Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma which occurs in the heart's lining (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma typically causes symptoms like chest discomfort or fatigue, which can mimic other health conditions.

These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos exposure which makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their physician to make sure they get a proper diagnosis.

What is the cause of pericardial mesothelioma?

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

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, was used for decades in a wide range of commercial and household items. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and can be caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that are irritated, and they form tumors that eventually spread throughout the body.

Doctors have only discovered an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a few instances. Although they do not know 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 asbestos exposure.

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

The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to progress slowly and may affect your ability to breathe. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a swell of fluid around the heart known 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 help determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of the disease and determine the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. People who have mesothelioma-related family history have an increased risk of developing it as well.

Signs and symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than 1% of all malignant cases of mesothelioma is found most often in those who have been exposed to oakland asbestos attorney at work or within close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.

As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to expand and increase the thickness of the membrane. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are both called the mesothelium, which is the primary location for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease can also develop in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However this is less common.

After exposure to asbestos, the mesothelioma symptoms may take years to show up. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses, and include chest pain, difficulty breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In certain cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, which is an illness in which fingers become swollen and appear more rounded than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium by looking at the patient's medical history. They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests, like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to check the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis, they will also take samples of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and a lot 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 tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. The taking of our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and can accurately diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart diseases and may not appear until the disease has progressed significantly. Moreover, asbestos exposure can happen decades before pericardial mesothelioma appears and makes the connection difficult to detect. Nonetheless, anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should discuss their exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The reason for mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known However, doctors believe it occurs when Bexley asbestos attorney fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium and irritate the tissue there. In time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells which transform into tumors. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart as a result of the tumors and the pressure that results puts pressure on the organ and leads to symptoms.

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

Patients with mesothelioma must be ready to discuss their work history with their physician. asbestos workers face a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had an asbestos-related history could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can help determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. No fee is charged unless we can obtain compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the laws that apply to asbestos victims and will help you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Complete our online claim form or contact us for assistance. We will guide you through the entire process from beginning to the point of completion. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

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 perform a variety of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the signs and determine if there's an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.

Asbestos fibers can take as long as 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. It is essential that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms see a doctor promptly due to the long latency period. They must also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos in order to get the best treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest types of mesothelioma that accounts for less than one percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases or signs.

A doctor will first assess the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to look for tumors and areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium they will order an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's function and see if the lining has thickened.

If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or a fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab to be tested further.

Many victims of pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatment options are more limited than for other types. However, there are new treatment options being studied which could provide better results 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 specific diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to strengthen the immune system of the patient to fight the cancer.