Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.

These symptoms may take years to manifest following exposure to asbestos and can be difficult to diagnose. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is to discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their physician.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, referred to as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma that accounts for 1% to 2 % of all cases. Like all mesothelioma lawsuit other types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral has been used for a long time in a myriad of household and commercial products. The toxic fibers can be swallowed or inhaled and they can end up in the chest’s lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only found a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a few instances. While they don’t know the exact mechanism that causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to develop, they do know that around a quarter all mesothelioma patients are affected. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after a patient’s asbestos exposure.

In the majority of cases, a person exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma, which 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. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it may be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often resemble the symptoms of other heart diseases.

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

A mesothelioma specialist can 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 impaired immune system, and radiation exposure could increase the risk for mesothelioma of the pericardium. Patients who have mesothelioma in their family are at a higher risk as well.

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer that accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is most often found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or in the home of someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and may be a sign of other diseases which makes it difficult to diagnose.

Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles adhere to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer originated from an area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining of both the chest and abdomen. This is where most mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease can also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles however this is much less common.

After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show up. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses that cause chest pain, difficulty in breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In some instances, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, an illness in which the fingers swell up and look rounder than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium based on the patient’s medical background. They will inquire with the patient about previous asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests such as 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 are not aware of the symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and can correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize. The symptoms may be similar to other heart ailments and may not be apparent until the disease has advanced. Moreover, asbestos lawyers exposure can happen decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma and makes the connection difficult to identify. Nonetheless, anyone who has had a history of asbestos lawsuit should share their exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

Doctors don’t know the specific cause of the pericardial msothelioma. They believe it is caused by asbestos fibers which migrate from the lungs into the pericardium to irritate tissue. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and thicken the pericardium. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart as a result of the tumors and the pressure that results causes pressure on the organ and causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are generally done by doctors first to detect any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they conduct blood tests to confirm mesothelioma’s presence and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be ready to discuss their work history with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses which include lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma lawsuits (our website).

A lawyer who has experience in asbestos litigation can help you understand the legal options available to you in the event that you or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. There is no fee unless we collect compensation on your behalf.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos lawsuits-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the numerous laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim now by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will help you through the whole process. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

To be able to accurately diagnose pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then employ a variety of tests including X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.

Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. It is essential that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms consult a doctor as soon as possible because of the long delay. They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the best treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest mesothelioma types that accounts for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart diseases or symptoms.

A doctor will first assess the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also request an MRI or CT scan of the chest in order to detect any areas of swelling, and also check for a tumor. If they detect fluid in the pericardium, they will order an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart’s function and determine whether the lining has become thicker.

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

A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatment options are more limited than for other types. However, there are some new treatments being developed that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or removing certain genes from the body of a patient in order to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, that aims to boost the body’s immune system to fight cancer.