Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a tissue that surrounds the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally results in symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other health conditions.

These symptoms can take years to develop following asbestos exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What is the cause of mesothelioma pericardial?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the thin membrane that lines the heart. This is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma, making up about 1% to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in a wide range of commercial and household products for many years. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a small number of cases. They are still unable to fully understand how asbestos leads to this cancer in the pericardium. However, they do know that it occurs in about 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In the majority of instances, a person exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma. It forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they may also develop peritoneal mesothelioma located in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma in the male testes. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma if the symptoms are similar to other heart diseases.

The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impair the ability of breathing. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a swell of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient has the rare form of the disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics, 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 develops when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer which is responsible for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or in the home of someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have many symptoms that can be difficult to recognize.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors do not know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spreads from another area of the body, such as the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining of the heart.

The lining of the abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. It is the primary location for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles but this is not as common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as mesothelioma of the pericardial region can take a long time to show up after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, trouble breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma could cause clubbing of the fingers, a condition in which the fingers expand and appear larger than usual.

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

Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare condition that is not acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can lead to serious symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma or other diseases. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and will be able to correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart diseases and may not be apparent until the condition has advanced in a significant way. Moreover, asbestos lawsuit exposure can happen decades before the onset of pericardial cancer, making the link hard to identify. Anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The exact cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissues there. In time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

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

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos law and has recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can help you know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we are able to get compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos (Full File)-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the many 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 contact us for assistance. We'll guide you through the entire process from start to the end. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.

Treatment

To be able to accurately diagnose pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then conduct a variety of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the signs and determine if there's fluid buildup in the pericardium.

It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to form. It is vital that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms consult a doctor promptly due to the lengthy delay. They should also be open about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma and accounts for only about 1percent of mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can mimic other heart conditions or symptoms.

A doctor will first assess the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium, they will order an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and determine 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 in order to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will take small samples of fluid or tissue and send samples to a laboratory for further analysis.

A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis are not able to survive due to the fact that the treatment options are more limited than for other types. New treatment options are being studied to 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 to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to strengthen the immune system of the patient to fight the cancer.