Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma which occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms like fatigue or chest pain that may mimic other ailments.

These symptoms can take years to develop after exposure to asbestos, making a diagnosis challenging. The best method to obtain a correct diagnosis is to share their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that grows in the thin membrane that lines the heart. It is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about 1 to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also associated with asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, was used for decades in a myriad of commercial and household items. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of instances. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it happens in 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly because it usually occurs decades after exposure to asbestos.

In most cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. It is also possible to develop 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 signs of pericardial asbestosis usually develop gradually and can affect your ability to breathe. 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 is suffering from this rare form of the disease and guide them to the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases the risk.

Signs and symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers that penetrate the heart's tissues. This rare form of the cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma that is malignant, is primarily seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and may be a sign of other diseases and make it difficult to determine the cause.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles stick to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know the process by which pericardial cancer develops however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from an area of the body, such as the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.

The chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium. It is the main site for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also develop in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However, this is much less common.

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

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on a patient's medical history. They will ask the patient about their previous asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests like x rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to examine the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis they will also collect samples of fluid or tissue.

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

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose. The symptoms often mirror other heart conditions that are more common and may not appear until the disease has progressed significantly. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur years before pericardial mesothelioma appears, making the link hard to detect. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should talk to their doctor about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.

The reason for pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown However, doctors believe it occurs when asbestos fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue there. In time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and thicken the pericardium. The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart as a result of the tumors and the pressure that results puts stress on the organ, which causes symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to identify any extra fluids or tumors. Then, they conduct tests in the blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of cancerous cells expanding.

mesothelioma attorneys patients should also be prepared to discuss their work medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a history of asbestos lawyers exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation will help you understand the legal options that are available to you if or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. No fees are 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 well-versed in the various laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our claim online form or contact us for assistance. We will guide you through the entire process from beginning to finish. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.

Treatment

To properly diagnose pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then conduct various tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the symptoms and determine if there's fluid buildup in the pericardium.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos lawyer fibers to reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is vital that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms seek out a physician as soon as possible due to the lengthy latency period. They must also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos in order to get the best treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma that accounts for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart conditions or symptoms.

A physician will first examine the patient and listen to their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor can also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling and to check for a tumor. If they find fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will likely require an echocardiogram in order to determine how the heart is functioning and determine if there is any lining thickening.

If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy, doctors remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to the lab for further analysis.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has an enumeration of treatments than other types, a majority of victims will not survive the disease. New treatment options are being studied to improve the outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which is the process of the addition or removal of genes from the body of a person to fight specific diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to strengthen the immune system of the patient to fight cancer.