Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma, which is found in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma usually produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.

The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to make sure they get a proper diagnosis.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is a rare type of mesothelioma, which is responsible for 1 to 2 % of all cases. Like all mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was extensively used in a wide range of commercial and household items. Its harmful fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and they can end up in the chest's lining and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma in just a small number of cases. Although they do not know the exact mechanism that causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to grow but they do know that approximately one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos attorney exposure.

In most instances, an individual exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma located in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it may be difficult to diagnose because symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other heart diseases.

Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear gradually and impact breathing. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a build-up of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can determine if a patient suffers from this rare type of disease and guide them to the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics as well as an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. People with mesothelioma in their family are at a higher risk, too.

Signs and symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers reaching the heart's tissue. This rare form of cancer, which makes up less than 1% of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is most commonly found in those who have been exposed to asbestos at work or in close proximity to someone who has been affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult.

When asbestos particles stick to the pericardium's lining they can cause tumors to develop and increase the thickness of the membrane. Doctors don't know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors believe that the cancer spread from another part of the body such as the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining of the heart.

The chest and abdomen are both called the mesothelium, which is the main site for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also develop in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However it is not as common.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, including pericardial mesothelioma can take a long time to show up after exposure to asbestos legal (Suggested Browsing). The symptoms are usually similar to other illnesses and may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, weight loss, fatigue, and an ongoing cough. In some instances, pericardial mesothelioma could cause a swollen finger this is a condition that causes the fingertips swell and appear more round than normal.

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

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and many doctors are not aware of the signs. It is important for patients to report all of their symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and can accurately determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize. The symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions and may not be apparent until the disease has advanced. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the connection difficult to identify. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should talk to their physician about any symptoms that could be related to asbestos.

The cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue there. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be ready to discuss their history of work with their physician. asbestos workers face a high risk of developing asbestos lawsuit-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had an asbestos-related past may qualify for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.

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

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws that affect asbestos case victims and can help you receive the benefits you deserve. Fill out our claim online 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 should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure in order to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then conduct a series of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the symptoms and determine if there's an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.

Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. Due to this long time period of latency, it's important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to talk to a doctor immediately. They should also be honest about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they are able to receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma (PM), one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of identifying this condition as it may be similar to other heart diseases or signs.

The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by an experienced physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to detect tumors and find areas of swelling. If they detect fluid in the pericardium they will order an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's function and see whether the lining has become thicker.

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

Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatment options than other types of cancer, a large percentage of sufferers will not recover from the disease. However, there are some new treatments being developed that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient in order to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, which aims at training the body's immune system to fight cancer.