Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, a part of the lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as chest pain and fatigue that may mimic other ailments.

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 for patients to share their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor.

What causes pericardial mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the thin membrane that lines the heart. This is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma which accounts for about one-third to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like all other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos settlement exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in a wide range of commercial and household products for a long time. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a small number of instances. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to this cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In most instances, a person exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma it may be difficult to identify because symptoms can be similar to those of other heart conditions.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can impair the ability of breathing. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a build-up of fluid around the heart known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by performing an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or an pericardial biopsy.

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

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer that accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is most often found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or in the home of someone who was affected by asbestos claim. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and can mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles stick to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors aren't sure the process by which pericardial cancer develops however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from another part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining in the heart.

The abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. This is the primary location for the majority of mesothelioma tumors grow. The disease may also start in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However it is not as common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as pericardial mesothelioma can take a long time to surface after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, difficulty in breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In certain cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing. This is an illness in which the fingers swell up and look rounder than normal.

Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests, such as 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 can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors do not recognize the symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their physician to be examined for mesothelioma or other diseases. 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 is a difficult cancer to recognize. Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart disorders and may not be apparent until the condition has advanced substantially. Moreover, asbestos exposure can happen decades before pericardial mesothelioma appears and makes the connection difficult to identify. Anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos, visit the following page, exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The exact cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known However, doctors believe it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissues there. As time passes, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells, which then transform into tumors. Because of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are generally carried out by doctors first to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they conduct tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.

Patients with mesothelioma should also be ready to discuss their work history with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we can get compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the various laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our online claim form or call us to begin. 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 can enjoy.

Treatment

To be able to accurately identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then perform a variety of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the signs and determine if there's fluid buildup in the pericardium.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos settlement fibers to penetrate the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. Due to this long time between latency, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to talk to a doctor immediately. They should also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest types of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1percent of mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart diseases and signs.

A doctor will first look over the patient and listen to their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor may also order a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely request an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart is functioning and to determine if there is any thickening of the lining.

Once the doctor has concluded there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. During a biopsy, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to the laboratory for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a more limited range of treatments than other types of cancer, a large percentage of victims will not survive the disease. New treatment methods are being researched to improve the outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or removing certain genes from the body of a patient in order to combat certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims at training the body's immune system to fight cancer.