Is Mesothelioma Only Caused by Asbestos?Mesothelioma is a cancer that can be fatal that affects the thin layer of tissue lining many internal organs, most typically the lung (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the intestines, heart and. People who are exposed to asbestos are at greater risk.Asbestos is one of the minerals that create long, thin fibers. It was used in military, commercial and residential products throughout the 20th century, even though manufacturers were aware of the risks, but concealed it to make the most profit.CausesAsbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is resistant to heat and chemical. It was used in manufacturing various household and commercial products in the past, including insulation, floor tiles, and brake linings. Asbestos is a risk, however, because it is broken down into tiny, needle-like fibers that can cause irritation to organ tissues and lead to cancerous cell growth.People who work with asbestos or who are exposed to it at work or at home are more likely to develop mesothelioma than people who have not. Between 70 and 80% of those diagnosed with mesothelioma have a history of exposure to asbestos. It can take between 20 to 50 years for symptoms to appear after the initial exposure. People with a family member with mesothelioma also have a higher risk of developing it.If exposed to asbestos, the fibers can be inhaled into the lung. These fibers then travel to the pleura, which is the lining that surrounds the lungs and may cause irritation to it. As time passes, this can cause pleural disease, which may lead to the lungs to build up fluid which is a condition known as pleural effusion. This can make it difficult to breathe.Mesothelioma may also develop in tissues that line the heart, abdomen or intestines. The majority of mesothelioma patient has been exposed asbestos while at work. This type of asbestos exposure is different from that of a person who is exposed at home to asbestos, such as when family members remove asbestos containing insulation from their ceilings and walls.Scientists are studying whether certain genes may increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. However regardless of these genes, a person must be exposed to asbestos in order to develop mesothelioma. Rare mesothelioma cases are linked to minerals like silica or Erionite that are associated with asbestos. It is also possible that certain people are more susceptible to develop mesothelioma because of the way their bodies break down asbestos. This isn't a well-known risk factor, however, and doesn't explain why one person would develop the disease while another might not.SymptomsAsbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma cancer to develop in any of the body's linings. It can also develop in the lung (pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen, or even the heart. In some cases, it can form in the testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma).The symptoms of mesothelioma usually manifest slowly over a long period of. The early symptoms of mesothelioma could be misinterpreted as signs of other illnesses. It can take between 20 and 30 years to manifest, meaning a person may have had asbestos exposure for years before the mesothelioma disease was discovered. The cancer spreads to different areas of the human body in roughly the same time.Chest pain, coughing, and difficulty breathing are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. Other symptoms include weight loss, fatigue and abdominal pain. Fluid in the lungs is the most frequently reported manifestation (pleural effusion). Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung lining and chest cavity, also known as the pleura. The cancer thickens the lining which makes it difficult for the lungs expand when breathing.Doctors can diagnose pleural melanoma by taking a sample of tissue from the affected area and conducting some tests. A biopsy can reveal the type of mesothelioma malignant and the extent to which it has spread and whether it's benign or malignant.If doctors suspect that the patient is suffering from mesothelioma, they may refer them to a specialist who will perform more tests. The specialist can conduct the biopsy as an outpatient. The patient can leave the hospital the same day.Mesothelioma may be rare but it's crucial to be detected as soon as possible. There is no cure for the disease, but treatment can manage symptoms and reduce its severity.TreatmentMesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals containing thin elastic fibers. Asbestos is durable, fire-resistant and doesn't conduct electricity so it was used in a variety of industrial applications including building materials, insulation, ships, brakes and flooring of various kinds. Exposure can occur when these materials become dusty and break down. Inhaling or ingestion of the asbestos fibers may cause irritation that leads to mesothelioma. The symptoms of mesothelioma usually are not evident until years after exposure. It can affect the lung linings, the stomach and the heart.The only way to identify mesothelioma is to test it with medical tests. The doctor will examine the patient and ask about their work history. They will also perform imaging tests to examine the chest or abdomen for any abnormalities. These tests may include X-rays or CT scans.If mesothelioma diagnoses are possible doctors will collect an in-depth sample of the affected tissue or fluid for further testing. Under a microscope, they will look for cancerous cells to determine the type of mesothelioma that the patient has. There are three kinds of mesothelioma: epithelioid (most popular), the sarcomatoid (second most common) and biphasic. 70 percent of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. The sarcomatoid is the less common type. The biphasic form is a combination of the two types previously mentioned and can be harder to treat than either separately.Mesothelioma treatment options vary based on the type of mesothelioma, stage of the disease and other factors. Certain mesothelioma types can be more aggressive than others. Patients suffering from late-stage disease have a lower chance of survival.Mesothelioma patients may also undergo surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy to treat the condition. These treatments can be painful and can cause side effects such as nausea and vomiting, fatigue and difficulty breathing. These side effects can be managed through medication or other methods. Some patients will also receive radiation treatment after surgery to kill cancerous cells that surgeons missed.PrognosisAsbestos has been known to cause serious medical problems despite its widespread use and its reputation as a long-lasting and cost-effective product. Mesothelioma is one of these diseases. It manifests on the linings of organs and structures like the lungs and heart. The symptoms of mesothelioma can take a long time to manifest but treatment can manage the disease and reduce symptoms. mesothelioma caused by arsenic is composed of microscopic fibers that can enter the body and become lodged in the lining of certain tissues. Asbestos is a mineral found naturally that has been used for centuries in various products, from textiles to insulation.When asbestos is disturbed, it becomes airborne. It can then be inhaled or eaten. Inhaling the asbestos fibers get deposited in the lungs where they can cause irritation to cells until they damage DNA and develop into malignant. Asbestos fibers are absorbed by the stomach and travel into the lining of the stomach (peritoneum) and can cause inflammation and mesothelioma.The exposure to asbestos from secondhand sources is also possible when you live in a house in which someone has worked with asbestos. Workers can expose family members to asbestos fibers if they bring home stray fibers from their clothing, skin or hair. The risk of mesothelioma is also increased by having a family history of the disease.There are two kinds of mesothelioma - both pleural and peritoneal. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the lining of the chest and the lungs. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers get into the lining around the abdominal organs and cavity. This mesothelioma type is more common than pleural and affects the lining in the abdomen.Asbestos, which is a highly toxic mineral, is a cause of cancers of all kinds as well as other diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Unfortunately, the asbestos dangers were not widely known until the beginning of the 1980s when manufacturers realized asbestos's dangers. Up until then asbestos was being used by blue-collar workers and the military in products such as flooring, roofs and brake linings.