Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as fatigue or chest pain that may mimic other ailments.
The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor.
What is the cause of mesothelioma of the pericardium?
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. It is among the rarest types of mesothelioma which accounts for about 1% to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Like all mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in a variety of commercial and household items for a long time. The fibers are easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils get irritated and develop into tumors that then spread throughout the body.
Only a few doctors have discovered a link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they aren't sure what causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to develop however, they do know that approximately one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs years after exposure to asbestos.
In the majority of instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos attorney will develop pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. It can be difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma in the event that the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.
The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to come on slowly and can affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a fluid accumulation around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of the disease and help them find the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases your risk.
Symptoms
Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos lawyer fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 % of all malignant mesothelioma cases is most often seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their workplace or by living with those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and mimic other conditions and make it difficult to determine the cause.
Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to develop tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from a different part of the body such as the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and finally to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is the lining of both the abdomen and chest. This is where the majority of mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease can also develop in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However this is less common.
After exposure to asbestos, the mesothelioma symptoms may take years to manifest. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases that cause chest pain, trouble breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In certain cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, an illness in which fingers become swollen and appear more rounded than normal.
Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will ask the patient about their previous asbestos exposure and perform imaging tests such as radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis they'll also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. It is crucial for patients to disclose all their symptoms to their doctor in order to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Bring our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to correctly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms often mirror more common heart diseases and may not appear until the condition has advanced significantly. Asbestos exposure can occur years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed, making it difficult to identify the connection. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should talk to their doctor about any symptoms that could be related to asbestos.
Doctors aren't sure of the exact cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers which migrate from the lung into the pericardium to cause irritation to tissue. Over time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Because of tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are typically done by doctors first to detect any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then, they conduct tests on blood to confirm mesothelioma's presence and determine the extent of cancerous cells spreading.
Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their occupational history with a doctor. asbestos workers are at a greater chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, like lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have an asbestos-related past may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help you know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. There is no charge unless we can recover compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the many laws that affect asbestos sufferers and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or call us to get started. We will help you through the entire process. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.
Treatment
Doctors should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure in order to identify pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then utilize various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.
Asbestos fibers can take as long as 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, causing cancerous cells. It is essential that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms see a doctor promptly due to the lengthy latency period. They must also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest types of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart diseases or signs.
The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical exam conducted by an expert physician who listens to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request an 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 order an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and see whether the lining of the heart has thickened.
Once the doctor has concluded there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will take tiny pieces of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further analysis.
external pageA lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatment options are more limited than for other types. New treatment options are being researched to offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, that aims to boost an individual's immunity to fight cancer.
dokuwiki\Exception\FatalException: Allowed memory size of 134217728 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 4096 bytes)
An unforeseen error has occured. This is most likely a bug somewhere. It might be a problem in the authplain plugin.
More info has been written to the DokuWiki error log.