Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms such as chest pain and fatigue that may be similar to other conditions.

It could take years for these symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos lawyer. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is to share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.

What is the cause of pericardial mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. This is a rare form of mesothelioma that is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of all cases. Like all types of mesothelioma, pericardial is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally found mineral that was used in a variety of commercial and household products for many years. Its toxic fibers are easily swallowed or inhaled and they can get caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.

Doctors have only found a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a handful of instances. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in around quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly because it typically occurs years after exposure to asbestos.

Most people who are exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. This cancer is found in the lung's lining as well as the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms can be similar to those of other heart ailments.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis usually be gradual and may affect the ability of breathing. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a swell of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition can be diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of the disease and help them find the best treatment. In addition to asbestos legal exposure other factors that could increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases the risk.

Symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma is also caused by asbestos litigation fibers that penetrate the tissue surrounding the heart. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is most commonly found in people exposed to asbestos at work or within close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with many symptoms that can be difficult to identify.

When asbestos particles adhere to the pericardium's lining, they can cause tumors to expand and thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining of both the abdomen and chest. This is where the majority of mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease may also start in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However, this is much less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as mesothelioma of the pericardial region, can take decades to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are often similar to other diseases and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing and weight loss, fatigue and a constant cough. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma can cause clubbing of the fingers, a condition in which the fingertips swell and appear larger than usual.

Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. They will also collect an x-ray or a tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and many doctors are unable to recognize the symptoms. It is crucial that patients report all their symptoms to their doctor in order 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 can correctly determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to recognize. The symptoms often mirror more common heart disorders and may not appear until the disease has progressed substantially. Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial msothelioma can be diagnosed which makes it difficult to identify the connection. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should consult their doctor about any symptoms that could be related to asbestos.

Doctors do not know the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma. However, they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lung into the pericardium to cause irritation to tissue. Over time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells that develop into tumors. Fluid builds up around the heart as a result of the tumors and the pressure that results puts pressure on the organ and leads to symptoms.

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

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

A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation will assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you if or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. No fee is charged unless we can get compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws that affect asbestos victims and will assist you in obtaining the benefits you are entitled to. Get started on your claim now by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will guide you through the entire procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.

Treatment

To properly identify pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then use a variety of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the symptoms and determine if there's fluid accumulation in the pericardium.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. Because of this long time period of latency, it's important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to see a physician immediately. They should also be honest about any previous exposure to asbestos so they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma that accounts for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it can mimic other heart conditions and signs.

A doctor will first look over the patient and observe their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they find fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will likely require an echocardiogram in order to check how well the heart functions and to see if there is any lining that is thickening.

If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to the lab for further testing.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatments than other types, many victims will not survive the disease. However, there are new treatment methods being explored that may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient to combat certain diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training an individual's immunity to fight cancer.