Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma which occurs in the heart's lining (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma generally results in symptoms such as chest discomfort or fatigue, which can mimic other health conditions.

The symptoms can take a long time to manifest following exposure to asbestos which makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to ensure a correct diagnosis.

What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?

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

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in a variety of commercial and household products for many years. Its fibers can be easily swallowed, inhaled or trapped in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only discovered an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a small number of instances. Although they do not know how asbestos lawyer causes this cancer of the pericardium to develop but they do know that around one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos settlement exposure.

The majority of people exposed to asbestos settlement develop pleural mesothelioma. This cancer is found in the lung's lining as well as the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma in the testes of males. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it is difficult to diagnose because symptoms are often similar to those of other heart ailments.

Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear gradually and affect breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition through an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist will determine whether a patient has this rare type of disease and guide them to the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases the risk.

Symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1% of all malignant cases of mesothelioma, is most commonly found in people exposed to asbestos in their work environment or within close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and may be a sign of other diseases which makes it difficult to diagnose.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from another part of the body, such as the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and finally to the lining of the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining of the abdomen and chest. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However this is less common.

After asbestos exposure, symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to manifest. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing. This is a condition where fingers become swollen and look rounder than normal.

Doctors identify pericardial mesothelioma on the basis of the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis, they will also take a sample of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a rare condition that isn't acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can lead to serious symptoms. It is essential that patients report all of their symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and will be able to accurately determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. The symptoms may be similar to other heart diseases and may not be apparent until the disease has advanced. Asbestos exposure can occur decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed which makes it difficult to identify the connection. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should speak to their physician about any symptoms that could be related to asbestos.

The exact cause of mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissues there. In time the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells which grow into tumors. Because of tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are typically performed first by doctors to detect any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests in the blood to confirm mesothelioma's presence and determine the extent of cancerous cells spreading.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be ready to discuss their history of work with their doctor. asbestos workers are at a greater chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have an asbestos-related past may qualify for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.

A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation can assist you in understanding the legal options available to you if you or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and has developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no cost unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws affecting asbestos victims, and can help you receive the benefits you deserve. Fill out our online claim form or call us to begin. We'll guide you through the entire process from beginning to the end. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

To be able to accurately diagnose pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then employ different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.

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

Pericardial Mesothelioma (PM), one of the rarest mesothelioma types, accounts for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart conditions or symptoms.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination by a physician who will listen to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to check for tumors and areas of swelling. If they find fluid in the pericardium, they will request an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's function and see whether the lining of the heart has thickened.

Once the doctor has concluded that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it's malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will take small amounts of fluid or tissue and send samples to a laboratory for further analysis.

A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover 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. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient in order to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, that aims to boost an individual's immunity to fight cancer.