Causes of Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos
While asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause however, it has been linked to other factors like erionite SV40 and radiation. Knowing these other causes can aid doctors in identifying and diagnosing the disease earlier.
Asbestos fibers can lodge in the chest cavity's linings when people inhale them. The needle-like fibers can cause DNA damage to mesothelial cells. This can result in mesothelioma tumors.
1. Silica
The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos. However, exposure to other mineral fibers and certain chemicals can also trigger mesothelioma, especially peritoneal mesothelio. Silica is a natural element that occurs as sand and crystals. Silica-based workers working in construction, mining or hydraulic fracturing may be exposed to particles in the air that belong to this chemical. These particles may be breathed deeply into the lungs which can cause irritation to the lung tissue. The irritation may change the DNA of surrounding cells which can cause cancer.
The risk of developing mesothelioma is increased when a person has silica exposure as well as asbestos exposure. Asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause, and silica is less likely cause peritoneal cancer.
Most people with a mesothelioma history were exposed to asbestos while at work. Asbestos was utilized in construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding activities throughout much of the United States, allowing asbestos fibers to enter workplaces. Workers in these industries breathed or ingested the fibers on equipment and clothing as they were released into air. Workers carried the fibers home on their clothes and exposed their families as well.
Asbestos fibers, once they enter the body become stuck in the mesothelium lining that covers the lungs and organs. These needle-like particles irritated the tissues for years, until the DNA of nearby cells changed and cancer grew. Symptoms of mesothelioma can take up to 60 years before they show up.
Avoiding asbestos exposure is the best way to prevent mesothelioma. Follow the safety guidelines for your workplace and report any potential asbestos-related dangers. Don't bring your work clothes or gear that could contain asbestos. Hire a professional asbestos abatement to examine your home. Avoid purchasing antiques or products that could be made from asbestos. Instead, buy cosmetics and personal-care items that are free of talc. Consult your physician about mesothelioma tests if you have an asbestos-related past.
2. Erionite
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was employed in a variety of industrial applications before being banned. Its use was stopped after scientific and medical evidence linking asbestos to mesothelioma was uncovered. The link was not fully understood until much later. This is why a lot of the people diagnosed with mesothelioma develop the disease due to being exposed to asbestos.
Although asbestos remains a major mesothelioma cause however, other substances have been linked to the cancer. mesothelioma asbestosis of these is erionite, which is a fibrous zeolite mined in the United States. Numerous studies have demonstrated that mesothelioma can be caused by erionite. Researchers have discovered that erionite can alter the balance between cell proliferative (and abnormal DNA repair) and apoptosis. This is a normal process for eliminating proliferating or transformed cells.
After exposure to asbestos for the first time, it may take many years before someone develops mesothelioma. During this time it is often difficult to determine whether the disease was caused by asbestos or a different reason for exposure. Mesothelioma can also form in lungs that have been damaged by other lung diseases, for instance asbestos.
Due to these limitations, it is crucial to examine the history of a mesothelioma patient to determine if they were exposed to asbestos or erionite. This can be done by the review of chest radiographs as well as CT scanners, as well as by analyzing biomarkers for mesothelioma such as the presence of pleural nodules as well as plaques in the pleural cavity.
The most well-known mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. Other types can occur in the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) and testicles (peritoneal and mesothelioma testicular) and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).

The majority of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos while at work, mostly because they worked in industries that employed the dangerous material. However it is possible to develop the disease through secondhand exposure as well. This occurs when workers carry asbestos fibers home on their clothes and equipment, which expose family members to the harmful substance. The mesothelioma type is typically less severe than the asbestos-related type of the disease.
3. Other Minerals
Asbestos is one of the most dangerous natural substances found on earth however it's not the only factor that causes mesothelioma. Other minerals such as silica or Erionite are also associated with the cancer. Asbestos is by far the most well-known cancer-causing element.
Asbestos can irritate the tissues that are found in the chest cavity the abdomen, chest and testes, resulting in mesothelioma-related tumors. The most common exposure to asbestos results from working with the material, particularly during building renovations and mining. Even exposure to asbestos from secondhand sources can cause the disease. Certain people could develop mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos-containing products like brake pads and insulation.
The process that causes mesothelioma is complicated and involves a number of steps. First, the asbestos fibers have to be removed from their original place. This usually happens in the course of building construction, mining and ship or vehicle maintenance. Workers then inhale or inhale the fibers, which adhere to the lining of the lungs and thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, and peritoneum. Mesothelioma is a result of the cells within the linings begin to change and develop into malignant tumors.
Most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma had an asbestos-related exposure history. Previous exposure is usually responsible for 70% to 80% of the cases. This is due to the fact that it takes between 20 and 20 years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Other factors, including gender, sex, age and sex can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma.
A family history of the disease increases the likely that you will get it. This is due to the fact that families can inherit genetic mutations which make them more vulnerable to certain illnesses, such as mesothelioma.
Researchers have studied many potential causes of mesothelioma. However, asbestos is the most frequent cause. Certain studies have revealed that only a tiny percentage of mesotheliomas can be attributed to asbestos. This may be due to different study designs, differing opinions on what occupations require significant asbestos exposure, and different methods of using amphibole and chrysotile asbestos between countries. In addition, mesotheliomas that occur spontaneously are a lesser percentage of mesothelioma patients than is currently known.
4. Other Chemicals
Many asbestos-related diseases develop as an outcome of exposure to a variety of chemicals. Examples include silica, erionite and other chemicals. Although these chemicals do not cause mesothelioma directly but they can cause irritation to the mesothelium and increase risk of cancer. This is particularly the case when mesothelioma cancer cells change. Coughing, chest pain, abdominal pain, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are all symptoms of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma usually occurs as a result of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a grouping of strong, microscopic fibers that are extremely durable. Asbestos was widely used throughout the 1930s and into the 1980s in a variety of products due to its resistance against fire, heat and sound. The companies knew it was toxic but did not tell the public.
Asbestos exposure can lead to a variety of mesothelioma types. The most prevalent kind is called pleural mesothelioma which develops around the lung. It may also occur in the chest lining (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum). A rare mesothelioma type, called testicular mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers penetrate the testes' lining.
Mesothelioma is most common in those who have been exposed to asbestos through occupational or environmental exposure. Mesothelioma can also develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos indirectly by handling the work clothes of another person or household materials. Some patients develop mesothelioma following radiation treatment to treat a different cancer.
Mesothelioma can be a slow-growing disease that isn't apparent until the later stages. This is why it's important for patients to be attentive and consult their doctor if they experience any unusual or persistent symptoms. A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients understand the symptoms and obtain a proper diagnosis. Patients should request their oncologist to refer them to a specialist for mesothelioma to avoid misdiagnosis. This will ensure that they receive the best treatment.