Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as chest pain and fatigue that may be similar to other conditions.

These symptoms can take years to develop after exposure to asbestos which makes a diagnosis difficult. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their doctor.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart. It is among the rarest types of mesothelioma which accounts for about one-third to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos legal (try these guys out) exposure.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, was used for decades in a wide range of commercial and household products. Its toxic fibers are easily inhaled or swallowed, and they can end up in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.

Doctors have only found an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a few instances. While they don’t know how asbestos causes this cancer of the pericardium but they do know that approximately 25% of mesothelioma sufferers are affected. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos.

In most cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma, which is found in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they may also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma in the male testes. It can be difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is when the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.

The signs of pericardial cancer tend to be gradual and may impair your ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a fluid accumulation around the heart known as pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a doctor 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 this disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics, an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Patients with mesothelioma-related family history are at a higher risk, too.

Symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which makes up less than one percent of all malignant cases of mesothelioma, is most commonly found in those who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or in close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by many symptoms that can be difficult to identify.

When asbestos law particles adhere to the pericardium’s lining they can cause tumors to grow and thicken the membrane. It is believed that this is the reason for mesothelioma of the pericardium, but doctors aren’t sure how it develops. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from another area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then it spread to the lining of the heart.

The chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. This is the main site for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However, this is much less common.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial may take years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other conditions and can include chest pain, difficulties breathing, fatigue, weight loss and a constant cough. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma could cause a swollen finger, a condition in which the fingertips swell and appear more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium based on a patient’s medical history. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. They may also take a fluid or tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare condition that isn’t acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can lead to serious symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma or other diseases. The taking of our Symptom Checklist with you prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to accurately determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not manifest until the disease is advanced. Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed and it is difficult to detect the link. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should discuss their exposure with their doctor and inquire about any asbestos-related symptoms.

The cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown, but doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos settlement fibers that migrate from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissues there. As time passes the affected tissue transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

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

Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their work history with a doctor. asbestos workers are at a greater chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of exposure to asbestos may be qualified for compensation in a mesothelioma suit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no fee unless we seek compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the various laws that affect asbestos sufferers and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We’ll guide you through the entire process from beginning to finish. 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 need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then employ various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.

Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, where they cause cancerous cells. It is vital that anyone suffering from mesothelioma see a doctor as soon as possible because of the long time of latency. It is also important to be candid about their past exposure to asbestos so they can receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is the reason for only one percent of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions or symptoms.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical exam conducted by an experienced physician who listens to the patient’s breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor may also order a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium, they will require an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart’s functioning and to determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened.

Once the doctor has concluded that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to the laboratory for further testing.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatment options than other types, a majority of patients will not be able to recover from the disease. However, there are new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. One such approach is gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from a person’s body to fight specific diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to strengthen the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.