Causes of Mesothelioma - Non Asbestos Causes of Mesothelioma

Many people who have experienced long-term asbestos exposure can develop mesothelioma. Exposure could be secondhand, occupational or environmental.

Mesothelioma can affect the linings of different organs, including the pleura the heart lining, the tunica vaginalis, and the pericardium. It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma-related symptoms to show.

1. Genetics

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma due to irritation of the cells that line the body's organs. The type of mesothelioma is based on how asbestos fibers interact with the cells. Asbestos-related mesothelioma symptoms are typically seen 20 to 60 years following the initial exposure. The genetic makeup of a person could contribute to the development of asbestos-related cancer.

A gene mutation can alter the way a cell produces proteins. The proteins can be over-expressed or down-expressed. Over-expressing these proteins leads to the formation of cancerous tumors.


The majority of mesothelioma cases is due to asbestos exposure. However, research is showing that genetics and other factors play a part in mesothelioma development.

Scientists have identified a few mutations that increase the mesothelioma threat. The BAP1 and LATS2 genes are among them. Both genes play a role in the control of mesothelial cells growth and repair. A mutation in BAP1 could result in mesothelial cell overexpression.

The risk of developing mesothelioma rises with the age. This is because asbestos was more commonly used in the workplace prior to the 1980s. However, some individuals exposed to asbestos as teenagers and children have developed mesothelioma later in life.

Researchers are investigating the possible connection between mesothelioma and cancer. One study examined five case-control studies. Four of the studies used asbestos-free cancer patients as control subjects. One study, which focused mostly on pancreatic cancer excluded patients with Mesothelioma. Nevertheless, these studies indicate that mesothelioma can be linked to genetics and other cancers, as well as asbestos exposure.

2. Alcoholism

Mesothelioma can begin in the tissue layer that covers the lung (pleural mesothelioma) or in the layer of tissue that covers the organs of the tummy (peritoneal mesothelioma). The exposure to asbestos is the most significant cause of mesothelioma. Other factors can also increase your risk of contracting the disease, such as working in places with asbestos levels that are high (like shipyards) and having a family history of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, and having certain genetic traits.

Asbestos is a natural mineral made of strong microscopic fibers. It was used to create dozens of construction products between the 1930s and 1980s because it was resistant to fire, water or sound. People who handled the material or were exposed to it frequently did not know the risks. People who lived near workers could have also been exposed to the fibers via secondhand smoke.

Mesothelioma is a result of asbestos exposure. It damages the cells that surround the organs. The asbestos fibers become trapped within the lining, piercing or rupturing the thin tissue. In time the piercing and disintegration result in scarring that can cause tumors.

Mesothelioma cannot be treated However, there are treatments that can help to alleviate symptoms and prolong your life. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are among the of the most effective treatments available.

Asbestos is now recognized as the only cause of mesothelioma. If you do have an asbestos-related history and a family history of mesothelioma make sure you consult your physician if you are experiencing any symptoms. Early detection is the best way to treat.

3. Smoking

Although mesothelioma isn't the cause directly, smoking cigarettes introduce carcinogens into lungs that can cause asbestos exposure and increase a person's likelihood of developing asbestos cancer. This is especially true for those diagnosed with mesothelioma that develops close to the lungs. Inhaling asbestos fibers as well as affected lung tissue can cause cancer and lead to its progression.

Mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is composed of strong microscopic fibres. It was employed from the 1930s and the 1980s in a myriad of industrial and construction products because it was impervious to water, fire and sound. The manufacturers were aware of the dangers but did not inform the general public.

Asbestos exposure can happen in various ways, including working on an asbestos-containing vessel or aircraft. Even secondhand exposure can trigger the disease, such as bringing fibers of asbestos to the surface of clothing or in hair.

Veterans or asbestos workers who have been exposed to asbestos for a prolonged time are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma is still feasible for those who have only short-term or intermittent exposure. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lung. However, it could also form in the lining around the testes as well as in the stomach's lining (peritoneal pericardial).

Mesothelioma can appear up to 50 years after the last asbestos exposure. Because asbestos is so dangerous anyone who has had any type of asbestos exposure should ask their physician about the possibility of mesothelioma. If asbestos exposure is the cause of mesothelioma specialist must be involved in the treatment to obtain the best results.

4. Drugs

The exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of Mesothelioma. Asbestos is one of the naturally occurring minerals made up of microscopic fibres. It was utilized by a variety of industries before it was banned in the year 1999. It is resistant to heat, water, and sound. People exposed to asbestos breathe in fibres which can stay in the lungs and cause damage for many years. The lungs that have been damaged can lead to cancerous tissue and mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most commonly encountered mesothelioma. It affects the lining on the lung. Exposure to asbestos can also trigger peritoneal cancer, which is located in the stomach lining.

The signs of mesothelioma generally do not appear until 20 to 60 years after asbestos exposure. This is known as the latency time of asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain. If you're experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms, it is important to consult a specialist for diagnosis and a test. General oncologists could miss the cancer and you could be offered unneeded treatments.

Certain individuals are more susceptible of developing mesothelioma. These factors include an ancestral history, genetic predisposition and a history asbestos exposure. Workers who work with asbestos are more likely to develop pleural mesothelioma than those who don't. This is because asbestos workers carry asbestos fibres into their homes on their clothing. Women who were a part of a couple who were exposed to asbestos also have a greater risk of developing peritoneal msothelioma. They may have unknowingly absorbed asbestos fibres in their clothing.

Other mesothelioma risks include having a family history of the disease, being a male and having been treated with radiation for other diseases. These risks can't be altered however reducing the amount of asbestos you breathe in, becoming aware of your asbestos exposure and following your doctor's recommendations regarding treatment can lower your risk.

5. Alcohol

The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos. The carcinogen that is found in certain minerals can cause cancer if people inhale or swallow it. It can also enter the body through contact with skin and through clothing. mesothelioma not caused by asbestos are exposed to asbestos fibers when they cut, or scrape surfaces on structures or ships that contain asbestos. The asbestos fibers are then released into the air, where others in the area can breathe them in or ingest them.

The lining of the stomach and chest cavity can also be affected by mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure at work is more likely to cause pleural mesothelioma in men. However, women who lived with asbestos-exposure husbands are more prone to develop peritoneal mesothelioma. This could be due to the fact that the wives carried asbestos back home on their clothes or hair.

A shortness of breath chest pain and abdominal swelling are all symptoms of mesothelioma. Other symptoms include weight loss, fatigue and fever. A lot of these symptoms are reminiscent of other diseases, which is why mesothelioma is frequently misdiagnosed.

The only way to prevent mesothelioma is avoid exposure to asbestos. If you suffer from the disease, there are ways to improve your the chance of survival. A doctor will examine mesothelioma symptoms and request blood tests or imaging scans. These include CT, MRI, and PET scans. A biopsy is the best way to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any other illnesses. A thoracic surgeon can perform the procedure. Doctors can help you locate the right specialist in your region. They can also help you determine the best treatment options.