Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is an uncommon form of mesothelioma which occurs in the heart's lining (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma generally causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that can be similar to other health conditions.

It can take a long time for these symptoms to appear after asbestos attorney exposure. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to make a correct diagnosis is for patients to share their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma which accounts for 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma, pericardial is connected to asbestos exposure.

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

Only a few doctors have found a connection between asbestos case exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium, however they do know that it occurs in about quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs decades after asbestos lawsuit exposure.

The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural msothelioma. This cancer is found in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma in the male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it may be difficult to determine because the symptoms often resemble those of other heart ailments.

The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to develop gradually and can impair the ability of breathing. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a swell of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist will determine if a patient suffers from this rare type of disease and assist them in finding the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases the risk.

Symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, 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 mesothelioma cases that are malignant is found most often in those who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or within close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by many symptoms that can be difficult to identify.

When asbestos particles adhere to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to expand and thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is what causes pericardial mesothelioma, though doctors know little about how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body like the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and then to the lining in the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining for both the abdomen and chest. This is where most mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease may also begin in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles however this is much less frequent.

After asbestos exposure, symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to show up. The symptoms are usually similar to other illnesses and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing as well as fatigue, weight loss and an ongoing cough. In some cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing. This is an illness where fingers get swollen and look rounder than normal.

Doctors identify pericardial mesothelioma on the basis of the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they will also collect a sample of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition, and a lot of doctors do not recognize the symptoms. It is crucial for patients to disclose all of their symptoms to their doctor so that they can be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of your symptoms and correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not be apparent until the disease is 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 talk to their doctor about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.

The exact cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown however, doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that travel from the lungs into the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. Over time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results causes stress on the organ and results in symptoms.

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

Patients with mesothelioma must be ready to discuss their history of work with their physician. asbestos workers are at a greater chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, like lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a past of asbestos exposure could be qualified for compensation in a mesothelioma suit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation (autisticburnout.Org) can assist you to understand your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no cost unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws affecting asbestos lawyer victims and can assist you in obtaining the benefits you are entitled to. Start your claim today by filling out our online form or calling us. We will help you through the whole process. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.

Treatment

To properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present doctors must conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then use various tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms and determine if there is fluid buildup in the pericardium.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to develop. Because of this long latency period, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to consult a doctor immediately. They must also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos to ensure they get the best treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest mesothelioma types is responsible for less than 1percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart diseases or signs.

The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical examination by a physician who will listen to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor can also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to look for tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they detect fluid in the pericardium, they will request an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's functioning and to determine if the lining has thickened.

If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further analysis.

Many victims of pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatments are more limited than for other types. However, there are new treatment options being studied that could offer better outcomes for patients. One such approach is gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from a person's body to fight specific diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to train the immune system of a patient to fight cancer.