Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, which is a tissue that surrounds the heart. This type of mesothelioma typically results in symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.

It can take years for symptoms to manifest after asbestos exposure. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to make an accurate diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of exposure to asbestos with their physician.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the thin membrane that lines the heart. This is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma which accounts for about 1% to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like all mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, was used for decades in a wide range of household and commercial products. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils become irritated and form tumors that spread to other parts of the body.

Doctors have only discovered a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma only in a small number of instances. They are still unable to fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it happens in a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it usually occurs years after asbestos exposure.

In the majority of cases, a person exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma. It 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 male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it is difficult to diagnose because symptoms often resemble the symptoms of other heart diseases.

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to come on gradually and affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart called pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics, an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. Patients with mesothelioma-related family history have a higher 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 one percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is found most often in people exposed to asbestos at work or within close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and mimic other conditions and make it difficult to determine the cause.

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. It is thought that this is what causes pericardial mesothelioma, though doctors aren't sure how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spreads from another area of the body like the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining inside the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining for both the chest and abdomen. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease may also begin in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, however this is much less frequent.

After asbestos exposure, symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to manifest. The symptoms are usually similar to other illnesses and may include chest pain, trouble breathing, fatigue, weight loss and an ongoing cough. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma may cause a swollen finger, a condition in which the fingertips swell and appear more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium by looking at the patient's medical history. They will ask the patient about their previous asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to examine the pericardium. They may also take samples of tissue or fluid to complete the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and many doctors do not recognize the signs. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma or other conditions. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and can correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms often mirror other heart conditions that are more common and may not appear until the disease has progressed substantially. asbestos legal exposure can occur years before pericardial msothelioma can be diagnosed and it is difficult to detect the link. However, anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should share their exposure with their doctor and inquire about any asbestos lawyer-related symptoms.

The cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known, but doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that travel from the lungs into the pericardium and irritate the tissue there. In time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and thicken the pericardium. Fluid builds up around the heart as a result of the tumors and the resulting pressure puts stress on the organ, which results in symptoms.

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

Patients with mesothelioma should also be prepared to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with an asbestos-related history may qualify for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos litigation and has recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. There is no cost unless we collect compensation on your behalf.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans with asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws that apply to asbestos victims and can assist you in receiving the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our claim online form or call us to get started. We will guide you through the entire process from beginning to the end. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

In order to properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then perform a variety of tests, such as Xrays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the signs and determine if there's fluid accumulation in the pericardium.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos attorney fibers to penetrate the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is crucial that anyone suffering from mesothelioma seek out a physician promptly because of the long latency period. They must also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos in order to receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest mesothelioma types that accounts for less than 1percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty in identifying this condition because it may be similar to other heart conditions and signs.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium, they will require an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and see whether the lining has become thicker.

Once the doctor has concluded that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy 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 lab for further testing.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has an enumeration 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 may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient to combat certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, which aims at training the body's immune system to fight cancer.