Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a tissue that surrounds the heart. This kind of mesothelioma usually produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can be similar to other health conditions.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to make a correct diagnosis is 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, referred to as the pericardium. It is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about 1 to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like all mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral has been used for a long time in a myriad of commercial and household items. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed, or trapped in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Only a handful of doctors have discovered a connection between asbestos case exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. While they don't know the exact mechanism that causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to grow however, they do know that about a quarter all mesothelioma patients are affected. This is partly because it usually occurs decades after exposure to asbestos.

In most instances, an individual who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma, which is found in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. It can be difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma in the event that the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear slowly and can affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart called pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by running an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and determine the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. Patients with a family history of mesothelioma are at a higher risk, too.

Signs and symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma that is malignant, is primarily found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or living with someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with many symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose.

As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium's lining they can cause tumors to develop and increase the thickness of the membrane. Doctors do not know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body such as the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining in the heart.

The lining of the abdomen and chest are called the mesothelium, which is the main site for the majority of mesothelioma tumors grow. The disease may also begin in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles however this is much less common.

After exposure to asbestos lawsuit, the mesothelioma symptoms may take years to show up. These symptoms are typically similar to other conditions and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, weight loss and an ongoing cough. In certain cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, an illness in which the fingers swell up and look rounder than normal.

Doctors identify pericardial mesothelioma on the basis of the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire with the patient about any asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to evaluate the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis they will also collect an x-ray or a sample of tissue.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare condition that isn't recognized by many doctors, can lead to serious symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma or other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist along prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to accurately diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. Symptoms often mimic other heart conditions that are more common and may not be apparent until the condition has advanced substantially. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the connection difficult to recognize. Nonetheless, anyone who has had a history of asbestos litigation should share their exposure history with their doctors and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.

Doctors do not know the exact cause of pericardial msothelioma. However, they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lung into the pericardium to irritate tissue. As time passes the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells which grow into tumors. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart as a result of the tumors and the resulting pressure puts stress on the organ and causes symptoms.

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

Mesothelioma patients should be prepared to discuss their work history with a doctor. asbestos workers are at a greater chance of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a past of exposure to asbestos may be qualified for compensation in a mesothelioma suit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can help understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we can recover compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws affecting asbestos victims and can assist you in receiving the benefits you deserve. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will help you through the entire procedure. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. 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 ask patients about their asbestos claim exposure background. They can then employ different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.

Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. It is essential that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms consult a doctor immediately due to the long time of latency. They must also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the best treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the mesothelioma forms that are rare and is the reason for only 1percent of mesothelioma cases identified. This is mainly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart diseases or symptoms.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical exam conducted by an expert physician who listens to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also request an MRI or CT scan of the chest to identify any areas of swelling, and also check for any tumors. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely order an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart is working and to see whether there is any thickening of the lining.

Once the doctor has concluded there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove small amounts of fluid or tissue and send samples to a laboratory to be tested further.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has a more limited range of treatment options than other types of cancer, a large percentage of sufferers will not recover from the cancer. However, there are some new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or removing certain genes from the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to build the immune system of the patient to fight cancer.