Mesothelioma Caused by Asbestos
Pleural mesothelioma is a condition where the lining of the lung the chest wall and belly (peritoneum) is irritated. About 90% of mesotheliomas develop in this region.
Doctors can detect fluid buildup and symptoms of mesothelioma by conducting blood tests, Xrays and CT scans. To confirm mesothelioma, a tissue biopsy is required. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of bundles of strong, microscopic fibers. It was used in the production of various industrial and construction products from the 1930s to the 1980s. It is durable, fire-resistant and tough. During this time, asbestos was used in many industries, including shipbuilding, construction mining, asbestos mining, and other related fields. Asbestos exposure is typically inevitable, and occurs without the knowledge of its risks.
Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma if asbestos fibers are inhaled. The asbestos fibers can get into the lungs and travel to the lining (pleura) of the chest cavity. The asbestos fibers irritate the pleura, which causes the formation of scar tissue. Over time this scar tissue can be transformed into malignant mesothelioma cancers.
If the asbestos fibers are swallowed they could be transported to the stomach and the intestine. The asbestos fibers could cause irritation to linings of the stomach or intestines. This could cause mesothelioma grow in the peritoneum.
Mesothelioma is much more common in men than in women, and it is usually found in people who are 65 years of old or older. mesothelioma caused by is due to the fact that men were more inclined to work in jobs involving asbestos, and also to be exposed asbestos for longer periods of time. Mesothelioma can also be found in children but it is extremely uncommon.
Smoking and family history are additional factors that increase your risk of developing mesothelioma. The risk of mesothelioma for relatives of a person suffering from the disease is a little higher, as they could have been exposed to asbestos through a second exposure to asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma can take a long time to manifest after the initial exposure to asbestos.
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the kind. Most people who develop pleural mesothelioma have breath shortness and chest pain. Some suffer from breathing difficulties and experience pain in the abdomen or throat. Asbestos is a variety of types, so it's important to see an expert mesothelioma specialist who can diagnose the correct type of mesothelioma. They can offer the best treatment options for every patient. The right treatment is essential to improve the quality of life of patients and their chances of surviving.
Silica
Silica is a common mineral that can be found in rocks, soil as well as concrete, sand and sand. Silica dust that is in the air poses danger for workers who use saws, grinders, or drills to cut or grind into these materials. Silica dust can cause lung diseases and cause damage. Silica may also increase the risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other respiratory ailments.
The crystallized silica is a well-known carcinogen, and has been associated with a variety of autoimmune disorders. Silica can cause respiratory issues because it is abrasive. It can scratch and tear the linings of the nasal passageways and respiratory passageways. It can lead to silicosis, an ongoing fibrosing lung condition that can cause scarring and decrease the lung's ability to absorb oxygen. Silicosis can cause difficulty breathing and fatigue. It can also make someone more prone to infectious diseases of the lungs, including tuberculosis.
Research in animal models suggests that silica exposure leads to changes in the immune system of tumors. This is because it creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment in the lungs that stimulates tumor growth. Silica exposure boosts macrophages which cause them to produce proinflammatory cytokines.
Another important function of macrophages is that they function as antigen-presenting cells that are able to identify and kill neoplastic cells. It is important to know whether silica alters the ability of these macrophages to perform this function by reducing their ability to present antigens and also by altering other essential immune functions in the presence of a silica-induced alteration in tumor immunity.
The IARC has identified asbestos as a cancer-causing chemical for a long time, but it is not known whether silica can also have similar effects on the immune system of the patient. The type of silica as well as the time of exposure are crucial elements in the determination of the immune response to the neoplasia. If there is evidence that studies have shown that the number of Treg cells in a host is affected in a way that decreases the ability to kill tumors, then one could reasonably expect the overall antitumor immune response to be diminished in a silica exposed host.
Erionite
Researchers recently discovered that fibrous zeolite called Erionite, a fibrous zeolite mineral, can also cause mesothelioma malignancy. The findings were published on July 25, 2011, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Erionite, an igneous rock composed of silica and aluminum can be found in a variety of locations across the globe. It can be mined and used as a raw material for a variety of industries, including glass and refractory products. Erionite can also be processed and sold as an aggregate for road construction and other projects.
In the late 1970s a high-risk pleural mesothelioma with a high-in discovered in villages in Cappadocia (Turkey) which were located near a natural erionite deposit. This included Sarihidir, Karain and Tuzkoy. A significant proportion of mesotheliomas found in these towns could be due to erionite exposure.
The first North American case of erionite-related lung disease was discovered in 1981. The man was a road worker in Utah near the zeolite mine. A lung biopsy revealed extensive parenchymal and pleural inflammation and the lung tissue was found to have compositions determined by energy-dispersive Xray to be in line with erionite.
In vitro studies have proven that erionite causes cancer. It may cause mesothelioma after inhalation, or injecting intrapleurally. Erionite also caused squamous cell cancer in mice that were exposed to the mineral through their diet.
In 2008, a mesothelioma-related group was identified in a tiny village in a zeolite-rich region of central Mexico. In the same region mesothelioma patients were diagnosed with extensive lung fibrosis, pleural plaques and an erionite-rich lung load.
Recent studies have been focused on the prevalence of erionite related mesothelioma, particularly in the southwestern region of North Dakota. In these areas, pits of gravel made from erionite were utilized to cover roads and other infrastructure. Air testing based on activity and ambient conditions was performed in these areas to identify potential mesothelioma risk factors. The results showed that erionite exposure is likely responsible for mesothelioma-related cases and it is recommended that such exposure be carefully assessed prior to a planned relocation of affected villages.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile, or commonly called white asbestos is the most popular asbestos type used. It is a serpentine substance 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 due to the different interactions of oxygen atoms with the silicon tetrahedra, magnesium and. These interactions affect the properties of the material especially its tensile force and how it reacts with water.
Chrysotile, though asbestos in all forms are considered to be dangerous It has been linked with mesothelioma and other illnesses in instances where exposure was prolonged or high. This is because of the way it acts on the human body. Chrysotile is less resistant to heat and has a greater affinity with fatty substances found in the bloodstream. In the end, chrysotile is more likely to remain in the lungs longer other asbestos types which increases the likelihood that it will cause disease.
Additionally, chrysotile can be often contaminated with the amphibole mineral tremolite. It is therefore harder for the body's enzymes to break down amphibole minerals, such as Tremolite than chrysotile. Despite the fact that numerous organizations are fighting to keep chrysotile in use, health professionals remain convinced that it is a major risk.
However it is crucial to note that research on animals has shown that even if chrysotile has been exposed at low levels, it can still cause cancer and mesothelioma. This is because the substance is able to easily pass through lung tissues and get infiltrated into lymph nodes.
However, the mesothelioma cases that were observed in the 11,000 Quebec chrysotile mine employees studied from 1992 onwards were mainly caused by exposure to tremolite. Further, postmortem examination of lungs of these miners showed that mesothelioma of the pleura were mainly found in certain areas of the lungs which suggests a strong link to tremolite exposure.
The only way to completely prevent mesothelioma is to stop all forms of asbestos. All asbestos-containing products must be disposed of, and all buildings that were constructed with asbestos must be cleaned.