Radiation
and Mesothelioma Cancer
In decades it has been assumed that the only cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. While this asbestos is indeed responsible for most cases of mesothelioma cancer. But gradually there may be other risk factors for this disease.
Around the world, a number of cases of mesothelioma without any causal link to asbestos have been diagnosed. As one fact, a 1980 patient study (McDonald and McDonald) in the US and Canada determined that between 25 percent and 33 percent of all cases were unrelated to asbestos exposure. The physician who discovered initially was confused to explain. However, with some in-depth research and studies of some scientists and medical professionals may determine that some patients with mesothelioma of the chest cavity have another similar factor of exposure to radiation.
In decades it has been assumed that the only cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. While this asbestos is indeed responsible for most cases of mesothelioma cancer. But gradually there may be other risk factors for this disease.
Around the world, a number of cases of mesothelioma without any causal link to asbestos have been diagnosed. As one fact, a 1980 patient study (McDonald and McDonald) in the US and Canada determined that between 25 percent and 33 percent of all cases were unrelated to asbestos exposure. The physician who discovered initially was confused to explain. However, with some in-depth research and studies of some scientists and medical professionals may determine that some patients with mesothelioma of the chest cavity have another similar factor of exposure to radiation.
Radiation Treatment, X-ray, and Mesothelioma
Several dozen cases of mesothelioma through radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease have been found. A 2005 study entitled "Clinical Course of Thoracic Cancers in Hodgkin's Disease Survivors" (P. Das, AK Ng, MA Stevenson, and PM Mauch) properly determined that patients with Hodgkin's disease who were treated with radiation therapy have a higher risk of disease mesothelioma.
In particular, the study followed 33 Hodgkin patients treated at Harvard hospital and had grown mesothelioma of small cell lung cancer. Of the participating patients, 88 percent had a history of radiotherapy for thorax as a treatment for their illness. Some patients have had chest cancer only within a year after being treated for Hodgkin's disease. While other Hodgkin sufferers contracted mesotheliokma after more than two decades later. As in most people with mesothelioma, most patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma when it reaches stage III or IV and the prognosis is very difficult. The average survival rate is only 9 months.
In some cases, peritoneal mesothelioma has also been associated with radiation therapy for breast cancer or other cancers performed to the chest area
Other studies have linked cancer mesothelioma and thorium dioxide, a radioactive substance used in conjunction with conventional x-rays to diagnose certain conditions. Thorium dioxide is widely used from the 1920s to the 1950s.
Atomic Radiation and Mesothelioma
In 1995, it has been diagnosed the first case of mesothelioma and believed to be associated with an atom bomb incident in Nagasaki. A report in this case, authored by Masami Mizuki, Keiko Yukishige, Yasuharu Abe, and Tomiyasu Tsuda published in the journal Respirology in September 1997. They argue that the combination of exposure to atomic radiation and asbestos (patient worked for 2 years as a shipbuilder in a mill ammunition) is associated with an increased incidence of mesothelioma.
The doctors who wrote the study argued that, "If pleural thickening or pleural effusion is found in atomic bomb victims, malignant mesothelioma should be considered as an option in differential diagnosis, even in the event of atomic bomb attacks decades ago."
Atomic Energy Workers and Mesothelioma
There appears to be a potential connection to the occurrence of mesothelioma with a place where there is radiation exposure. Over the last few decades, some people today or who previously worked at an atomic energy plant have been diagnosed with rare cancer. In this case it is thought to be caused by constant exposure to low levels of radiation. (Ionizing radiation: A risk factor for cancer; JE Goodman et al, 2009) It is important and should be noted is the authors concluded that given the low rate of mesothelioma in the general population as well as an increased risk of the disease on individuals who are exposed to radiation, including those working in atomic power plant.
Relationship Between Radiation and Mesothelioma
Knowing about the relationship between radiation and mesothelioma is one step to accelerate diagnosis and save many people who have been identified as potential victims of mesothelioma. Anyone who has been exposed to radiation in any form, either regularly in the workplace or through x-ray or through therapy for other cancers chest, should always tell their doctor about medical history and a history of work despite the radiation exposure occurred a few years earlier. Therefore, if symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and cough can be determined in relation to the medical history and history of the patient's work, a correct diagnosis can be made and the treatment of mesothelioma begins as soon as possible.
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