Mesothelioma Caused by ArsenicLong-term arsenic exposure may result in symptoms such as needles and pins in the fingers and toes, garlic smell on the skin and breath, as well as changes in the pigmentation of your skin. It may also increase the risk of lung carcinoma.Arsenic exposure is typically through drinking contaminated water or eating food grown in soils that are contaminated. It can also be found at work, or from working on asbestos-related projects.CausesArsenic occurs naturally in many areas of our ecosystem. The human body needs it in small quantities to function properly, however excessive exposure can cause serious health problems. Exposure for long periods can lead to mesothelioma and other cancers, as well as lung diseases and heart disease. Exposure can occur when people work in certain industries, or eating food items that are contaminated. This element can also be found in soil and in water, specifically in areas where smelting and mining have occurred.Inorganic arsenic can be found in high levels in the groundwater of several countries including Argentina, Bangladesh China, India, and Mexico. Consuming water that is contaminated or eating plants that have been irrigated with arsenic-contaminated water are among the most frequent sources of exposure. It is consumed in the form of fish, shellfish meat and dairy products.Exposure to arsenic can trigger short-term symptoms like skin coloration nausea and diarrhea however, the most hazardous consequences are caused by prolonged or long-term exposure. It has been associated with an increased risk of kidney, bladder, and skin cancers. Heart disease and diabetes are also associated. Exposure can also impact the person's intelligence and cognitive capabilities.Research has revealed that arsenic interferes with the body's endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis and guiding growth and development, so interference could have wide-ranging consequences. Scientists have been able to prove that even very low levels of exposure can alter the endocrine system and trigger various health issues.Arsenic exposure can occur during the use of products that contain the substance for example, metal-based pesticides and wood treatment chemicals. Arsenic can also be consumed in water or food items that are contaminated such as rice. TOXMAP is a well-known online tool that provides details about arsenic contamination in the United States. It has marked-up maps of the nation and details about the locations of chemical releases from government agencies. Local testing services are available to determine the presence of arsenic.Signs and symptomsMesothelioma is a rare kind of cancer that affects the lining of our body's organs, such as the lung. It takes years to develop and is most often diagnosed in patients who have been exposed to asbestos. Patients may experience a range of symptoms, such as chest pain, coughing and shortness of breath. Making sure you have a mesothelioma-specific diagnosis is the first step to receiving treatment that can increase life expectancy and improve the quality of life. A wrong diagnosis can hinder the process and lead to delays in the delivery of effective treatments.The latency period of lung cancer caused by arsenic differs from asbestos and the radon. The carcinogen affects cells in different ways. Arsenic, radon, and asbestos target the cells that line lungs. Arsenic targets cells from other areas. This difference, according to a new study, could explain why the risk of developing cancer caused by arsenic is high even after exposure has been stopped.This study focused on people living in northern Chile who were exposed to high levels of arsenic in their municipal water supply. River water containing high concentrations of the mineral was diverted to Antofagasta, the capital of Antofagasta for 13 years starting in the 1950s. This resulted in increased cancer rates in this region of the country, which included higher incidences of lung and bladder cancer.Although asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause however, other minerals can cause the disease, including mercury, lead, and tin. Asbestos is comprised of microscopic fibers that can be easily inhaled. These fibres can cause damage to the lungs by causing irritation and generating abnormal cancerous cells. It can take between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma to grow after exposure to asbestos.Doctors employ a variety of tests to identify mesothelioma. These include a physical examination and blood tests and imaging scans. A patient's physician may recommend a specialist to perform these tests. These tests can aid in confirming the diagnosis of mesothelioma as well as determine whether it has spread to a different part of the body. Imaging scans can include X-rays CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and PET (positron emission tomography). Doctors can also request the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy is done by removing a small amount of tissue or fluid from the tumor. It is then examined under a microscope to detect cancerous cells.DiagnosisMesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues surrounding organs. It is typically found in the tissue (pleura) of the lungs, but can also affect the tissues around the abdomen and heart. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which can occur at the workplace or in construction materials. Asbestos is an assortment of minerals that can be separated into long, thin fibers. These fibres can be breathed in and cause mesothelioma when they enter the lung. Asbestos can also be sucked up and swallowed, which can lead to peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma may take 20 to 60 years or more to develop following exposure to asbestos.Many other chemicals can also cause mesothelioma. Arsenic is found in contaminated water supplies, in certain types of waste and even in some food items. Asbestos can be spread through secondary exposure. For instance, people with asbestos on their clothing and equipment, they pass the fibers on to their families. People who work in occupations which require long-term exposure to asbestos, such as shipyard workers and miners, are more at risk of being exposed. Mesothelioma can occur in people who have never been exposed to asbestos at work.The unique situation of northern Chile makes it an ideal area to study long-term latency patterns in arsenic-related ailments. The largest city in the region, Antofagasta, received high levels of arsenic in its drinking water between 1958 and 1970. mesothelioma is caused by dropped following the installation of a treatment plant.Researchers found that exposure to arsenic is associated with cancer in a case-control study involving 223 lung cancer cases along with 306 bladder cancers as well as 640 age and gender-matched controls. They also found that lung SqCCs associated with arsenic exposure exhibited distinctive genomic alterations not seen in non-arsenic-associated lung cancers.These findings can aid public health officials in planning strategies to reduce long-term risk and obtaining the resources required to implement these strategies. They may also help improve the screening process for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is diagnosed with X-rays and blood tests, along with an exploratory procedure known as biopsy.TreatmentMesothelioma, a rare form of cancer which can be fatal, affects the tissues around vital organs such as the abdomen or lungs. The disease is usually caused by exposure to asbestos fibers however, it can also be caused by the result of contaminated water sources or other environmental pollutants. Mesothelioma is diagnosed by a doctor following imaging scans and blood tests are conducted. Patients suffering from mesothelioma must inform their oncologists about any asbestos exposures they've had in the past to avoid an incorrect diagnosis.Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pains, and trouble breathing. Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma than females, and it can take up to 40 years for the disease to manifest after exposure. Mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. However, this is not available to everyone suffering from mesothelioma. Therefore, patients must seek advice from a specialist.A recent study of mesothelioma patients in northern Chile found that arsenic-related oxidative stress triggers the disease. The oxidative stress causes the formation of free radicals, which can damage DNA and increase the risk of mesothelioma and other illnesses. Arsenic compounds such as arsenite and arsenate interfere with the cellular processes and can interfere with transport of phosphate. This may result in a depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane and glutathione depletion, which can increase free radical production.Asbestos and arsenic as well as radon are all recognized lung carcinogens, causing various molecular changes. These include mutations and epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation. Arsenic and asbestos have been associated with pleural mesothelioma which is the most common mesothelioma. When fibres are breathed in or coughed into the lungs, they can cause peritoneal cancer.As opposed to the majority of other areas that are highly exposed in the world, northern Chile only has a few large water supplies for the public that are well-known arsenic concentrations with extensive historic records. These factors made it possible to generate precise estimates of the lifetime exposure of the study's subjects. With this information researchers were able establish clear dose-response correlations between arsenic exposure and bladder cancers, in both smokers and nonsmokers. The results revealed an increase in the risk of developing cancer as arsenic levels in drinking water increased.