Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, which is a tissue that surrounds the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other health conditions.

It can take a long time for these symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. Patients should share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to ensure a reliable diagnosis.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that grows in the thin membrane that lines the heart. This is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma, making up about 1 to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma, pericardial is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in a wide range of commercial and household products for decades. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled and they can end up in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.

Only a handful of doctors have discovered a link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They do not yet know exactly how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium. However, they do know that it occurs in 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly because it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos.

The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural msothelioma. This cancer is found in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma located in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it is difficult to identify because symptoms often resemble the symptoms of other heart diseases.

The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to be gradual and may impair the ability of breathing. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a build-up of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by running an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or a pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma lawsuits specialist will determine whether a patient has this rare form of the disease and assist them in finding the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics, an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases the risk.

Signs and symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers reaching the heart's tissues. This rare form of cancer that accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant it is mostly seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace or living with someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult.

Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles stick to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors that thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is what causes pericardial mesothelioma lawsuit, though doctors know little about how it develops. Most doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body such as the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and finally to the lining in the heart.

The chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium. It is the primary site for mesothelioma attorney tumors to develop. The disease may also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, though this is far less frequent.

After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma lawyer symptoms can take years to manifest. The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases such as chest pain, difficulty in breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In certain cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, which is a condition where fingers get swollen and look more round than normal.

Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. They will also collect an x-ray or a tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors do not recognize the symptoms. It is crucial for patients to disclose all of their symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other conditions. Taking our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and can properly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose. The symptoms can be similar to other heart diseases and may not manifest until the disease has advanced. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur decades before the onset of pericardial cancer, making the link hard to recognize. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should talk to their doctor about any symptoms that could be related to asbestos.

The reason for mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known however, doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that travel from the lungs into the pericardium and irritate the tissue that is there. As time passes the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells that develop into tumors. Due to tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

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

Mesothelioma patients should be prepared to discuss their employment history with a doctor. Asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have an asbestos-related past may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can help determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we can obtain compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws that apply to asbestos victims and will assist you in receiving the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our online claim form or call us to get started. We'll guide you through the entire process from start to the end. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.

Treatment

To properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then conduct a series of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the signs and determine if there's fluid buildup in the pericardium.

Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining inside the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. It is essential that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms consult a doctor as soon as possible due to the lengthy latency period. They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos in order to receive the best treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is the reason for only 1% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart diseases or signs.

The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will request an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's function and determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened.

After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure, doctors remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further testing.

Many patients suffering from pericardial Sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatment options are more limited than for other kinds. However, there are new treatments being developed which could provide better results for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which is the process of adding or removing genes from a body in order to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training the body's immune system to fight cancer.