Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is an uncommon form of mesothelioma, which is found in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms like chest pain and fatigue that can mimic other conditions.

These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos lawyer exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the thin membrane that lines the heart. This is a rare type of mesothelioma which accounts for 1% to 2 % of all cases. Like mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in a variety of household and commercial products for a long time. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.

Doctors have only identified a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of instances. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium. However, they do know that it occurs in quarter 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 may develop pleural mesothelioma that is found in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within 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 signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may impair the ability of breathing. The symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by running an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or a pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient has the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos legal exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Those who have a family history of mesothelioma have a higher risk as well.

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer that accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is most often seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their workplace or in the home of those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have various symptoms that are difficult to recognize.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles adhere to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors don't know how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos [bkmobile.Biz] particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining of 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.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as mesothelioma of the pericardial region, can take decades to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are typically similar to other conditions and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing as well as fatigue, weight loss and an ongoing cough. In some instances, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, a condition where the fingers swell up and look more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium based on the patient's medical background. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to check the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis they'll also take samples of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition, and many doctors are unable to recognize the signs. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma and other ailments. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of your symptoms and will be able to correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions and may not show up until the disease has advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to identify. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The reason for mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue there. In time, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells, which then develop into tumors. Due to tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are usually performed first by doctors to detect any abnormal fluids or tumors. They then run tests in the blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of cancerous cells spreading.

Patients with mesothelioma must be prepared to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a history of asbestos compensation exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help you know your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we are able to get compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the various laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or contact us for assistance. We will guide you through the whole procedure. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.

Treatment

In order to properly identify pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then conduct a series of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs 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. It is vital that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms consult a doctor promptly because of the long delay. It is also important to be candid about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the mesothelioma forms that are rare and is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart conditions and signs.

A doctor will first assess the patient and observe their breathing and heartbeat. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling and check for tumors. If they find fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they'll likely request an echocardiogram to determine how the heart functions and to determine whether there is any thickening of the lining.

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

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. New treatment methods are being studied to improve the outcomes for patients. One such approach is gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from the body of a person in order to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, which aims at training an individual's immunity to fight cancer.