Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a tissue that surrounds the heart. This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms like fatigue or chest pain that may be similar to other conditions.

The symptoms can take a long time to manifest following exposure to asbestos which makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to ensure a reliable diagnosis.

What is the cause of pericardial mesothelioma?

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

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in many common household and commercial products for many years. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and can be caught in the chest's lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only identified an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a handful of instances. They are still unable to fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to this type of cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure.

In the majority of instances, an individual exposed to asbestos case can develop pleural mesothelioma. It forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the male testes. It can be difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma if the symptoms are similar to other heart conditions.

Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear slowly and can affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a fluid accumulation around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by performing an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or the pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of the disease and find the best treatment. Other factors, including genetics, a weak immune system, and exposure to radiation could increase the risk of pericardial msothelioma. Those with a family history of mesothelioma have a higher risk of developing it as well.

Symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer that accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant it is mostly seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with many symptoms that are difficult to identify.

Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles adhere to the pericardial lining and begin to develop tumors that thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is the reason for mesothelioma pericardial, although doctors aren't sure how it develops. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from a different part of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining for both the abdomen and chest. This is where the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles but this is not as frequent.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as pericardial mesothelioma may take years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are typically similar to other illnesses and can include chest pain, difficulties breathing and fatigue, weight loss and a constant cough. In some cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, which is an illness in which fingers become swollen and look rounder than normal.

Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis, they will also take a sample of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors are unable to recognize the signs. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of your symptoms and can accurately diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose. Its symptoms are often akin to other heart conditions that are more common and may not be apparent until the condition has advanced substantially. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur years before the onset of pericardial cancer, making the link hard to detect. However, anyone who has had a history of asbestos should share their exposure history with their doctors and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.

Doctors do not know the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lung into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and thicken the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

Typically, doctors perform imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors. Then, they conduct tests on blood 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 are at a higher risk of developing asbestos related illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a past of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation in a mesothelioma suit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can help understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the laws affecting asbestos victims and will assist you in receiving the benefits you deserve. Complete our online claim form or call us to begin. We will walk you through the entire process from start to the end. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

Doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure in order to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then utilize various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. It is vital that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms see a doctor as soon as possible due to the long latency period. They should also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos in order to get the best treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart diseases and symptoms.

The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical exam conducted by an experienced physician who listens to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor can also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling and check for tumors. If they detect fluid in the pericardium, they will request an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and determine whether the lining has become thicker.

Once the doctor has determined that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. During a biopsy doctors take small pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to a laboratory for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma offers 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 new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient in order to fight specific diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to build the immune system of a patient to fight cancer.