Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

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

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

What is the cause of pericardial mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is a rare form of mesothelioma that accounts for 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in a variety of commercial and household products for decades. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled and they can end up in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a few instances. They are still unable to fully understand how asbestos leads to this cancer in the pericardium, however they do know that it occurs in 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In most cases, a person exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma that is found in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal melanoma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the male testes. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart problems.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may impact your ability to breathe. These symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a swell of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a doctor using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient has the rare form of this disease and find the best treatment. In addition to asbestos attorney exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases your risk.

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer that accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma that is malignant, is primarily discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was impacted by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and may be a sign of other diseases and make it difficult to determine the cause.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles adhere to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know the causes of pericardial cancer, but they believe that asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spreads from another area of the body like the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining in the heart.

The abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. This is the main site for mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease may also begin in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles but this is not as frequent.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, including pericardial mesothelioma, can take decades to surface after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are typically similar to other illnesses and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing as well as fatigue, weight loss and an ongoing cough. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma could cause a swollen finger, a condition in which the fingers expand and appear rounder than usual.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium by looking at the patient's medical background. They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. They will also take a fluid or tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare condition that isn't acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can lead to serious symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma or other diseases. Bring our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and can correctly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize. The symptoms often mirror more common heart diseases and may not appear until the condition has advanced substantially. Moreover, asbestos claim exposure can occur decades before pericardial mesothelioma appears, making the link hard to detect. However, 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 cause of 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 tissues there. Over time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart as a result of the tumors and the pressure that results causes stress on the organ, which results in symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they conduct tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be ready to discuss their work history with their physician. asbestos - Read A lot more, workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can help you understand your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no cost unless we seek compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the various laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure you receive 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 beginning to finish. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.

Treatment

To be able to accurately identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then use a series of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms 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 develop. Due to this long time between latency, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to see a doctor immediately. They should also be open about their past exposure to asbestos so they are able to receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is the reason for only one percent of all mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart conditions or symptoms.

A physician will first examine the patient and observe their breathing and heartbeat. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to identify any areas of swelling and to check for a tumor. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will order an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's function and determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened.

Once the doctor has determined that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to the lab for further testing.

A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis are not able to survive due to the fact that the treatment options are less than for other kinds. However, there are some new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or removing certain genes from the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to train a patient's immune system to fight the cancer.