Cause of Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma
is a cancer that
occurs in the mesothelium, a thin membrane encompassing the body’s internal
organs and cavities. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers that are inhaled through the mouth and nose may eventually
become embedded in the lining of the lungs, causing harmful inflammation of the pleura and resulting
inmesothelioma or
asbestosis (scar tissue formation in the lungs). It has also been found that
swallowing asbestos fibers could
contribute to a form of the malignancy originating in the abdomen known as
peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma
generally results from occupational asbestos exposure, but there are instances
of environmental exposure that can also cause the disease.
Often times a family member can be affected indirectly by secondhand exposure
from an asbestos worker’s soiled work clothes.
Asbestos
was an effective insulation material. It was used liberally in commercial
and industrial products in the United States until being
regulated in a joint effort between the Consumer Product Safety Commission and
the Environmental Protection Agency in 1989. Occupational exposure was common
among workers who encountered these products in many industries including
shipbuilding, power plants, and other industrial settings.
Asbestos
insulation workers appear to have the highest incidence rate of
asbestos-related disease. One study reports that almost six percent of asbestos
workers fall victim to mesothelioma or experience respiratory
symptoms. Asbestos insulation workers are over 300 times more likely
to be diagnosed with mesothelioma than those with no exposure history.
How does
exposure to asbestos cause mesothelioma?
Malignant Mesothelioma causes mesothelioma malignant mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. The particles which are inhaled or ingested they enter the patient's respiratory system and can potentially create a aggravation and cancer cell growth in the membranes.
Asbestos
fibers are microscopic, though they are also quite durable. For this reason,
asbestos was used in a number of different industrial compounds to enhance
strength and resistance to temperature extremes- two properties at which the
mineral is highly adept. Asbestos exposure most often occurred among individuals
who worked extensively with asbestos or asbestos-containing
materials. Friable asbestos (meaning loose or airborne fibers) is easily
inhaled- often without the exposed person realizing.
When
inhaled, asbestos lodges easily in the outer lung tissue and within the
mesothelium. The mesothelium is
a thin membrane of cells which produces a lubricating fluid on the surface of
the organs. This lubricant allows the lung and other internal structures to
expand, contract, and move freely without friction in the body cavity. There is
a great deal of latency
associated with mesothelioma between exposure to asbestos and
the onset of symptoms.
Pleural
mesothelioma is the most common variety of the disease and forms on the pleural
membrane, which surrounds the lung and chest cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma is
less common and forms on the surface of the peritoneum, a thin membrane
surrounding the abdominal cavity. Pericardial mesothelioma is the least common
variety of the disease and forms in the cardiac cavity that envelops the heart,
a mesothelial membrane known as the pericardium.
Inhaled
asbestos fibers are known to be the cause of
pleural mesothelioma, whereas ingested asbestos fibers are the cause
of peritoneal mesothelioma. While the exact causal nature between asbestos and
pericardial mesothelioma is not known, physicians and cancer researchers surmise
asbestos fibers in the blood stream lodge in the outer layers of the heart’s
ventricles and lodge in the pericardium. Once asbestos fibers reach the surface
of the peritoneum or pericardium, the inflammation process is essentially the
same as it is on the surface of the pleura.
Primary
workplace exposure to the mineral was common in naval shipyards, power plants,
railroad infrastructure, and other industrial jobsites. However,
asbestos-related mesotheliomas have also been diagnosed in spouses or children
of those exposed to asbestos. Workers often brought home dangerous asbestos
fibers on their clothing, hair, or person. Those who came into contact with
these fibers on the person or their clothing have developed mesothelioma as a
result.
Other
Contributing Factors
Mesothelioma
is also causally associated with a few other factors, but many of these are
attributed to the development of mesothelioma in conjunction with exposure to
asbestos.
1. Smoking
Those who
smoke are at a higher risk of mesothelioma, though smoking is more commonly
associated with traditional lung carcinomas. Smoking tends to enhance risk even
further in those who were also exposed to asbestos.
2. Radiation
Exposure
While
extremely rare, some mesothelioma patients attribute their diagnosis to
exposure to radiation rather than exposure to asbestos. Radiation tends to
transform and mutate cell growth patterns and is more commonly associated with
brain and blood cancers.
3. Carbon
Nanotubes
Research
is extremely preliminary in this study, but some laboratory studies indicate a
molecular similarity between asbestos mineral fibers and carbon nanotubes.
Tests indicate a pronounced risk of mesothelioma in some laboratory animals
implanted with carbon nanotubes.
Over 75% of mesotheliomas are known to start in the chest and lungs making it the most common form of the disease, followed by 10 or 20% of cases of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. A rare form of mesothelioma is the one located in the tunica vaginalis testis or affecting the reproductive organs.
Malignant Mesothelioma causes mesothelioma malignant mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. The particles which are inhaled or ingested they enter the patient's respiratory system and can potentially create a aggravation and cancer cell growth in the membranes.
In USA more than 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. These people may have been exposed to asbestos at work given the extensive use was given as an insulator and fire retardant. Those at higher risk of exposure to asbestos had are:
Electricians
Tuberos
Installers bulkheads
Metal workers
welders
insulators
Workers chemical plants
nuclear plants
mechanics
Shipyard workers
Members of the armed forces
Also asbestos fibers can be impregnated clothing workers in the hair, making their families are at risk when they return home from work. Many roofs, floors and pipes are covered with asbestos. Once these fibers break and released can be extremely toxic to anyone who is around.
Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma
malignoLos mesothelioma symptoms signs and symptoms normally associated with mesothelioma are cough, fatigue, pain in the chest wall, side, back or abdomen, weight loss, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, limitation on breathing and spitting blood.
