Causes of Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos
Asbest is the most frequent cause, but it has been linked to other factors such as SV40 as well as erionite, radiation and SV40. Knowing these other causes can aid doctors in identifying and diagnosing the condition early.
When people inhale asbestos fibers, the small particles can get lodged in the lining of their chest cavity. The needle-like fibers may damage mesothelial cells' DNA and cause mesothelioma tumours.
1. Silica

Asbestos is by far the most prevalent mesothelioma-causing agent. However, exposure to other mineral fibers and certain chemicals can also trigger mesothelioma, especially peritoneal mesothelio. Silica, a mineral found in nature as crystals and sand, is one of those chemicals. Workers who use silica in mining, construction or hydraulic fracturing could be exposed to airborne particles of this chemical. These particles could be breathed deep into the lungs where they could cause irritation to lung tissue. The irritation could alter the DNA of cells around it which can cause cancer.
The likelihood of developing mesothelioma increased when a person has silica exposure as well as asbestos exposure. Asbestos is by far the most prevalent cause of mesothelioma, and silica is less likely cause peritoneal cancer.
Most people who have mesothelioma-related diseases were exposed to asbestos while on the job. Asbestos fibers were introduced into the workplace by the use of asbestos in many industries, such as manufacturing, shipbuilding, and construction. When these fibers were released into air, workers in these industries breathed them in or ingested them on clothing and equipment. Workers brought these fibers back to their clothing and exposed their families as well.
Once the asbestos fibers landed in the body, they got trapped in the mesothelium layer of the lung and other organs. The needle-like particles infected the tissues for years, until the DNA of nearby cells changed and cancer formed. Mesothelioma symptoms can take up to 60 years to appear.
The best way to prevent mesothelioma is to stay clear of asbestos exposure. Report any asbestos-related dangers and follow workplace safety regulations. Don't bring home any clothing or work equipment that may contain asbestos. Employ a professional asbestos removal service to test your home. Avoid buying antiques and vintage items that may have been made with asbestos. Instead, look for cosmetics and personal-care products without talc. Talk to your doctor about mesothelioma screening when you have a history of asbestos.
2. Erionite
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was employed in a variety of industrial applications before being banned. Its use was discontinued after scientific and medical evidence linking asbestos to mesothelioma was discovered. The connection was not fully understood until much later. Many people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos.
Other materials have been linked to mesothelioma. While asbestos is a major cause, it is not the only cause. Erionite is a zeolite that is fibrous and mined in the United States. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to erionite can cause mesothelioma. Researchers have found that erionite increases a balance between proliferating cells (and abnormal DNA repairs) and Apoptosis. This is a normal mechanism for eliminating cells that have been transformed or multiplied.
After initial exposure to asbestos, it may take many years before a person develops mesothelioma. It can be difficult to determine whether the disease was triggered by asbestos or a different source of exposure during this period. Mesothelioma can also form in lungs that have already been damaged by other lung diseases, such as asbestos.
Because of these limitations, it is crucial to review the past of a mesothelioma patient to determine if they have been exposed to asbestos or erionite. This can be accomplished through the review of chest radiographs as well as CT scanners, and by analyzing biomarkers of mesothelioma such as the presence of pleural nodules as well as plaques in the pleural cavity.
The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma pleural, which affects the lining in the lung. Other types may develop in the stomach lining and testicles (peritoneal testicular, pericardial and peritoneal mesothelioma) and in the heart (pericardial).
The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos during their work, often because they worked in industries that used asbestos, a dangerous material. However, it is possible to develop the disease through secondhand exposure as well. Workers may expose their families to asbestos fibers by bringing them home on their clothing and other equipment. The mesothelioma type is typically less serious than the asbestos-related type of the disease.
3. Other Minerals
Asbestos, one of the world's most dangerous substances, is not the only cause of Mesothelioma. Other minerals, like silica and erionite have also been linked with the cancer. Asbestos is by far the most well-known cause of cancer.
Asbestos can cause irritation of the tissues lining the chest cavity, abdomen, and the heart, which can lead to mesothelioma tumors. Exposure to asbestos most commonly results from working with the material, especially when building renovations or mining. However, even secondhand exposure to asbestos can cause the illness. mesothelioma compensation claims may also develop mesothelioma from the use of asbestos-containing items, like insulation and brake pads.
The process that causes mesothelioma is complex and involves many steps. First, asbestos fibers must be removed from their original place. This usually happens during mining, building construction and maintenance of ships or vehicles. Workers then breathe in or consume the fibers, which stick to the lining of the lungs, thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity and the peritoneum. Mesothelioma can then occur when the cells within the linings begin to change and grow into malignant tumors.
Most patients who are diagnosed with mesothelioma are those who have had a history of exposure to asbestos. 70 to 80 percent of cases are caused by past exposure. This is because it takes about 20 years for the symptoms to manifest after exposure to asbestos. However other factors, such as sex and age, can increase someone's risk for developing mesothelioma.
A family history of the disease makes it more likely that you will contract it. This is because family members can inherit genetic mutations that make them more prone to develop certain diseases, including mesothelioma.
Researchers have studied many potential causes of mesothelioma. However, asbestos is the most common. However, some studies suggest that mesotheliomas in a small proportion are not caused by asbestos and other sources. This could be due to different study designs and the divergent views regarding which jobs require significant asbestos exposure. It may also be due to differences in the past use of amphibole or Chrysotile among countries. The number of spontaneous mesotheliomas is also lower than the current statistics.
4. Other Chemicals
Many asbestos-related diseases develop as a result of exposure to a range of chemicals. Examples include silica, erionite and a variety of other chemicals. While these chemicals don't cause mesothelioma directly but they can irritate the mesothelium and increase risk of cancer. This is especially true when the mesothelioma tumor cells change. Coughing, chest pain abdominal pain, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties are all symptoms of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can be triggered by exposure to asbestos, which is a class of strong, microscopic fibers that are very robust. Asbestos was extensively used throughout the 1930s and into the 1980s in numerous products because it resists heat, fire, and sound. The companies knew that it was harmful, but didn't tell the public.
Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma in a variety of forms. The most common kind is called pleural mesothelioma which forms around the lungs. It can also form in the wall of the chest (pericardium), or in the abdomen's lining (peritoneum). Testicular mesothelioma is a very rare mesothelioma form that occurs when asbestos fibers penetrate the tissue lining of your testes.
Mesothelioma is the most frequent cancer among those who have been exposed to asbestos through occupational or environmental exposure. Mesothelioma is also a possibility in those who have been exposed to asbestos in the secondhand environment through the handling of the work clothes of another person or other materials at home. Some people even develop mesothelioma because of receiving radiation therapy for a different cancer.
Mesothelioma can be a slow-growing disease that doesn't show symptoms until the end of the course. This is why it's important for patients to be alert and seek out their doctor if they experience any unusual or persistent symptoms. A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients understand the symptoms and determine a proper diagnosis. Patients should ask their oncologist to refer them to a specialist in mesothelioma to avoid misdiagnosis. This will ensure that they receive the most effective treatment.