increased by having a family history of the disease.
There are two types of mesothelioma - both pleural and peritoneal. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the lining of the chest and lungs. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type. Peritoneal mesothelioma forms when the asbestos fibers get into the lining around the abdominal organs and cavity. This mesothelioma type is more frequent than pleural and affects the lining in the abdomen.
Asbestos, which is a highly toxic mineral, is a cause of cancers of different types and also other diseases like mesothelioma or lung cancer. However, asbestos' risks were not widely known until the 1980s, when manufacturers started to realize its dangers. Prior to that asbestos was primarily used by blue-collar industry and the causes of mesothelioma military in products like flooring, roofing and brake linings.