Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma which occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms like fatigue or chest pain that may be similar to other conditions.

These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best method to obtain a correct diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that runs along the heart, known as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest mesothelioma types, making up about 1 to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Similar to mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in a variety of household and commercial products for a long time. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed or trapped in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only identified a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a few instances. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to this cancer in the pericardium, however they know that it happens in 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In the majority of instances, an individual exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal melanoma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the testes of males. It is sometimes difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart conditions.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impact your ability to breathe. The symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by running an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of the disease and guide them to the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos lawsuit exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Patients who have a family history of mesothelioma have a higher risk, too.

Symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 % of all malignant mesothelioma cases, is primarily found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and may be a sign of other diseases which makes it difficult to diagnose.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know the causes of pericardial cancer, but they believe that asbestos particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body such as the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining in the heart.

The mesothelium is a lining that covers both the abdomen and chest. This is where most mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease can also develop in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However, this is much less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as mesothelioma pericardial may take years to surface after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases that cause chest pain, difficulty in breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, which is a condition where fingers get swollen and look more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium by looking at the patient's medical history. They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis, they will also take samples of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. It is crucial that patients report all symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and correctly determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify. The symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions and may not be apparent until the disease has advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to identify. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissue there. As time passes the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells which develop into tumors. Because of tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to spot any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.

Patients with mesothelioma must be prepared to discuss their work history with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we can recover compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the numerous laws that affect asbestos attorney victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will guide you through the entire process from start to finish. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

To properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present doctors must conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then perform a variety of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the signs and determine if there is fluid buildup in the pericardium.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. Because of this long time period of latency, it's essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to see a physician immediately. They should also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos lawyer so that they are able to receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma is responsible for less than 1percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can mimic other heart diseases or symptoms.

A physician will first examine the patient and observe their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor may also order a CT or MRI scan of the chest to check for tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely require an echocardiogram in order to determine how the heart functions and determine if there is any lining that is thickening.

Once the doctor has concluded that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove tiny pieces of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma is a more limited range of treatments than other types of cancer, a large percentage of victims will not survive the disease. However, there are some new treatment options being studied that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient in order to combat certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to train a patient's immune system to fight the cancer.