Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma, which is found in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other ailments.
These symptoms can take years to manifest following exposure to asbestos which makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should share their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to ensure a correct diagnosis.
What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin membrane lining the heart. It is a rare type of mesothelioma, which accounts for 1% to 2 % of all cases. Like all other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in a wide range of commercial and household products for a long time. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or trapped in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils become irritated and form tumors that then spread throughout the body.
Doctors have only identified a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of cases. While they don't know what causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to develop however, they do know that around a quarter all mesothelioma patients are affected. This is in part because it is usually diagnosed decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.
Most people who are exposed to asbestos develop pleural msothelioma. This cancer forms in the lung's lining as well as the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma, in the testes of males. It is sometimes difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is in the event that the symptoms are similar to those of other heart diseases.
Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to develop slowly and can affect breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a fluid accumulation 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 will determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of disease and guide them to the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases your risk.
Signs and symptoms
As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which makes up less than 1% of mesothelioma that is malignant is found most often in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or in close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and may be a sign of other diseases and make it difficult to determine the cause.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles stick to the lining of the pericardium and begin to grow into tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spreads from another area of the body like the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining inside the heart.
The lining of the chest and abdomen are called the mesothelium, which is the primary site for mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease may also begin in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles but this is not as frequent.
After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma symptoms can take years to manifest. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses such as chest pain, trouble breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In some cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, an illness where fingers get swollen and look rounder than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium by looking at the patient's medical history. 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. To confirm the diagnosis, they will also take samples of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition, and many doctors are not aware of the signs. Patients should report any symptoms to their physician to be examined for mesothelioma or other ailments. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and is able to properly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. Symptoms often mimic other heart conditions that are more common and may not appear until the disease has progressed substantially. Moreover, asbestos exposure can happen decades before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to identify. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should discuss their exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
Doctors do not know the exact cause of pericardial msothelioma. However, they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers which migrate from the lung to the pericardium and cause irritation to tissue. As time passes the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors. Because of tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors. Then, they conduct tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spread of cancerous cells.
Patients with mesothelioma must be ready to discuss their work history with their doctor. Asbestos workers are at greater chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a past of exposure to asbestos may be qualified for compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help you know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. No fee is charged unless we can recover compensation for you.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans with asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws affecting asbestos victims, and can assist you in receiving the benefits you deserve. Fill out our online claim form or call us to get started. We will guide you through the whole process. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.
Treatment
In order to properly diagnose pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then conduct various tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms and determine if there's an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.
It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. It is crucial that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms consult a doctor as soon as possible due to the lengthy time of latency. They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the best treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the mesothelioma forms that are rare and accounts for only about one percent of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases or symptoms.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination by an expert physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest in order to detect any areas of swelling, and also check for a tumor. If tacoma asbestos attorneys find fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they'll likely request an echocardiogram to check how well the heart is functioning and to determine if there is any thickening of the lining.
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 is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send samples to a laboratory to be tested further.
Many victims of pericardial sarcoidosis are not able to survive due to the fact that the treatment options are more limited than for other types. New treatment methods are being investigated that could improve the outcomes for patients. One such approach is gene therapy, which is the process of adding or removing genes from a body in order to fight diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, that aims to boost an individual's immunity to fight cancer.