Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma that occurs in the heart's lining (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms like fatigue or chest pain that can mimic other conditions.

The symptoms can take a long time to manifest following exposure to asbestos and can be difficult to diagnose. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their physician to ensure a reliable diagnosis.

What causes pericardial mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart, also known as the pericardium. This is a rare type of mesothelioma which can be found in 1% to 2 % of all cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma, pericardial is associated with asbestos exposure.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral has been used for a long time in a wide range of household and commercial products. The toxic fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and they can end up in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that get irritated and develop into tumors that eventually spread throughout the body.

Doctors have only found an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a few instances. Although they aren't sure how asbestos causes this cancer of the pericardium to develop but they do know that about one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is partly because it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos.

The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. This cancer forms in the lung's lining as well as the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. It is sometimes difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma in the event that the symptoms are similar to those of other heart conditions.

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear gradually and affect breathing. The symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient has the rare form of the disease and determine the most effective treatment. Other factors, including genetics, an weakened immune system, and exposure to radiation, can increase the risk of mesothelioma pericardial. Those who have mesothelioma-related family history have an increased risk of developing it as well.

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than 1percent of all malignant cases of mesothelioma is typically found in people exposed to asbestos at work or in close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have various symptoms that are difficult to identify.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles adhere to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos attorney particles are the reason. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from another area of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium. This is the primary site for mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease may also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, however this is much less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as pericardial mesothelioma, can take decades to show up after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other conditions and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing and fatigue, weight loss and a persistent cough. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma could cause clubbing of the fingers, a condition in which the fingers expand and appear more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they'll also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare condition that is not acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can cause serious symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor in order to be examined for mesothelioma or other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of your symptoms and will be able to correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to recognize. Symptoms often mimic more common heart disorders and may not be apparent until the disease has progressed substantially. Asbestos exposure can happen decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed and it is difficult to identify the connection. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should consult their doctor about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.

The exact cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known however, doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that travel from the lungs into the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue there. In time, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells that develop into tumors. The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart as a result of the tumors and the resulting pressure causes stress on the organ and causes symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to identify any extra fluids or tumors. They then run tests in the blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are growing.

Patients with mesothelioma should also be prepared to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with an asbestos-related past may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma litigation.

A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation will help you understand the legal options available to you if you or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and has developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. No fees are charged unless we can obtain compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the laws that apply to asbestos victims, and can assist you in receiving the benefits you deserve. Complete our online claim form or contact us for assistance. 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 identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then conduct a variety of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the signs and determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos claim fibers to penetrate the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to grow. It is crucial that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms see a doctor promptly due to the long time of latency. They should also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos to ensure they get the best treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest types of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of identifying this condition because it can be a symptom of other heart conditions and symptoms.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by a physician who will listen to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest to look for tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely order an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart is functioning and to determine whether there is any lining that is thickening.

Once the doctor has determined that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it's malignant. During a biopsy, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to the lab for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatments than other types, many patients will not be able to recover from the disease. New treatment options are being studied to offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, that aims to boost the body's immune system to fight cancer.