Asbestos | What Asbestos looks like | Asbestos Exposure - Mesothelioma

What is Asbestos

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral which occurs naturally. Asbestos is a group of silicate minerals used in physical properties. All these abestos minerals have eponymous, asbestiform habit, long thin fibrous crystals in common. Asbestos fibers are resistant to heat, fire, electricity and chemical damage. Because of this resistant nature abestos is used in electrical insulation, building insulation, the fibers are mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats.

Mesothelioma cause - Asbestos

The Major cause of Mesothelioma is exposure to Asbestos. In the United States, most of the individuals work closely with asbestos and are affected by the Mesothelioma cancer. Mesothelioma can also be caused by irradiation, intrapleural thorium dioxide and inhalation of other fibrous silicates, such as erionite.

Mesothelioma can be caused by short duration of exposure to asbestos. The duration can be around 1 to 3 months. However, individuals may not aware of the disease developing in them and is identified after 20 to 50 years of exposure. People who work with asbestos should wear protective equipment to lower the risk of exposure.

Environmental Exposures:

People who live nearby naturally occurring asbestos or asbestos manufacturing industries are more likely to be affected by the Mesothelioma. The presence of asbestos fibers in water supplies and foods can also become the cause of Mesothelioma.

Occupation:

Asbestos is widely used in industrial products like cement, brake linings, gaskets, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles and insulation. People who work in these industries are more likely to develop Mesothelioma. Epidemiological studies have shown that occupational exposure to asbestos develops diseases like pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening, asbestosis, carcinoma of the lung and larynx, gastrointestinal tumors, and diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum.

Secondary exposure

Family members who live with asbestos workers have a high risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. Family members can be exposed to asbestos dust on clothes, hair, body of asbestos workers.

Asbestos in buildings

Individuals who live in the buildings which have asbestos materials are likely to get Mesothelioma. However the usages of asbestos in buildings are banned.

Mesothelioma Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms or signs does not appear immediately after exposure to asbestos. It will take around 20 to 50 years or even more for the Mesothelioma symptoms to appear.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

The signs and symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma are:

• Shortness of breath
• Anemia or Fatigue
• Cough or Wheezing or Hoarsensess
• Chest wall pain due to accumulation of fluid in the pleural space.
• Pleural effusion or fluid surrounding the lungs.
• Blood in the sputum coughed up

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The signs and Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma are:

• Abdominal swelling
• Pain due to ascites
• Weight loss and cachexia
• bowel obstruction
• blood clotting
• anemia and fever

If the Mesothelioma cancer spreads to other parts of the body, then symptoms like pain, trouble swallowing or swelling of the neck or face can appear. In most severe cases; the person may develop tumor or collapse of the lung (pneumothorax). There is a chance of spreading the disease to other parts of the body.

The symptoms of Tumors include:

• Weight loss
• Problems with bowel function
• Abdominal pain
• Ascites or abnormal buildup of fluid in abdomen
• Mass in the abdomen.

In advanced stage, the symptoms of Mesothelioma are:

• Low blood sugar level
• Jaundice or yellowing of the eyes and skin
• Pleural effusion
• Severe ascites
• Blood clots in the veins
• Bleeding in body organs
• Pulmonary emboli or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs.

Malignant mesothelioma Cancer information

Malignant mesothelioma is a form cancer which is found rarely. Mesothelioma develops from transformed cells orignating in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. Mesothelioma is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. Mesothelima can arise mostly in pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), however it can also arise in the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity), pericardium (sac that surrounds the heart) and the tunica vaginalis (sac that surrounds the testis).

Mesothelioma is caused when humans inhales asbestos or exposed to asbestos dust and fibers. Washing clothes of a member who exposed to asbestos can also increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. Tobacco smoking does not cause mesothelioma. However smoking increases the chances of getting other asbestos-induced cancers. To know more about the causes - cause of mesothelioma

Mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath and weight loss. Diagnosis include chest X-ray and CT scan and must be confirmed pathologically with a biopsy and microscopic examination. To know more about the symptoms - mesothelioma symptoms

The treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy and sometimes surgery.