Mesothelioma Caused by Arsenic
Arsenic can cause symptoms like pins and numbness on the fingers and hands and a garlic-like odor on the breath and skin and changes in the skin's coloration. It also increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
The most common exposure to arsenic is through drinking water contaminated by arsenic or eating food that is grown in soils that are contaminated. It can also happen at work, if you are working on asbestos-related projects.
Causes
Arsenic is naturally present in a variety of parts of our ecosystem. It is essential for the human body to function, however excessive exposure can lead to serious health problems. Long-term exposure to asbestos can cause cancer and heart disease, as well mesothelioma and lung conditions. Exposure can happen when workers work in certain industries or consume contaminated food. The element can also be present in water and soil particularly in areas where smelting or mining have occurred.
Inorganic arsenic is found in high levels in groundwater in various countries including Argentina, Bangladesh, China, India and Mexico. Consuming water that is contaminated or eating plants that have been irrigated by arsenic-contaminated water are among the most frequent sources of exposure. It can be consumed in the form or shellfish meat, fish and dairy products.
Although exposure to arsenic in the short term can trigger symptoms like skin pigmentation, nausea, diarrhea and weakness, the most dangerous effects are triggered by prolonged or continuous exposure. It is linked to an increased incidence of kidney, bladder, and skin cancers. Heart disease and diabetes are also linked. The exposure can affect a person's cognitive abilities and their intelligence.
Arsenic is a contaminant to the body's endocrine systems according to research. The endocrine system is responsible for maintaining the body's homeostasis and also controlling growth and developmental processes. Therefore, interference can have serious consequences. Scientists are now able demonstrate that even small amounts of exposure can alter the endocrine system and trigger numerous health issues.
Exposure to arsenic can happen at work when workers are using a product that has the substance, like metal-based pesticides or wood treatment chemicals. It could also happen when people consume food items that contain arsenic or drink water, like rice. TOXMAP is a popular online tool that provides information on arsenic contamination within the United States. It includes maps of the United States and information on chemical releases made by government agencies. Local testing services can be utilized to determine the presence of arsenic.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a rare kind of cancer that affects the lining of the body's organs, including the lungs. It can take years for it to develop and is often found in people who have been exposed to asbestos. Patients may experience chest pain, coughing, and shortness breath. Finding a reliable mesothelioma diagnosis is the first step to receiving treatment that can extend life expectancy and improve quality of life. A misdiagnosis can derail the process and lead to delays in the delivery of effective treatments.
The latency period for lung cancer caused by arsenic differs from asbestos- and cancers caused by radon. The carcinogen affects cells in different ways. Asbestos and radon act on the lung cells, but arsenic targets these cells in other parts of the body. This distinction according to a new study, may explain why the relative risk of cancer caused by arsenic remains high even after exposure has ended.
This study focused on people living in northern Chile who were exposed to high levels of arsenic through their water supply. Water from rivers that contained high concentrations of the mineral was pumped to Antofagasta, the capital city. Antofagasta for 13 years starting in the 1950s. This resulted in an increase in cancer rates including bladder and lung cancers for 13 years beginning in the 1950s.
Other minerals, such as lead and tin, can cause mesothelioma as well. Asbestos is comprised of microscopic fibres which can be easily inhaled. These fibres can damage the lungs, causing irritation and creating abnormal cancerous cells. Mesothelioma usually develops 20-60 years after exposure to asbestos.
Doctors use a variety of tests to determine if mesothelioma is. This includes a physical exam, blood tests and imaging scans. A patient's GP might recommend them to a specialist for these tests, which will aid doctors in confirming the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine if it has spread to other areas of the body. Imaging scans may include X-rays (computer tomography), MRI (magnetic imaging) and PET scans (positron emission Tomography). Doctors may also request a biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing a small amount of tissue or fluid from the mesothelioma tumor and then analysing it under a microscope to check for cancerous cells.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects organs' surrounding tissues. It is most often found in the lining of the lungs (pleura) but it can also occur in the tissues surrounding the abdomen and heart. The exposure to asbestos can occur at work or in building materials. Asbestos is minerals that can be separated to form long, thin fibers. They can be inhaled into the lungs, and can cause mesothelioma. Asbestos can also be coughed up and swallowed, which can result in peritoneal mesothelioma. After exposure, mesothelioma may take up to 60 years to develop.
While the majority of mesotheliomas can be caused by asbestos, other chemicals can cause mesothelioma as well. Arsenic can be found in drinking water that has been contaminated, certain types of waste, and even in some foods. Asbestos is spread by secondary exposure. For instance, people who have asbestos on their clothing and equipment transfer the fibers to their family members. People who work in occupations that require long-term exposure to asbestos - such as miners, shipyard workers, and construction personnel are at a higher risk of exposure. However, mesothelioma can occur in those who have no occupational exposure.
The unique geographic location of northern Chile makes it an ideal area to study long-term patterns of latency for arsenic related diseases. The largest city in the region, Antofagasta, received high levels of arsenic in the drinking water from 1958 until 1970. These levels decreased after the construction of an treatment plant.
Researchers discovered that arsenic exposure can cause cancer in a case-control study that involved 232 lung cancer cases as well as 306 bladder cancers, and 640 controls of the same gender and age. 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 plan strategies to reduce risk over time and get the funds needed to implement these strategies. They could aid in improving the screening process for mesothelioma as well. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed using X-rays, blood tests and an exploratory surgery known as biopsy.
Treatment
Mesothelioma, a rare cancer which can be fatal, is a disease that affects the tissues surrounding vital organs like the lungs or abdomen. The disease is usually caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, but it can also develop as a result of water sources that are contaminated or other environmental pollutants. A doctor will diagnose mesothelioma following blood tests and imaging scans. most common cause of mesothelioma suffering from mesothelioma should inform their oncologists about any asbestos exposure they have had in the past to avoid an incorrect diagnosis.
Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pains, and trouble breathing. It may take 15-40 years for mesothelioma development following exposure, and males are more affected than women. Mesothelioma is typically treated with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. This treatment is not available to all who suffers from mesothelioma. Patients need to consult a doctor.
A recent study of mesothelioma sufferers in northern Chile discovered that arsenic-related oxygenative stress triggers the mesothelioma. This oxidative strain triggers the production of free radicals that can harm DNA which increases the risk of mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Arsenic compounds, such as arsenite or arsenate, interfere with cellular redox reactions and interfere with phosphate transport. This can lead an increase in the polarization of the mitochondrial membrane and a glutathione loss, which increases free radicals.
Asbestos is known as a lung cancer causer as is arsenic, radon and other chemicals. These chemicals can cause many molecular modifications. These include mutations, gene amplification and epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation. Asbestos and arsenic have been associated with pleural mesothelioma which is the most frequent type of mesothelioma. They can also cause peritoneal mesothelioma when the fibres are inhaled and then coughed up into the lung.
Northern Chile unlike many other areas that are extremely exposed it has only a few major water supplies. These contain arsenic levels that are well-known and have extensive records from the past. These factors enabled researchers to calculate precise estimates of lifetime exposure for the study's subjects. Researchers were able to utilize this information to establish clear dose-response connections between arsenic, lung and bladder cancer in smokers and non-smokers. The results revealed an increase in cancer risk as arsenic levels in drinking water increased.