Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a part of the lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that can be similar to other health conditions.

These symptoms can take years to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to make a correct diagnosis is for patients to share their history of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What causes mesothelioma of the pericardium?

Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that surrounds the heart, known as the pericardium. This is a rare type of mesothelioma, which can be found in 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like all other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in a variety of commercial and household items for many years. The fibers are easily swallowed, inhaled or trapped in the tissues of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that get irritated and develop into tumors that then spread throughout the body.

Doctors have only identified a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a small number of cases. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to this cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it occurs in about 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it is usually diagnosed decades after a patient’s asbestos exposure.

In the majority of cases, a person exposed to asbestos litigation may develop pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the testes of males. If they are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it is difficult to diagnose because symptoms often resemble the symptoms of other heart diseases.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impair the ability of breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases your risk.

Signs and symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer which is responsible for less than 1 % of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or in the home of someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with many symptoms that are difficult to identify.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles stick to the lining of the pericardium and begin to develop tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from another part of the body such as the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and then to the lining inside the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium. This is the primary location for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However it is not as common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as pericardial mesothelioma, can take decades to show up after exposure to asbestos legal. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses, and include chest pain, trouble breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In certain cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing. This is an illness in which the fingers swell up and appear more rounded than normal.

Doctors identify pericardial mesothelioma on the basis of the patient’s medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos attorney, and then conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they’ll also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a rare condition that is not recognized by many doctors, can lead to serious symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma or other conditions. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and can properly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose. Symptoms often mimic more common heart diseases and may not show up until the disease has progressed in a significant way. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the connection difficult to detect. Anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The reason for mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known However, doctors believe it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. Over time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and thicken the pericardium. Fluid builds up around the heart as a result of the tumors and the pressure that results puts stress on the organ, which causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are usually performed first by doctors to detect any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then, they conduct blood tests to confirm mesothelioma’s presence and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding.

Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their employment history with a physician. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma 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 recover compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-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 help you through the entire procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

To properly identify pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos, Visit Web Page, exposure background. They can then utilize various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.

It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the heart’s lining and cause cancerous cells to form. It is essential that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms see a doctor immediately because of the long time of latency. It is also important to be candid about their previous exposure to asbestos so they are able to receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest mesothelioma types is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart conditions and signs.

A doctor will first assess the patient and listen to their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to detect tumors and find areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they’ll likely require an echocardiogram in order to observe how well the heart is functioning and to see if there is any thickening of the lining.

If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove tiny pieces of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma is a more limited range of treatments than other types of cancer, a large percentage of sufferers will not recover from the disease. New treatment methods are being researched to provide better outcomes 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 certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims at training a patient’s immunity to fight cancer.