Mesothelioma - What is Mesothelioma Caused From?Mesothelioma is a virulent form of cancer that generally results from exposure to asbestos. It usually attacks the lining of organs in the chest and abdomen.Asbestos is a class of microfibers that were used extensively in the construction industry. It takes around 20 years for mesothelioma develop following exposure to asbestos.Exposure to AsbestosMesothelioma affects the linings of organs. It is most common in the lungs and abdomen. It is a kind of malignant mesothelial tumor that can take anywhere from 15 to 50 years after exposure to develop. Asbestos is a group of minerals that have micro-sized fibers. It was extensively used construction material and for other products due to its resistance to heat, fire and chemical.Exposure to asbestos is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. As high as 80% of mesothelioma patients were exposed at work. Those who worked with asbestos, especially those who handled it on a regular basis have the highest chance of developing mesothelioma. However, those with no asbestos-related history and have lived near an asbestos site could also be at risk. They may be exposed to asbestos by inhaling airborne particles or from dust they bring home on their clothes or hair.People who have been exposed to asbestos can develop symptoms of mesothelioma at any time in their lives. These symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and a pleural effusion on the lungs (pleural effusion). Mesothelioma typically takes between 30 and 50 years to develop after the initial exposure to asbestos.Asbestos can cause mesothelioma when asbestos fibers become stuck in different areas of the body. When the asbestos fibers get stuck in the lungs' lining, it causes pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos that gets stuck in the stomach's lining (peritoneum) can cause mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, and asbestos that is stuck to the lining of the heart can cause pericardial mesothelioma.People who were in the military are at greater risk of mesothelioma since all branches of the military used asbestos extensively on bases as well as in planes, ships, and vehicles. Veterans who worked in the Navy's engine rooms and gun turrets and electrical systems for instance are more likely to have been exposed to asbestos. The most commonly encountered mesothelioma types are the pleural and peritoneal but it can also affect any body part. Patients with mesothelioma are advised to discuss their asbestos history with their doctors.Exposure to ErioniteThe disease is usually caused by asbestos fibres. However, in rare instances, the disease has been linked to erionite a mineral closely related to asbestos. Erionite is a kind of zeolite that's naturally occurring and is part of the same mineral family as asbestos, is an black or brown color. Erionite can be brown or black in colour and contains needle-like fibers that can penetrate the lungs and lodge inside the body. In a recent study researchers found that pleural mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the lung) was more common in the villages of Central Anatolia, Turkey, where the erionite contamination was very high. The mesothelioma caused by erionite was caused by the inhalation of the mineral's fine, needle-like fibres.The researchers compared erionite and asbestos and concluded that it was more mesotheliomagenic than the asbestos-related minerals. The researchers then looked into the pulmonary diseases of patients from these villages, and found that erionite was the cause of the disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma include breathing problems, pleural effusion on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite and weight and a blockage in the intestines as a result of the accumulation of fluid.Erionite was not widely recognized as a mesothelioma risk in North America until recently because symptoms of the disease can take many years to manifest. However, the discovery that many residents of western North Dakota have been breathing in erionite-contaminated gravel dust for decades has prompted concern about this new mesothelioma risk.The erionite you'll find in the southwestern United States is a fibrous variety that's been mined for road construction and is used as an ingredient in the masonry cement. The findings of the researchers show that fine dust particles of erionite are released by machinery into the air and then become airborne after they dry. Air samples collected in North Dakota along roadside and inside vehicles were comparable to or higher than the concentrations in Boyali in Turkey, where erionite exposure was responsible for 6.25 percent mesothelioma related deaths. Experts are unable to determine if people living in the United States are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma until the exposure to erionite within the United States has been properly evaluated.Exposure to RadiationRadiation is the energy that is released by atoms. It can travel in waves or particles throughout the body. Certain kinds of radiation can cause cancer, like high-energy X-rays used to diagnose pulmonary mesothelioma and chest CT scans performed on patients suffering from mesothelioma peritoneal. Inhaling radioactive particles may increase the chance of developing mesothelioma. These particles are more likely to be found in the lung. Doctors may also use low-dose radiotherapy to treat mesothelioma patients with a pleural form of the disease.Mesothelioma may occur in the lung's lining (pleura) or in the lining around the organs in the stomach (peritoneum). It is most often malignant, and can be detected at any stage of progression. The cancer is categorized by stages and Stage 1 is localized and affecting only the area of the mesothelium from where it started. Stage 4 mesothelioma, on the contrary, has spread to different areas of the body.Mesothelioma symptoms may include abdominal or chest discomfort, coughing and difficulty breathing. These symptoms may not be evident until the cancer has advanced to a stage when it becomes more easy to recognize. Patients suffering from mesothelioma suffer combination symptoms, such as breathlessness and weight loss, as well as fatigue. The lungs are most affected, but it can also affect the brain, heart and other organs.The treatment for mesothelioma consists of radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. A doctor can determine the best treatment plan for patients based on the type of cancer, its stage and genetics.Smoking or having relatives who suffer from the disease could increase the risk of having mesothelioma. About 1% of mesothelioma cases are genetic which means that the cancer can be passed from parents to children through genes. Doctors may use a patient's family background to determine the best tests for them. A few of the most commonly used tests include MRI which makes use of powerful magnets and radio waves to create precise images of soft tissues within the body, as well as positron emission imaging (PET), which injects a small amount of an element that is radioactive, and then captures images of cancerous cells. The cancer cells will absorb the radioactive compound and show up brighter than surrounding tissue on the images.GeneticsMany cancers have a genetic link and that's why it's important to know your family history. It will help doctors discover genes or mutations which could increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos is the main risk factor.Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers sharply penetrate cells and disrupt a cell's natural balance of DNA. Mesothelial cancer cells multiply uncontrollably and clump together to form tumors. This is the reason mesothelioma can affect so many different areas of the body.Mesothelioma is treated by doctors through chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Treatment depends on the type of cancer, the site it began, and whether the cancer has spread.X-rays and CT scans are used to look for symptoms of mesothelioma. For instance, the accumulation of calcium on the lung lining or in the chest cavity. Doctors can also conduct blood tests to determine if cancerous cells are growing and if they've spread.The mesothelioma can start in the tissue around your organs or lining your abdomen (peritoneal). Both pleural and abdominal mesothelioma may occur simultaneously.Immunotherapy and targeted therapies such as surgery, such an pleural biopsy, or a pleural pleurectomy, are among the most commonly used treatments for mesothelioma. However some patients prefer chemotherapy or other drug therapies.Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help those suffering from mesothelioma receive the amount of compensation they deserve. These funds can be used to pay funeral expenses, medical expenses as well as other costs related to the disease.Contacting a mesothelioma attorney is important if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with the disease. Our team can assist you to determine if you're eligible to file a lawsuit against mesothelioma. They can also provide the best legal representation. cause of mesothelioma lung cancer offer free, no obligation consultations. Contact us today or fill out the contact form on this page to learn more about how we can assist you. We offer services to clients throughout the United States.