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January 04, 2009 07:25 AM

Can you get malignant mesothelioma from other substances besides asbestos?

Is prolonged exposure to asbestos the only thing that causes mesothelioma? I understand that it cannot be caused by cigarette smoking, so you don't have to worry about that type of cancer if you smoke, but does anyone know of any other substances that cause it? Also, if you've been exposed to asbestos, what would you say the odds are that you will end up with an asbestos-related disease?
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January 04, 2009 09:59 AM
This is something you should really talk to your doctor about, but I did find you some information:

Mesothelioma Causes
According to Allaboutmalignantmesothelioma.com, over 50% of mesothelioma patients have been exposed to asbestos, however, other causes include:
1. Exposure to Erionite, a mineral.
2. Living with a person who works near asbestos.
3. Being exposed to a virus called the SV40 Virus (simian virus 40).
4. Exposure to thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), a type of radiation.
5. Exposure to Zeolite, a silicate mineral related to asbestos.
6. And possibly tremolite and chrysotile.

Facts About Asbestos Exposure
-Asbestos fibers collect in the lungs causing scarring and inflammation.
-According to the National Cancer Institute, "Exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, other cancers, and other nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders."
-The National Cancer Institute also says "Some studies have suggested an association between asbestos exposure and gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers, as well as an elevated risk for cancers of the throat, kidney, esophagus, and gallbladder."
-It can take from 10 to 40 years or more for symptoms of an asbestos-related condition to appear.
-According to Allaboutmalignantmesothelioma.com, there is no minimum level of exposure to asbestos that is safe. So if you have had any type of exposure to asbestos, you are at risk (but you don't necessarily have mesothelioma).

Statistics:
-The risk of developing lung cancer is five times greater for those exposed to asbestos.
-Smokers who have had exposure to asbestos, chance of developing mesothelioma is 55 times greater than normal.

Odds of Getting an Asbestos-Related Disease
I can't tell you exact odds but the National Cancer Institute lists this combination of contributing factors:
-Dose (how much asbestos an individual was exposed to).
-Duration (how long an individual was exposed).
-Size, shape, and chemical makeup of asbestos fibers.
-Source of exposure.
-Individual risk factors, such as smoking and pre-existing lung disease.

So your odds increase if you have one or more of these factors.

I hope this is helpful.

Make sure to talk to your doctor, especially if you think you have been exposed to asbestos.
Source(s):
http://www.allaboutmalignantmesothelioma.com/mesothelioma-risk.htm
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/asbestos
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/mesothelioma-treatment-patient-information-n...
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_What_are_the_risk_fact...
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/pagerender.fcgi?artid=1292032&pageinde...

Asker's Rating:
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