Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, a part of the lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other conditions.

These symptoms can take years to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What causes mesothelioma of the pericardium?

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

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in a variety of commercial and household items for a long time. Its toxic fibers are easily swallowed or inhaled and can be caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils are irritated, and they form tumors that spread to other parts of the body.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of cases. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, however they do know that it occurs in a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In most instances, a person exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal melanoma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the male testes. It is sometimes difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is in the event that the symptoms are similar to those of other heart problems.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can impact the ability of breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a fluid accumulation around the heart known as pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist will determine if a patient is suffering from this rare form of disease and assist them in finding the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics, an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases the risk.

Symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer which is responsible for less than one percent of mesothelioma that is malignant it is mostly discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or in the home of someone who was affected by asbestos legal. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos claim particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to develop tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors do not know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos settlement particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from a different part of the body like the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and then to the lining inside the heart.

The chest and abdomen are both called the mesothelium, which is the primary location for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles but this is not as frequent.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial can take a long time to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other diseases and may include chest pain, difficulty breathing and weight loss, fatigue and a constant cough. In certain cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, which is an illness in which the fingers swell up and look more round than normal.

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

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition, and many doctors do not recognize the symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma or other ailments. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and will be able to correctly determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not be apparent until the disease has advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur decades before pericardial mesothelioma appears, making the connection difficult to recognize. However, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue there. Over time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and expand the pericardium. Because of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to detect abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding.

Patients with mesothelioma must be ready to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can help you determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. No fee is charged unless we can obtain compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the numerous laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our claim online form or contact us for assistance. We will guide you through the entire process from start to finish. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.

Treatment

In order to properly identify pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then perform various tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms and determine if there is fluid buildup in the pericardium.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. It is vital that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms seek out a physician promptly due to the lengthy delay. It is also important to be candid about any previous exposure to asbestos so they can receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial Mesothelioma (PM), one of the rarest mesothelioma types is responsible for less than one percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of identifying this condition as it can mimic other heart conditions or signs.

The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical examination by an expert physician who listens to a 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 check for any tumors. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely require an echocardiogram in order to determine how the heart is functioning and to see if there is any lining thickening.

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 it's malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will remove tiny pieces of fluid or tissue and send samples to a laboratory for further analysis.

Since pericardial mesothelioma is an enumeration of treatments than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the disease. However, there are new treatments being developed that may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient in order to combat certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims at training a patient's immunity to fight cancer.