How is Mesothelioma Caused?Most people with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos. Exposure can occur while working with asbestos or living with someone that has been exposed to asbestos.Breathlessness (pleural effusion), abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss and the buildup of fluid are all signs of mesothelioma. Several tests can help diagnose the condition.Exposure to AsbestosMesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres are inhaled. These fibres find their way into the tissues of the chest (pleura) as well as the abdomen (peritoneum) and the heart (pericardium). Once they're there, they start to irritate the tissue and trigger gene changes (mutations) that can cause cancerous tumours.Asbestos exposure is the most common mesothelioma-related risk factor. People who worked with asbestos in schools, factories and ships are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. People who were exposed at home or within the family could also be at risk.Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly encountered type of asbestos-induced cancer that affects the lungs. The formation of pericardial and peritoneal cancers is not as common however, they do occur. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not discovered until a long time after exposure to asbestos. This is because cancer cells can take a long amount of time to develop and expand.The latency period for mesothelioma is between 20 and 60 years. However, this can be longer for some types of mesothelioma than others. This is because mesothelial tissues have a distinct genetic makeup than other types and can be more susceptible to asbestos-related mutations.Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally was used in manufacturing and construction until the 1980s. It was utilized as a fire-resistant and thermal insulation. About 27 million workers could have been exposed to asbestos prior to its ban in high-risk occupations. People who served in the military, in particular navy veterans, are also at risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of their exposure to asbestos in naval shipyards and bases.Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men have a higher likelihood of working in a place in which asbestos exposure was high. Mesothelioma occurs more often in white people than in blacks.Exposure to other carcinogensMesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the organs of an individual, including the lungs, heart, and stomach. It typically begins in the lungs but may also manifest in other areas of your body. It can be hard to identify because its symptoms are similar to other diseases and conditions. The highest risk is for people who work with asbestos.There are many different kinds of mesothelioma, and their prognoses vary based on the type and location of the tumor, the fast it grows, and a patient's overall health. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed and may not be detected until it is at an advanced stage.A mesothelioma diagnosis is established when a biopsy of a mesothelioma is taken. The tissue sample is examined for mesothelioma cell presence and analyzed to see whether it is epithelioid sarcomatoid or biphasic. The epithelioid mesothelioma cell type is the most prevalent and responds best to treatment. Around 70% of mesothelioma patients are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cell lines grow faster and have a poorer prognosis. Biphasic mesothelioma is a mix of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells and makes up 30% to 40 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses.Exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma caused by smoking have been related to exposure to other substances. Certain patients have developed mesothelioma after being exposed to the zeolites (minerals associated with asbestos). Erionite is one of the minerals that can be found in certain areas of Turkey. Exposure to chest X-rays using thorium oxide has been associated with mesothelioma.Mesothelioma is a rare disease, but it is still extremely dangerous. It is only prevented by avoiding asbestos exposure. Asbestos is fibrous minerals that naturally occur. They have thin microscopic fibres. It is used in a variety of industrial, commercial and residential applications. Asbestos was a well-known construction material up until the late 1980s due to its strength and fire-resistant. The United States then banned asbestos use in all areas.GeneticsThe tissue that protects your stomach and lungs, as well as other organs, is called mesothelium. The mesothelium tissue is cancerous. It can form in the lungs, however it could also be found in the abdomen or other organs. It takes between 20 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma develop. Many asbestos-related exposures in the past are developing symptoms such as shortness of breath, fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion) or chest pain. Mesothelioma may be caused by exposure to asbestos or other minerals such as Erionite and Silica.Only a tiny percentage of people exposed to asbestos develop mesothelioma. This has led researchers to believe that genetics could play an important role. Mesothelioma experts have observed that some mesothelioma patients carry a mutation. These mutations can cause the body to produce mesothelioma cells at a greater rate than normal.Mutations in these genes can result in an overproduction of proteins that regulate cell growth or even die. Mesothelioma cells can continue to multiply and grow unabated.BRCA-associated proteins 1 (BAP1) is a gene mutation that is associated with mesothelioma. It is believed that this mutation prohibits the body from stopping precancerous mesothelioma cells from growing into cancerous ones.Another gene called SF3B1 has been linked to mesothelioma development as well. This gene is involved in the production of a protein that helps cells divide. If SF3B1 is altered it can result in the overproduction of mesothelioma cells.Other genes linked to mesothelioma include the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 or FGR2. This gene assists cell structures to grow and move. The gene could be altered to cause mesothelioma at a new location or form.Genetic research is important as it can assist doctors identify and treat mesothelioma. However, researchers haven't yet established if there is an unambiguous link between genes and mesothelioma. For this reason, it is crucial to continue the research on mesothelioma and learn more about the causes of this rare cancer.LifestyleSome cases of mesothelioma can be found in people who have never employed asbestos, or were near a site where it was used. This is known as secondary exposure. It can also be caused by exposure to other carcinogens, such as chemicals found in household products.The condition is usually advanced by the time it is diagnosed, regardless of the type. It is hard to pinpoint the root cause. Many mesothelioma patients receive treatment to relieve their symptoms and prolong life.The most common mesothelioma form affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs (pleura). It is most often caused by asbestos exposure and symptoms can be very severe. There are several different treatments available, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.Doctors differentiate mesothelioma types in accordance with the place the region where the tumor grows. For instance mesothelioma can develop around the stomach and the intestines. This is known as peritoneal msothelioma. A different mesothelioma form can occur in the linings of the heart and testicles. It is referred to as pericardial Mesothelioma.Other risk factors include smoking history and family history. The latter is particularly crucial because a person's genetics can determine the likelihood they'll develop mesothelioma. It can also influence the location where mesothelioma begins to develop and how quickly it grows.In most instances, the best method to stop mesothelioma developing is to avoid exposure to asbestos. If someone has been exposed, they should visit their physician regularly to look for any symptoms or signs of mesothelioma.People who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma must not smoke and should adhere to a healthy diet. Exercising on a regular basis can also help reduce mesothelioma risks. Mesothelioma patients can reduce their risk of developing disease by avoiding drinking too much. Men should not drink more than two alcoholic beverages daily, and women should limit their alcohol intake to one drink. In addition, doctors advise those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma to be screened for any other health conditions on regular basis. This will increase the chances of a diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment.