Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

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

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

What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma that account for 1 to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like all mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in many common commercial and household items for a long time. The toxic fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and can be caught in the chest's lining and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.

Only a handful of doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they do not know how asbestos causes this cancer of the pericardium to develop however, they do know that approximately one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is partly due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure.

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

The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to develop gradually and can impair your ability to breathe. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a swell of fluid around the heart known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition through an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist will determine whether a patient has this rare form of disease and guide them to the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics, an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases your risk.

Signs and symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which makes up less than 1percent of all malignant cases of mesothelioma is typically found in people who have been exposed to asbestos at work or within close proximity to someone who has been affected by asbestos case. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and can mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult.

When asbestos particles adhere to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to develop and increase the thickness of the membrane. Doctors don't know how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos attorney particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer originated from a different part of the body, like the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.

The abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. This is the main site for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, however this is much less frequent.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as mesothelioma pericardial can take a long time to surface after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses, and include chest pain, trouble breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma can cause clubbing of the fingers the condition where the fingertips swell and appear more round than normal.

Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause, they will also take samples of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and a lot of doctors do not recognize the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and will be able to accurately determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart diseases and may not show up until the disease has advanced. Asbestos exposure can happen decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed and it is difficult to identify the connection. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should speak to their doctor about any symptoms that may be related to asbestos.

Doctors aren't sure of the exact cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lung to the pericardium and irritate tissue. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart due to the tumors, and the resulting pressure causes stress on the organ and leads to symptoms.

Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests in the blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are spreading.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be ready to discuss their work history with their doctor. asbestos legal workers face a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of exposure to asbestos could be qualified for compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation (www.stes.tyc.Edu.tw) can help you know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we can get compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws affecting asbestos victims and can assist you in receiving the benefits you are entitled to. Complete our online claim form or call us to begin. 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 have available to you.

Treatment

Doctors must conduct physical exams and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure in order to identify pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then conduct a series of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the symptoms and determine if there's an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.

It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. It is crucial that anyone suffering from mesothelioma see a doctor as soon as possible due to the lengthy time of latency. They must also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos in order to get the best treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and is the reason for only one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases or signs.

A doctor will first look over the patient and listen to their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to detect tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they detect fluid in the pericardium, they will request an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's function and determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened.

Once the doctor has concluded that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further analysis.

Since pericardial mesothelioma is a smaller range of treatment options than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the cancer. New treatment methods are being studied to provide better outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which involves adding or removing genes from a person's body to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, that aims to boost a patient's immunity to fight cancer.