Since these symptoms are similar to other diseases or less serious ailments, remain initially ignored until the disease is more serious. Typically spend two or three months after symptoms appear until the malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed.
Diagnosing Malignant Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma diagnosis is performed by scanners and biopsies that aim to identify where cancer and size of the tumor is located. Normally used imaging test such as X-rays, PET, CET or MRI to diagnose the disease. Other methods that are commonly used to diagnose cancer are blood tests and tests of tissues and fluids. The diagnosis also determine whether the tumor is benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
While benign tumors are completely resercables, if not carried out an operation to remove them tend to become cancerous. Even once you have removed a review every ten years is recommended as a precaution.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are three types of malignant mesothelioma: epithelial representing between 50 and 70% of cases of malignant mesothelioma; sarcomatoid which is between 7 and 20% of cases of malignant mesothelioma; and cases of mixed / biphasic representing between 20 and 35% of cases.
On the other hand, benign tumors such as adenomatoid tumors that grow in the female and male reproductive organs and cystic tumors, which grow only in the female reproductive organs, are also common. However they are not cancerous and can be removed with surgery.
Stages of Mesothelioma
After identifying the tumor, the next step is to determine the stage of cancer. Three staging systems used to determine if the cancer has spread are commonly used, the extent of that leisure and if it can be removed with surgery. These systems are known as Butchart system, the TNM system and Brigham
Mesothelioma Treatment
The final phase is to establish the correct form of treatment based on the location, type and stage of the tumor and the patient's age, weight and health. Normally malignant mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill cancer cells. It can also be used to improve the results of radiotherapy or to destroy cancer cells that reproduce. On the other hand radiation is used to slow the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Some of malignant mesothelioma can be treated with surgery. Palliative surgery is an option to reduce or eliminate pain pleural fluid. More complex curative Another option is what is known as extrapleural pneumonectomy representing a complex reconstruction that affects the cells of the mesothelium with proséticos.
Malignant mesothelioma can be treated; treatment can reduce pain, slow cancer growth and significantly improve the quality of life of patients and prolong life expectancy. However malignant mesothelioma is not a cure and usually presents recurrence
References:
American Cancer Society
Mayo Clinic
National Cancer Institute
Over 75% of mesotheliomas are known to start in the chest and lungs making it the most common form of the disease, followed by 10 or 20% of cases of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. A rare form of mesothelioma is the one located in the tunica vaginalis testis or affecting the reproductive organs.
Malignant Mesothelioma causes mesothelioma malignant mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. The particles which are inhaled or ingested they enter the patient's respiratory system and can potentially create a aggravation and cancer cell growth in the membranes.
In USA more than 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. These people may have been exposed to asbestos at work given the extensive use was given as an insulator and fire retardant. Those at higher risk of exposure to asbestos had are:
Electricians
Tuberos
Installers bulkheads
Metal workers
welders
insulators
Workers chemical plants
nuclear plants
mechanics
Shipyard workers
Members of the armed forces
Also asbestos fibers can be impregnated clothing workers in the hair, making their families are at risk when they return home from work. Many roofs, floors and pipes are covered with asbestos. Once these fibers break and released can be extremely toxic to anyone who is around.
Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma
malignoLos mesothelioma symptoms signs and symptoms normally associated with mesothelioma are cough, fatigue, pain in the chest wall, side, back or abdomen, weight loss, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, limitation on breathing and spitting blood.
Since these symptoms are similar to other diseases or less serious ailments, remain initially ignored until the disease is more serious. Typically spend two or three months after symptoms appear until the malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed.
Diagnosing Malignant Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma diagnosis is performed by scanners and biopsies that aim to identify where cancer and size of the tumor is located. Normally used imaging test such as X-rays, PET, CET or MRI to diagnose the disease. Other methods that are commonly used to diagnose cancer are blood tests and tests of tissues and fluids. The diagnosis also determine whether the tumor is benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
While benign tumors are completely resercables, if not carried out an operation to remove them tend to become cancerous. Even once you have removed a review every ten years is recommended as a precaution.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are three types of malignant mesothelioma: epithelial representing between 50 and 70% of cases of malignant mesothelioma; sarcomatoid which is between 7 and 20% of cases of malignant mesothelioma; and cases of mixed / biphasic representing between 20 and 35% of cases.
On the other hand, benign tumors such as adenomatoid tumors that grow in the female and male reproductive organs and cystic tumors, which grow only in the female reproductive organs, are also common. However they are not cancerous and can be removed with surgery.
Stages of Mesothelioma
After identifying the tumor, the next step is to determine the stage of cancer. Three staging systems used to determine if the cancer has spread are commonly used, the extent of that leisure and if it can be removed with surgery. These systems are known as Butchart system, the TNM system and Brigham
Mesothelioma Treatment
The final phase is to establish the correct form of treatment based on the location, type and stage of the tumor and the patient's age, weight and health. Normally malignant mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill cancer cells. It can also be used to improve the results of radiotherapy or to destroy cancer cells that reproduce. On the other hand radiation is used to slow the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Some of malignant mesothelioma can be treated with surgery. Palliative surgery is an option to reduce or eliminate pain pleural fluid. More complex curative Another option is what is known as extrapleural pneumonectomy representing a complex reconstruction that affects the cells of the mesothelium with proséticos.
Malignant mesothelioma can be treated; treatment can reduce pain, slow cancer growth and significantly improve the quality of life of patients and prolong life expectancy. However malignant mesothelioma is not a cure and usually presents recurrence
References:
American Cancer Society
Mayo Clinic
National Cancer Institute
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