Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma, which is found in the heart's lining (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms like fatigue or chest pain that may mimic other ailments.

It can take a long time for these symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What causes mesothelioma of the pericardium?

Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, known as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma which accounts for 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma, pericardial is connected to asbestos exposure.

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

Only a handful of doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they do not know what causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium but they do know that approximately 25% of mesothelioma sufferers are affected. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos.

In the majority of instances, an individual who is exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma. It is found in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. There is also the possibility of developing testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. It is sometimes difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is when the symptoms are similar to other heart diseases.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impair your ability to breathe. The symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition through an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or the pericardial biopsy.

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

Signs and symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by mooresville asbestos lawyer fibers reaching the tissue surrounding the heart. This rare form of cancer, which makes up less than one percent of all malignant cases of mesothelioma is found most often in people who have been exposed to asbestos at work or in close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and can mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.

As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium's lining they can cause tumors to grow and make the membrane thicker. Doctors don't know how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from an area of the body, like the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.

The chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. This is the main site for the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease may also begin in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles though this is far less common.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, including pericardial mesothelioma, can take decades to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases such as chest pain, difficulty in breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In some cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing. This is an illness in which fingers get swollen and look more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium based on a patient's medical background. They will ask the patient about previous asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis they will also collect an x-ray or a sample of tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition and a large number of doctors do not recognize the signs. It is essential for patients to report all of their symptoms to their doctor so that they can be tested for mesothelioma and 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 diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms may be similar to other heart ailments and may not manifest until the disease has advanced. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur years before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to detect. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should consult their physician about any symptoms that may be related to asbestos.

The cause of mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear However, doctors believe it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue there. In time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and expand the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

Typically, doctors perform imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then they run tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spread of cancerous cells.

Patients with mesothelioma should also be prepared to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a past of exposure to asbestos could be entitled to compensation in a mesothelioma suit.

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

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have fayette asbestos lawyer-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of 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 call us to begin. We will guide you through the entire process from beginning to the point of completion. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.

Treatment

To properly diagnose pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then use various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.

Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, causing cancerous cells. It is essential that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms see a doctor promptly due to the lengthy time of latency. It is also essential to be upfront about their prior exposure to asbestos in order to get the best treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases and signs.

A physician will first examine the patient and observe their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor can also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest to look for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely require an echocardiogram in order to check how well the heart is functioning and to determine whether there is any lining that is thickening.

If the doctor is able to determine that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. In a biopsy procedure doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to the laboratory for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma is a smaller range of treatments than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the cancer. However, there are new treatment options being studied that may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient in order to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, that aims to boost the body's immune system to fight cancer.