Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, a part of the lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other conditions.

The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos claim exposure with their physician.

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 form of mesothelioma that is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of all cases. Similar to other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally found mineral that was used in many common household and commercial products for decades. The toxic fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and they can end up in the chest's lining and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils become irritated and form tumors that spread to other parts of the body.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of instances. They still do not fully understand how asbestos case leads to this cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in about 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In most cases, a person exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. There is also the possibility of developing testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. It can be difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma if the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.

The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impact the ability of breathing. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties 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 the pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of the disease and determine the most effective 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. Those who have mesothelioma in their family have an increased risk, too.

Signs and symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases is most often found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or in the home of someone who was impacted by asbestos claim. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer originated from an area of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining for the abdomen and chest. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease may also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, though this is far less frequent.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as pericardial mesothelioma may take years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are typically similar to other diseases and may include chest pain, difficulty breathing as well as weight loss, fatigue, and a constant cough. In certain cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, which is a condition where fingers become swollen and look more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium based on the patient's medical history. 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. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they'll also take samples of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors do not recognize the symptoms. It is crucial that patients report all symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other ailments. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and is able to correctly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify. The symptoms often mirror more common heart disorders and may not show up until the disease has progressed substantially. Moreover, asbestos case exposure can occur years before pericardial mesothelioma appears and makes the connection difficult to recognize. However, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissues there. As time passes 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 causes pressure on the organ and leads to symptoms.

Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to spot any tumors or excess fluids. They then run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding.

Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their work history with a physician. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma lawsuits.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we collect 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 aware of the numerous laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our claim online form or call us to get started. We will help you through the whole process. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.

Treatment

To be able to accurately determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present doctors must conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then perform a variety of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the symptoms and determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. It is essential that anyone suffering from mesothelioma seek out a physician immediately due to the lengthy time of latency. It is also important to be candid about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they are able to receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and is the reason for only 1% of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is partly due to the difficulty in 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 by a physician who will listen to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest to look for tumors and areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium, they will request an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's function and determine if the lining has thickened.

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

Many patients suffering from pericardial Sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatments are more limited than for other types. New treatment options are being researched to improve the outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which involves the addition or removal of genes from a person's body to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims to build an individual's immunity to fight cancer.