Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a part of the lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms like fatigue or chest pain that may be similar to other conditions.

It can take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to get 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 the thin membrane lining the heart. It is a rare type of mesothelioma, which is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of all cases. Like all types of mesothelioma, pericardial is connected to asbestos lawyer exposure.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was extensively used in a variety of commercial and household products. Its toxic fibers are easily swallowed or inhaled, and they can end up in the chest's lining and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Only a few doctors have discovered a link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they do not know what causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to grow but they do know that around one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is partly because it usually occurs decades after exposure to asbestos claim.

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

The signs of pericardial asbestosis usually be gradual and may affect the ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a build-up of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition can be 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 form of disease and assist them in finding the best 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. People with mesothelioma-related family history are at a higher risk of developing it as well.

Symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than 1% of mesothelioma that is malignant is typically found in those who have been exposed to asbestos at work or in close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and may be a sign of other diseases, making diagnosis difficult.

As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium's lining, they can cause tumors to develop and make the membrane thicker. Doctors do not know how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from an area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining for both the chest and abdomen. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. 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 mesothelioma pericardial, can take decades to surface after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other diseases and may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, weight loss, fatigue and an ongoing cough. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma could cause a swollen finger this is a condition that causes the fingertips swell and appear larger than usual.

Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They may also take an x-ray or a tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition and a large number of doctors are unable to recognize the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other ailments. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart diseases and may not show up until the condition has advanced in a significant way. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the connection difficult to identify. However, anyone who has had a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.

The cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown However, doctors believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue there. As time passes, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

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

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be ready to discuss their work history with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses which include lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of exposure to asbestos may be qualified for compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos case and recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to understand your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we can obtain compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws affecting asbestos victims and will assist you in obtaining the benefits you deserve. Start your claim now by filling out our online form or calling us. We'll guide you through the entire process from beginning to the end. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

In order to properly identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos lawyer exposure history. They can then use different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.

Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. Because of this long latency period, it is crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to see an expert doctor right away. It is also essential to be upfront about their past exposure to asbestos in order to get the best treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma (PM), one of the rarest mesothelioma types that accounts for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty of identifying this condition as it may be similar to other heart conditions or signs.

The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also request an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling, and also check for a tumor. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will require an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's function and determine 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. During a biopsy doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to the laboratory for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatment options than other types of cancer, a large percentage of patients will not be able to recover from the cancer. However, there are new treatment methods being explored that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or removing certain genes from the body of a patient to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training a patient's immunity to fight cancer.