Mesothelioma Caused by ArsenicArsenic exposure over a long period of time can result in symptoms such as pins and needles in the toes and fingers as well as a garlic smell on breath and skin, and changes in the skin's pigmentation. It also increases the risk of developing lung cancer.Arsenic is generally taken up through water that is contaminated and food items. It can also occur at work, when working on asbestos-related project.CausesArsenic is a natural element found in many aspects of our environment. The human body needs it in tiny amounts to function properly, but excessive exposure can cause serious health problems. Long-term exposure can cause mesothelioma, as well as other cancers as well as lung and heart diseases. Exposure can happen when people work in certain industries or consume contaminated food. The element is also found in soil and water, especially in areas where smelting or mining have occurred.Inorganic arsenic is found in high levels in groundwater of many countries including Argentina, Bangladesh, China, India and Mexico. The most frequent exposure is through drinking water contaminated by arsenic, or eating crops that were irrigated with arsenic contaminated water. It is consumed in the form of fish, shellfish meat and dairy products.While exposure to arsenic for a short period may cause symptoms like skin pigmentation nausea, diarrhea, and weakness, the most dangerous effects are associated with prolonged or chronic exposure. It is linked to a higher incidence of bladder, kidney and skin cancers as well as heart disease and diabetes. Exposure to radiation can also affect a person's intelligence and cognitive capabilities.Research has proven that arsenic has a negative effect on the body's endocrine system. The system that regulates the endocrine gland is responsible for ensuring that homeostasis is maintained and controlling growth and development, so interference can have a wide-ranging impact. Scientists have discovered that even low levels can affect the endocrine system and trigger many health problems.Exposure to arsenic can happen at work when workers apply a product that contains the substance, like wood treatment or pesticides containing metal chemicals. Arsenic can also be consumed in water or food items that are contaminated, like rice. A popular online tool, TOXMAP, provides users with information about the arsenic problem in the United States. It has marked-up maps of the nation and details about locations of chemical releases from government agencies. You can also test for arsenic levels in their own drinking water through an in-person testing service.Signs and symptomsMesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, can affect the linings of organs inside the body such as the lung. It can take years for the cancer to manifest and is typically diagnosed in patients with had a history of asbestos exposure. Patients may be afflicted with chest pain, coughing or shortness breath. Making sure you have a mesothelioma-specific diagnosis is the first step in receiving treatment that will increase life expectancy and improve quality of life. A mistake in diagnosis could cause the process to go off track and delay the effective treatment.The time of latency for lung cancer caused by arsenic is distinct from that of asbestos and the radon. This is due to the fact that the carcinogen affects cells in a variety of ways. Asbestos and radon act on the lung cells however arsenic targets cells in other parts of the body. A new study suggests this distinction could be the reason the risk of arsenic-related cancers remain elevated after exposure to the substance has stopped.This study focused on people living in northern Chile who were exposed to high levels arsenic through their water supply. In the 1950s, water from rivers with high levels of arsenic was diverted for 13 years to Antofagasta. This resulted in an increase in cancer rates including bladder and lung cancers over a period of 13 years, beginning in the 1950s.While asbestos is the most commonly reported mesothelioma-related cause, other minerals can also cause the disease, including tin, lead and mercury. Asbestos fibers are tiny and can easily be breathed in. These fibres can damage the lung, causing irritation and creating abnormal cancer cells. It can take between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma develop following exposure to asbestos.Doctors make use of a variety of tests to determine mesothelioma. This includes a physical examination as well as blood tests and imaging scans. A patient's GP might recommend them to a specialist for these tests, which can aid doctors in confirming the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine if it has spread to other parts of the body. Imaging scans may include X-rays (computer tomography), MRI (magnetic imaging) and PET scans (positron emission Tomography). Additionally, doctors can request a biopsy of the tumour. A biopsy involves the removal of a small amount of tissue or fluid from the mesothelioma tumor and then analysing it under a microscope to check for cancerous cells.DiagnosisMesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects organs' surrounding tissues. It is most often found in the lung's lining (pleura) but it can also occur in the tissues around the abdomen and the heart. Exposure to asbestos can be at work or in building materials. Asbestos is made up of a group minerals that can be sifted into long, thin fibers. These can be inhaled into the lungs, and can cause mesothelioma. Asbestos can be swallowed, or coughed up, which could cause peritoneal cancer. After exposure, mesothelioma can take up to 60 years to develop.Many other chemicals can also cause mesothelioma. Arsenic can be found in contaminated water supplies and in certain types of waste, and even in certain foods. Asbestos is spread by secondary exposure. For example, when people who have asbestos on their clothing or equipment, they pass the fibers on to their family members. Workers in occupations that require long-term exposure to asbestos, for example shipyard workers and miners, are at a higher risk of being exposed. Mesothelioma, however, can occur even in people who haven't been exposed to asbestos at work.The unique geographical situation of northern Chile is a perfect region to study patterns over time of arsenic-related diseases. Antofagasta was the biggest city in the region and had arsenic levels that were high in its drinking water between 1958 and 1970. These levels decreased after the installation of an treatment plant.In this case control study of 306 bladder and 232 lung cancer cases and 640 ageand gender-matched controls, researchers found clear evidence of dose-response relations between arsenic exposure and cancer. 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 assist public health officials design strategies to lower long-term risks and obtain the resources needed to implement these strategies. They may help to improve the screening process for mesothelioma as well. Mesothelioma can be detected by blood tests and X-rays, and also through an exploratory surgical procedure known as biopsy.TreatmentMesothelioma is a rare cancer that can be fatal, affects the tissues around vital organs such as the abdomen or lungs. The condition is typically triggered by exposure to asbestos fibers however it could also be caused by the result of contaminated water supplies or other environmental pollutants. Mesothelioma is diagnosed by a doctor after imaging scans and blood tests are conducted. Patients with mesothelioma should tell their oncologists about any asbestos exposures they've had in the past to prevent being misdiagnosed.Mesothelioma can cause many symptoms, including difficulty breathing and chest pains. It can take between 15 and 40 years for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest following exposure, and men are more susceptible than women. Mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. This treatment is not available to all affected by mesothelioma. Patients need to consult a doctor.A recent study of mesothelioma sufferers in northern Chile found that arsenic-related oxidative stress causes the disease. This oxidative strain triggers production of free radicals which can cause DNA damage and increase the risk of mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Arsenic compounds like arsenite or arsenate interfere with cell reactions and interfere with transport of phosphate. This could lead to a depolarization in the mitochondrial membrane and a glutathione loss that increases free radicals. mesothelioma causes is a known lung cancer causing agent, as are arsenic, radon, and other chemicals. These substances can cause many molecular modifications. These include mutations, gene amplification and epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation. Asbestos, arsenic and other chemicals have been associated with pleural mesothelioma. This is the most frequent mesothelioma. They can cause peritoneal mesothelioma too when the fibers are breathed in and coughed up into the lungs.As opposed to the majority of other highly exposed areas, northern Chile only has a few large public water supplies that are known arsenic concentrations that are well-known and have numerous historical records. These factors allowed researchers to calculate accurate estimates of the lifetime exposure of the study's subjects. With this data researchers were able to discover clear dose-response connections between arsenic exposure and lung and bladder cancer in both smokers and nonsmokers. The results showed an increase in the risk of cancer as arsenic levels within drinking water increased.