Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a tissue that surrounds the heart. This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as fatigue or chest pain that may be similar to other conditions.

These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to make sure they get a proper diagnosis.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. It is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about 1% to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Like all other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was used for decades in a myriad of household and commercial products. Its toxic fibers are easily swallowed or inhaled, and they can get caught in the chest's lining and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.

Doctors have only found a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a few cases. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, however they know that it occurs in a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure.

In most instances, an individual who is exposed to asbestos lawyer can develop pleural mesothelioma. It forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal melanoma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma in the testes of males. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it is difficult to diagnose because symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other heart diseases.

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to develop gradually and affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a doctor using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist will determine if a patient is suffering from this rare form of disease and assist them in finding the most effective treatment. Other factors, such as genetics, an weakened immune system, and exposure to radiation, can increase the risk of pericardial msothelioma. People who have mesothelioma in their family have an increased risk of developing it as well.

Signs and symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers affecting the heart's tissue. This rare form of cancer, which makes up less than 1% of mesothelioma cases that are malignant 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. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and may be a sign of other diseases which makes it difficult to diagnose.

When asbestos particles stick to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to expand and make the membrane thicker. Doctors do not know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from another part of the body, such as the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining in the heart.

The chest and abdomen are called the mesothelium, which is the main site for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also begin in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However, this is much less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as mesothelioma pericardial, can take decades to surface after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are often similar to other diseases and may include chest pain, trouble breathing, weight loss, fatigue and a persistent cough. In some cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, which is an illness where the fingers swell up and look rounder than normal.

Doctors identify pericardial mesothelioma on the basis of the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire with the patient about any asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to look at the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis, they will also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to accurately diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart ailments and may not show up until the disease is advanced. Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial msothelioma can be diagnosed, making it difficult to detect the link. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should talk to their doctor about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.

The cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown, but doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissue there. In time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are typically carried out by doctors first to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of cancerous cells growing.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their history of work with their doctor. asbestos workers are at greater risk of developing asbestos related illnesses, like lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of exposure to asbestos could be eligible for compensation in a mesothelioma suit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation - similar site - can help determine your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no fee unless we seek compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the various laws that affect asbestos sufferers and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We'll guide you through the entire process from start to finish. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.

Treatment

Doctors must conduct physical exams and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure in order to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then use a variety of tests including X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.

Asbestos fibers can take as long as 60 years to reach the lining inside the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. Because of this long latency period, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to talk to an expert doctor right away. It is also important to be candid about their past exposure to asbestos so they are able to receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty in identifying this condition as it can mimic other heart conditions or symptoms.

A doctor will first assess the patient and observe their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor might also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest to detect tumors and find areas of swelling. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely order an echocardiogram to determine how the heart is functioning and to determine whether there is any lining thickening.

After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. During a biopsy doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to a laboratory for further testing.

A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatment options are more limited than for other kinds. However, there are some new treatment options being studied that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient in order to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to strengthen the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.