Mesothelioma Caused by Arsenic
Long-term exposure to arsenic can result in symptoms such as pins and needles on the toes and fingers and garlic smell on the skin and breath, as well as changes in the skin's pigmentation. It also increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
The most common exposure to arsenic is through drinking contaminated water or eating food that is grown in soils that have been contaminated. It can also occur at work, if you are working on asbestos-related project.
Causes
Arsenic is an element naturally occurring that is found in a variety of parts of the world's ecosystem. It is required for the human body to function, but excessive exposure could cause serious health problems. Exposure for long periods can lead to mesothelioma and other cancers, as well as lung and heart diseases. Exposure can occur when workers work in certain industries or consume contaminated food. This element can also be found in soil and in water, specifically in areas where mining and smelting have occurred.
Inorganic arsenic can be found in high levels in the groundwater of several countries including Argentina, Bangladesh China, India, and Mexico. The most frequent exposure is through drinking contaminated water or eating plants which were irrigated by arsenic-contaminated water. It is consumed in the form or fish, shellfish meat and dairy products.
Exposure to arsenic can trigger short-term symptoms like skin pigmentation, nausea and diarrhea however, the most hazardous adverse effects are caused by chronic or prolonged exposure. It is linked to an increased incidence of kidney, bladder, and skin cancers. Heart disease and diabetes are also linked. Exposure to radiation can affect a person's cognitive capabilities and intelligence.
Arsenic interferes in the endocrine system of the body, according to research. The system that regulates the endocrine gland is responsible for maintaining homeostasis and guiding growth and development, so interference can have far-reaching consequences. Scientists are now able prove that even very low levels of exposure can impact the endocrine system and cause numerous health issues.
Arsenic exposure can happen at work when using products that contain the substance, for example, metal-based pesticides and wood treatment chemicals. Arsenic is also found in water or food that is contaminated, like rice. TOXMAP is a well-known online tool that offers information about arsenic contamination in the United States. It contains maps of the United States and information on chemical releases made by government agencies. You can also test for arsenic levels in their own drinking water by using an in-person testing service.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of body organs, including the lung. It takes years to develop and is most often diagnosed in patients with a history of exposure to asbestos. is mesothelioma always caused by asbestos can experience a variety of symptoms, such as chest pain, coughing and breath shortness. A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to receive treatment that will enhance your quality of life and increase your life expectancy. A wrong diagnosis can hinder the process and lead to an unnecessary delay in obtaining effective treatments.
The time of arsenic-related lung cancer is different than for asbestos- and radon-induced tumors. The carcinogen affects cells in different ways. Asbestos and radon are able to affect the cells that line the lungs, but arsenic targets these cells in other areas of the body. A new study suggests this distinction could be the reason the risk of arsenic-related cancers remain elevated after exposure to the substance has stopped.
This study examined people from northern Chile who had been exposed to high levels of arsenic through their water supply. In the 1950s, water from rivers containing arsenic at high levels was diverted for 13 years to Antofagasta. This resulted in an increase in the number of cancers including bladder and lung cancers, for 13 years starting in the 1950s.
While asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma, other minerals can also cause the disease, such as mercury, lead, and tin. Asbestos fibres are small and can be inhaled easily. These fibres can cause irritation to the lungs and create abnormal cancer cells. It typically takes between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Doctors use a variety of tests to determine if mesothelioma is. This includes a physical exam as well as blood tests and imaging scans. A patient's doctor could recommend an expert for these tests. These tests can aid in confirming the diagnosis of mesothelioma as well as determine if 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). Additionally, doctors may require an in-person biopsy of the tumor. A biopsy is the process of removing the smallest amount of tissue or fluid from the mesothelioma cancer and then analysing it under a microscope to look for cancerous cells.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma affects the tissues surrounding organs. It is usually found in the tissue (pleura) of the lungs, however it can also affect the tissues surrounding the heart and abdomen. Exposure to asbestos can be at work or in construction materials. Asbestos is made up of an assortment of minerals that can be separated into long, thin fibers. They can be breathed into the lungs, where they can cause mesothelioma. Asbestos can be swallowed, or expelled through coughing, which can cause peritoneal cancer. After exposure, mesothelioma can take up to 60 years to develop.
Other chemicals can cause mesothelioma. Arsenic can be found in drinking water that has been contaminated and certain types of waste, and even certain food items. Asbestos can be transmitted through second-hand exposure, such as those who have asbestos on their clothes or equipment bring asbestos fibers home to loved relatives. People in professions that involve long-term exposure to asbestos - such as miners, shipyard workers, and construction personnel are at a higher risk of being exposed. Mesothelioma, however, can occur in people who have never been exposed to asbestos at work.
The unique geographic location of northern Chile makes it an ideal area to study patterns over time of latency for arsenic related diseases. Antofagasta was the largest city in the region, and had arsenic levels high in its drinking water between 1958 and 1970. These levels fell after the construction of an treatment plant.
In this case control study of 306 bladder and 232 lung cancer cases as well as 640 ageand gender-matched controls researchers found evidence of dose-response relations 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 design strategies to lower long-term risks and obtain the funds needed to implement these strategies. They can also help improve the screening process for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed using blood tests, X-rays or an exploratory surgery called biopsy.
Treatment
Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that can be fatal, affects the tissues around vital organs such as the lungs or abdomen. The disease is often caused by asbestos fibres as well as other contaminants in the environment. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma by performing tests on the blood and imaging scans. Patients suffering from mesothelioma should inform their oncologists of any asbestos exposure they have had in the past to avoid being misdiagnosed.
Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pains and trouble breathing. It can take between 15 and 40 years for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest following exposure, and males are more affected than women. Mesothelioma is usually treated using chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. However, this is not accessible to everyone suffering from mesothelioma. Patients should consult a specialist.
Recent research on mesothelioma sufferers in northern Chile has revealed that arsenic is the cause of the oxidative stress. This oxidative stress triggers the formation of free radicals, which can cause DNA damage and increase the risk of mesothelioma and other illnesses. Arsenic compounds, like arsenite and arsenate, interfere with the cellular redox reaction and interfere with phosphate transport. This can cause an increase in the polarization of the mitochondrial membrane, as well as glutathione loss, which increases free radicals.
Asbestos is known as a lung cancer causing agent as is arsenic, radon and other chemicals. These chemicals can trigger many molecular modifications. These include epigenetic mutations and mutations. modifications such as DNA methylation. Asbestos and arsenic have been associated with pleural mesothelioma which is the most prevalent mesothelioma. When fibres are inhaled, or coughed into the lungs, they can cause peritoneal cancer.
In contrast to other highly exposed areas in the world, northern Chile only has a handful of large water supplies for the public, and these have established arsenic levels that are well-known, with numerous historical records. These factors made it possible to make accurate estimates of lifetime exposure for the subjects of the study. With this information researchers were able to establish clear dose-response correlations between arsenic exposure and lung and bladder cancers, in both smokers and nonsmokers. The results revealed an increase in cancer risk when arsenic levels in drinking water increased.