Mesothelioma Caused by Arsenic
Arsenic can trigger symptoms like pins and numbness in the hands and fingers, a garlic-like smell on the skin and breath, and changes in the skin's coloration. It can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
The most common exposure to arsenic is through drinking contaminated water or eating food grown in contaminated soils. It can also happen in the workplace, as a result of working on asbestos-related projects.
Causes
Arsenic is naturally present in a variety of aspects of our environment. The human body needs it in tiny amounts to function properly, but too much exposure can cause serious health issues. Exposure to asbestos for long periods of time can cause heart disease, as well lung conditions and mesothelioma. Exposure can happen when people work in certain industries, or eating contaminated food. This element can also be found in soil and in water, especially in areas where mining and smelting have occurred.
Inorganic arsenic is found in high levels in the groundwater of several countries including Argentina, Bangladesh China, India and Mexico. Drinking contaminated water or eating crops that have been irrigated with arsenic-contaminated water are the most common sources of exposure. It can also be ingested in the form of seafood, shellfish, meat and dairy products.
Arsenic exposure can trigger temporary symptoms such as skin pigmentation nausea and diarrhea, but the most dangerous adverse effects are caused by chronic or prolonged exposure. It is linked to a higher incidence of kidney, bladder and skin cancers, as well as heart disease and diabetes. The exposure can also affect the person's intelligence and cognitive capabilities.
Research has shown that arsenic interferes with the body's endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis and controlling growth and development, so interference can have a wide-ranging impact. Scientists have discovered that even low levels of testosterone can affect the endocrine system and trigger a variety of health issues.
Arsenic exposure is a possibility in the workplace when you use products that contain the substance, such as metal-based pesticides or wood treatment chemicals. It can also occur when individuals consume contaminated foods or drink water, like rice. TOXMAP is a well-known online tool that provides information about arsenic-related contamination within the United States. It provides maps of the United State and information on chemical releases by government agencies. A person can also check for arsenic in their own drinking water using a local testing service.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is a cancer that affects the linings of organs in the body, such as the lung. It can take years for the cancer to manifest, and it is usually diagnosed in patients who have an asbestos-related history. Patients may experience a variety of symptoms, including coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath. A correct diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to receiving treatment that will improve your health and prolong your life expectancy. A mistake in diagnosis could cause the process to derail and delay effective treatment.
The latency period of lung cancer caused by arsenic is different from that of asbestos and radon. This is because the carcinogen affects cells in a variety of ways. Arsenic, radon, and asbestos target the lung-lined cells. Arsenic targets cells in other parts. This, according to a new study, may explain why the risk of cancer caused by arsenic remains high even after exposure has ended.
This study focused on people from northern Chile who were exposed to high levels of arsenic in their municipal water supply. In pericardial mesothelioma causes , water from rivers containing high levels of arsenic was diverted for 13 years to Antofagasta. This resulted in an increase in cancer incidence, including lung and bladder cancers, over a period of 13 years, beginning in the 1950s.
While asbestos is the most commonly reported cause of mesothelioma but other minerals can cause the disease, such as tin, lead and mercury. Asbestos is composed of microscopic fibres which can easily be breathed in. These fibres can cause irritation to the lungs, and can cause abnormal cancer cells. Mesothelioma usually develops 20-60 years after asbestos exposure.
Doctors employ a variety of tests to identify mesothelioma. This includes a physical examination and blood tests, as well as imaging scans. A patient's doctor could recommend a specialist to perform these tests. These tests can help confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine whether it has spread to another part of the body. Imaging scans may include X-rays (computer tomography), MRI (magnetic imaging) and PET scans (positron emission Tomography). Doctors can also request the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing the smallest amount of tissue or fluid from the mesothelioma tumour and then analysing it under a microscope to look for cancerous cells.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma affects the tissues around organs. It is most often found in the lining of the lungs (pleura) however, it can also be found in the tissues around the abdomen and heart. It is usually caused through exposure to asbestos which can be found at the workplace or in home building materials. Asbestos is a group of minerals that can be split into long, thin fibres. These fibres can be breathed in and cause mesothelioma once they enter the lung. Asbestos can be swallowed, or coughed up, which can cause cancer of the peritoneal region. Mesothelioma may take 20 to 60 years or more to develop after exposure.
Although most mesotheliomas are caused by asbestos, many other chemicals can trigger the disease as well. Arsenic is present in drinking water that has been contaminated as well as certain kinds of waste, and even certain food items. Asbestos can be transmitted through secondary exposure, for instance when people who have asbestos on their clothes or equipment bring the fibers home to their loved relatives. Professionals who have prolonged contact with asbestos - like miners, shipyard workers and construction personnel - are at higher risk of being exposed. Mesothelioma, however, can occur even in those who have not been exposed to asbestos at work.
The unique situation of northern Chile makes it an ideal location to examine long-term latency patterns of arsenic-related illnesses. Antofagasta was the largest city in the region, and had high levels of arsenic present in its drinking water from 1958 until 1970. These levels decreased after the installation of an treatment plant.
In this case-control study of 306 bladder and 232 lung cancer cases and 640 age- and gender-matched controls, researchers discovered clear evidence of dose-response relationships between arsenic exposure and cancer. They also found that lung SqCCs associated with arsenic exposure exhibited distinctive genomic alterations not seen in non-arsenic-associated lung cancers.
These findings will help public health professionals develop strategies to minimize long-term risks and obtain the necessary resources to implement these strategies. They may also help improve the screening process for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed by blood tests and X-rays, and also through an exploratory surgery called a biopsy.
Treatment
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that is fatal, affects the tissues around vital organs such as the lungs or abdomen. The disease is usually caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, but it can also be caused by the result of water sources that are contaminated or other environmental contaminants. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma following blood tests and imaging scans. Mesothelioma patients need to report all of their previous asbestos exposure to their general oncologists, so they don't get a misdiagnosis.
Mesothelioma can cause many symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and chest pains. It can take between 15 and 40 years for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest following exposure, and men are more susceptible than women. Mesothelioma is typically treated with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. However, this isn't available for everyone with mesothelioma, so patients should seek the advice of an expert.
Recent research on mesothelioma sufferers in northern Chile has revealed that arsenic is a cause of the oxidative stress. This oxidative strain triggers the production of free radicals that can damage DNA and increase the risk of mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Arsenic compounds, such as arsenite and arsenate, interfere with cellular redox reactions and interfere with the transport of phosphate. This could lead to an increase in the polarization of the mitochondrial membrane, and glutathione loss that increases free radicals.
Asbestos, arsenic and the radon are all well-known lung carcinogens, causing many molecular changes. These include mutations and epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation. Asbestos, arsenic and other chemicals have been associated to pleural mesothelioma. This is the most prevalent mesothelioma. They can also cause peritoneal mesothelioma when the fibers are breathed in and then coughed into the lung.
In contrast to other regions that are extremely exposed, northern Chile has only a few large water sources for public use, and these have known arsenic concentrations that are well-known and have extensive historic records. These factors allowed researchers to calculate accurate estimates of the lifetime exposure of the subjects of the study. With this data researchers were able to discover clear dose-response connections between arsenic exposure and bladder cancers, in both smokers and non-smokers. The results showed an increase in the risk of developing cancer as arsenic levels in drinking water increased.