Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other ailments.

It can take a long time for symptoms to manifest after asbestos exposure. This makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. The best way to make a correct diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.

What is the cause of mesothelioma pericardial?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin membrane lining the heart. This is a rare form of mesothelioma that accounts for 1% to 2 % of all cases. As with all types of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, was used for decades in a variety of household and commercial products. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

A few doctors have discovered a link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they do not know how asbestos causes this cancer of the pericardium however, they do know that approximately a quarter all mesothelioma patients are affected. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure.

In the majority of instances, a person exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal melanoma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the testes of males. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it is difficult to identify because symptoms often resemble the symptoms of other heart diseases.

The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to be gradual and may impact your ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart called pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of the disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases your risk.

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos legal fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is typically found in people exposed to asbestos in their work environment or in close proximity to someone who has been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to identify.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles adhere to the pericardial lining and begin to develop tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer originated from a different part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining of the abdomen and chest. This is where the majority of 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 of the pericardial region can take a long time to show up after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are typically similar to other diseases and may include chest pain, trouble breathing as well as weight loss, fatigue, and a constant cough. In some instances, pericardial mesothelioma can cause clubbing of the fingers the condition where the fingers swell and appear larger than usual.

Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos litigation, and then conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause, they will also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition, and a lot of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. It is important that patients report all their symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. Taking our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and is able to accurately diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to identify. Its symptoms are often akin to other heart conditions that are more common and may not appear until the condition has advanced significantly. In addition, exposure to asbestos can occur years before pericardial mesothelioma appears and makes the connection difficult to recognize. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should talk to their doctor about any symptoms that could be related to asbestos.

The reason for pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown However, doctors believe it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium and irritate the tissues there. Over time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells which develop into tumors. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results puts stress on the organ, which leads to symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are generally carried out by doctors first to identify any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma patients should be prepared to discuss their employment history with a physician. asbestos workers face a high chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help determine your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we are able to get compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the numerous laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or call us to get started. We will guide you through the entire process. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

In order to properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present doctors must conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then conduct a series of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the symptoms and determine if there's fluid buildup in the pericardium.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos law fibers to reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to grow. Because of this lengthy latency period, it is important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to talk to a doctor immediately. They should also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the best treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest types of mesothelioma and is the reason for only 1percent of mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart conditions and symptoms.

The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by a physician who will listen to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor might also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest to look for tumors and areas of swelling. If they detect fluid in the pericardium, they will request an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and see if the lining has thickened.

If the doctor is able to determine that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy doctors take small pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to a laboratory for further testing.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatment options than other types, a majority of sufferers will not recover from the cancer. However, there are some new treatments being developed which could provide better results for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which is the process of adding or removing genes from a body to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, that aims to boost a patient's immunity to fight cancer.