Mesothelioma Caused by Asbestos
Pleural mesothelioma happens when the lung's lining, chest wall and belly (peritoneum) gets affected. The majority of mesotheliomas begin at this site.
Doctors can find fluid buildup and symptoms of mesothelioma through blood tests, X-rays and CT scans. To confirm mesothelioma a tissue biopsy is required. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of bundles of strong microscopic fibers. It was used in various industrial and construction products in the 1930s through the 1980s because it is durable, fireproof, and long-lasting. Many people working in the construction industry, shipbuilding, asbestos mining, and other related professions were exposed to asbestos during this time. Asbestos exposure is often unavoidable, and occurs without the knowledge of its risks.
Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to mesothelioma. The asbestos fibers can get into the lungs and get into the lining (pleura) of the chest cavity. The asbestos fibers cause irritation to the pleura, which causes the formation of scar tissue. As time passes the scar tissue may develop into malignant mesothelioma tumours.
If asbestos fibers are swallowed they could travel into the stomach and intestine. The asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the stomach's linings or the intestines. This could lead to mesothelioma that affects the peritoneum.
Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females and the disease is more common in people 65 years or older. This is due to the fact that men were more likely to work in jobs involving asbestos, and also to be exposed asbestos for longer durations. Mesothelioma is uncommon in children but can develop.
Other factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma is smoking cigarettes and family history. Family members of someone who suffers from mesothelioma have a slightly higher chance of developing the disease because they could have been exposed to asbestos via secondary exposure. The symptoms of mesothelioma typically are not evident until years after the first exposure to asbestos.
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the kind. Most people with pleural cancer suffer from chest pain and a shortness of breathe. Others have trouble breathing and experience pain in the abdomen or throat. Asbestos comes in many different types, so you should consult a specialist to diagnose the correct type of mesothelioma. These doctors can recommend the best treatment for each patient. The right treatment is essential to improve the quality of life of patients as well as their chances of living.
Silica
Silica is a mineral that is common that can be found in rocks, soil, sand, and concrete. Airborne silica dust is danger for workers who use saws, grinders, or drills to cut or grind into these materials. This dust can damage the lungs and cause disease. Silica can increase the risk of developing lung disease mesothelioma as well as other respiratory illnesses.
The silica crystal form (not to be confused with amorphous silica) is a carcinogen, and it has been linked to various auto-immune disorders. Silica may cause respiratory problems because it is abrasive. It can cause damage to the linings of respiratory passageways and nasal passageways. It can cause silicosis, which is a chronic fibrosing disorder of the lungs which can result in scarring that restricts the lungs' capacity to draw in oxygen. Silicosis can lead to breathing difficulties and fatigue. It can also make a person more vulnerable to infections of the lungs, like tuberculosis.
Studies in animal models suggest that silica exposure leads to changes in the tumor's immune system. This is caused by the creation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in the lungs that aids in the growth of tumors. Silica exposure increases macrophages, which trigger them to produce proinflammatory cytokines.
One of the most important functions of macrophages, is that they present antigens, and recognize and eliminate neoplastic cells. It is essential to determine whether silica affects macrophages' ability to perform this function by reducing antigen-presenting abilities and by modifying the immune system's functions when there is silica-induced altered immune response to tumors.
The IARC has recognized asbestos as a cancer-causing chemical for many years, but it is not clear if silica also has similar effects on the immune system of the host. The type of silica as well as the time of exposure are crucial elements in determining the immune response to the neoplasia. Certain studies have demonstrated that the amount of Tregs present in a host can be affected in a way that helps to reduce the tumor-killing ability and therefore, it is reasonable to expect immunity against tumors in silica-exposed host to be diminished.
Erionite
Researchers recently discovered that fibrous zeolite, also known as Erionite, a fibrous zeolite mineral, can also cause mesothelioma that is malignant. The findings were published in the July 25, 2011 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Erionite is an igneous stone composed of aluminum and silicon that can be found all over the world. It can be extracted for raw materials and utilized in a variety of industries, such as glass and Refractory. Erionite is also used for processing and sale in road construction and other projects.
In the latter part of the 1970s, a mesothelioma that was a high incidence was discovered in villages in Cappadocia (Turkey) that were near natural erionite deposit. This included Sarihidir, Karain and Tuzkoy. A significant proportion of mesotheliomas in these towns could be due to erionite exposure.
The first North American case of erionite-related lung disease was discovered in 1981. The patient was road construction worker in Utah near a zeolite mine. A lung biopsy revealed extensive fibrosis of the pleura and parenchyma and the structure of the lung tissue was assessed by energy-dispersive X-rays as being in line with Erionite.
Research has confirmed the carcinogenic potential, and it produced mesothelioma in rats after being inhaled or injecting intrapleurally. Erionite caused squamous-cell cancer in mice exposed to the mineral through their diet.
A mesothelioma cluster was identified in 2008 in a small village in a zeolite-rich region of central Mexico. A mesothelioma victim in the same area was diagnosed with a large pulmonary fibrosis and pleural plaque and had a lung load of erionite.
Recent studies have focused on the prevalence of erionite-related mesothelioma in southwestern North Dakota and other areas where gravel pits extracted from erionite are used to make roads and other infrastructure. Ambient and activity-based air testing was performed in these areas to determine mesothelioma-related risk factors. The results revealed that erionite could be the cause for mesothelioma. It is recommended that this exposure is carefully assessed prior to a proposed relocation.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile, commonly referred to as white asbestos is the most well-known type of asbestos that is used. It is a serpentine-like material comprised of magnesium and silica and has the formula: 3MgO*2SiO2*2H2O. It is found in three distinct forms: clinochrysotile, orthochrysotile and parachrysotile. The distinctions between the three forms are caused by the different interactions of oxygen atoms with the silicon tetrahedra and magnesium. These interactions affect the material's properties. They affect its Tensile force and how it reacts with the water.
Although all forms of asbestos are believed to be dangerous, chrysotile is unique in that it has been linked to mesothelioma and other illnesses when exposure has been prolonged or high-level. This is a result of the way it acts on the human body. non asbestos causes of mesothelioma is less resistant to heat, and has an increased affinity for the fatty substances that are found in our bloodstream. In the end, it tends to remain in the lungs for longer than other types of asbestos, increasing its potential to cause disease.
Chrysotile is also affected by the amphibole, tremolite. This makes it more difficult for the body to break down tremolite than to break down the chrysotile. Health experts remain convinced that chrysotile is dangers, regardless of the fact that a lot of groups are fighting to keep it in use.
It is important to remember, however, that research in animals has demonstrated that chrysotile may cause cancer and mesothelioma at low levels of exposure. This is because chrysotile has the ability to easily move through lung tissues and be absorption into lymph nodes.
The majority of mesothelioma cases in the 11,000 Quebec chrysotile miners studied between 1992 and 1996 was caused by exposure to Tremolite. Further an examination of the lungs after death from miners revealed that pleural mesothelioma were concentrated in specific areas of the lungs which suggests a strong connection with tremolite exposure.
To prevent mesothelioma from occurring, you must stop using asbestos in any form. All asbestos-containing products should be removed, and any buildings constructed using asbestos must be cleaned.