Mesothelioma is Caused by Exposure to AsbestosMesothelioma is mostly caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of organs and can cause DNA damage, which causes mesothelioma cancers.Workers who work with asbestos take these tiny fibers home on their clothing, hair and tools which puts loved ones at risk of secondhand exposure. The chemicals in the clothes of their spouses could cause mesothelioma.AsbestosAsbestos is a variety of minerals that occurs naturally in the form of bundles of fibers. When asbestos is agitated or broken and dissolved, the fibers could floating in the air and get inhaled. If this happens, the fibers can get into the smallest airways and irritate the lining of the lung (the pleura). The irritation may cause the cells to grow abnormally, resulting in mesothelioma-related tumors. Mesothelioma can also affect other parts of the body with a similar lining, such as the peritoneum, heart or testicles.Asbestos exposure has been linked to mesothelioma in medical records and other research. Scientists don't know why some individuals are more susceptible than others to mesothelioma. Researchers have discovered that the type of asbestos used and how much exposure a person had can impact their likelihood of developing this cancer.Chrysotile and amphibole are the most commonly used types of asbestos associated with mesothelioma. They were utilized in a variety of household and industrial products, such as drywall, pipes, insulation, cement and talcum powder. The greatest risk is for those exposed to these substances at work. They typically worked in industries like construction, electrical work, shipbuilding or military service. Men are more likely than women to develop mesothelioma, because they have historically held more jobs that involved exposure to asbestos.Asbestos fibers stick to the organs' tissues like the lungs and chest wall. They also stick to the tissue that lines the abdomen, intestines, and bowels. Mesothelium is a tough and durable material that is able to resist damage. When asbestos fibers cling to mesothelium, they can become stuck in the tissue and stay there for a long time or even longer. This can cause chronic irritation, which can eventually lead to mesothelioma cancer.Mesothelioma, as with all cancers, is caused by DNA mutations which cause cells to divide unchecked. This results in the formation of a cancerous tumor. Researchers have identified a variety of factors that can increase the risk of a person developing mesothelioma. These include a family history of the disease and prior exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a rare condition and the signs and symptoms typically don't show up for decades after exposure. Anyone with an history of exposure should consult their physician for any signs or symptoms that worry them.ErioniteThe mineral erionite is often found in conjunction with asbestos. It is also believed to cause mesothelioma which is mainly pleural mesotheli. It is also associated with cancer of the peritoneal region. is mesothelioma always caused by asbestos is a type of natural mineral that is part of the minerals group known as Zeolites. Numerous morphological studies of erionite have been performed with electron microscopy. These studies show that erionite fibers have a variable structure. They can appear as regular ribbon-like bundles or rod-like structures, based on the nanostructural features of the erionite.In a long-term study of residents in villages exposed the erionite mineral, Baris & Grandjean (2006) found the mesothelioma death rate to be significantly higher in these villages when compared to a village that was not exposed to erionite. During the 23-year period of this study, 119 mesothelioma deaths were reported in the erionite-exposed villages, and seven peritoneal mesothelioma cases were reported. The researchers concluded that erionite was much more mesotheliomagenic than any of the six amphiboles (antophyllite, actinolite, crocidolite, tremolite, and amosite) currently regulated as asbestos.It is possible that the structural similarity between asbestos and erionite could be the reason for mesothelioma. In a study on rats, mesothelioma caused by erionite showed similar cellular responses similar to that of the rats exposed to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma that was induced by erionite was correlated with increased Bax expression and a lower Fas ligand expression.The Department of Transportation in North Dakota is working with local counties as well as businesses to limit the use of gravel that contains the mineral erionite. The department continues to monitor erionite research and keep citizens of the state informed on the issue. Erionite is found in a variety of areas of the United States, including Oregon, Idaho, and Arizona. Researchers will be able to examine samples from these areas to mesotheliomagenic Erionite from Turkey if they correctly identify Erionite. This information may aid in determining the prevalence of mesothelioma within the U.S. and lead to better screening strategies and prevention strategies for those who are exposed to this substance. This work is important because mesothelioma is a disease that can develop between 30 and 60 years.SilicaSilica, also known as quartz is a common industrial substance that is naturally found in the earth's crust. It is utilized in a variety of different fields, including construction, mining, and agriculture. Based on the nature of the work inhaling silica particles could cause fatal and debilitating lung diseases known as silicosis, or even lung cancer. Silica exposure can also increase a person's chance of developing mesothelioma. This is a potentially fatal lung cancer that is found in the mesothelium.Both the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration consider inhaled crystalline silicon to be a human cancer-causing substance. There is evidence that inhaled crystalline silica can cause lung cancer. The IARC has yet to recognize the role played by silica in a cause of other cancers like mesothelioma and bladder cancer.Mesothelioma has been linked to the inhalation of two kinds of mineral fibers that are commonly used which are asbestos and mineral wool. Mesothelioma results from chronic irritation and aggregation of mesothelium. Inhaling mineral fibers such as silica or mineral wool can aggravate the mesothelium. The majority of mesothelioma cases occur in people older than 45, because it takes time for the disease to progress. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease than women due to the fact that they were exposed to asbestos and silica at work.Asbestos and silica as well as other chemicals are known as carcinogens to the lungs. Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the IARC recognize that mesothelioma and other cancers, are associated with these exposures. The mechanisms behind how carcinogens play in the development of other organ sites is less understood. The chemistry, physics and physicochemical properties of inhaled silica and asbestos particles determine their removal from the lung and how they are disseminated to other organs like the bladder.The authors of a recent study of a large sample have identified the relationship between workplace silica and asbestos exposure and the risk of bladder cancer using data from the National Enhanced Cancer Surveillance System in eight Canadian provinces. Exposures to a wide range of asbestos and silica dusts were identified in the cohort with the highest levels and frequency of exposure observed in construction, mining, quarrying, masonry and manufacturing industries.Other MineralsMinerals are solid compounds that occur naturally in the Earth. They have distinct physical and chemical properties, and most minerals have the same crystal structure. Examples include asbestos, which is a fibrous mineral, and barium. Both are soft metallic elements used in x-ray technology, fireworks, and rubber manufacturing. People exposed to these minerals at the workplace may be exposed to asbestos fibers in clothes and personal items, which are then taken home where family members can breathe them in or swallow them.Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma develop in 70 to 80 percent of cases diagnosed. However, a small number of cases have been linked to non-asbestiform substances. These minerals include slurries, erionite and other forms of silica, along with the non-asbestiform grunerite used in mining operations.The chest is where the symptoms of mesothelioma usually start. They can include swelling, pain and difficulty breathing. The disease is most likely to occur in the pleura which covers your lungs and diaphragm. The disease can also manifest in the peritoneum, which protects your stomach, intestinal tract and the lungs. In certain cases, the cancer can expand to other parts of your body.In generally, it takes 20 years or more for mesothelioma pleural to develop following exposure to asbestos. Because of this, many affected individuals do not seek medical assistance until they experience a significant symptom like persistent chest pain or a build-up of lungs-related fluid.The type of treatment you receive for mesothelioma is contingent on the severity of your condition and how far it has spread. For instance, your physician may recommend treatments to manage symptoms and extend the life of your patients. You might be prescribed powerful painkillers, or have fluid drained from your lungs in order to ease your discomfort.Your doctor will prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms and fight cancerous cells. The most popular treatment for pleural msothelioma is chemotherapy. It is used in isolation or in combination with other treatments. Other treatments include radiation and surgery. Surgery may involve removing the lung or a portion of the diaphragm, or combing it with radiation and chemotherapy.