Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as chest pain and fatigue that may mimic other ailments.

The symptoms can take a long time to develop after exposure to asbestos, making a diagnosis challenging. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their doctor.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is a rare type of mesothelioma, which is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of all cases. Similar to mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally found mineral that was used in a variety of commercial and household items for many years. Its toxic fibers are easily swallowed or inhaled and they can get caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.

Only a handful of doctors have discovered a link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they do not know how asbestos causes this cancer of the pericardium to develop but they do know that about a quarter all mesothelioma patients are affected. This is in part because it usually occurs years after exposure to asbestos.

In the majority of instances, a person exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma that forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it can be difficult to identify because symptoms often resemble those of other heart ailments.

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear gradually and affect breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a fluid accumulation around the heart known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition through an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or the pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine whether a patient has this rare form of disease and guide them to the best treatment. Other factors, like genetics, an weakened immune system, and radiation exposure could increase the risk for pericardial msothelioma. Patients with a family history of mesothelioma are at a higher risk as well.

Symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma also occurs by asbestos fibers that penetrate the tissue surrounding the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is most often found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or by living with someone who was impacted by asbestos case. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to identify.

When asbestos particles adhere to the pericardium’s lining, they can cause tumors to expand and increase the thickness of the membrane. It is believed that this is what causes mesothelioma pericardial, although doctors aren’t aware of how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spreads from another area of the body like the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining inside the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium. It is the primary site for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles however this is much less frequent.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as pericardial mesothelioma, can take decades to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other illnesses and may include chest pain, difficulty breathing as well as weight loss, fatigue and an ongoing cough. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma could cause a swollen finger the condition where the fingers swell and appear larger than usual.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium based on the patient’s medical background. They will ask the patient about any asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests like radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to examine the pericardium. They may also take a fluid or tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors are unable to recognize the symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma or other ailments. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and will be able to correctly determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. Symptoms often mimic more common heart disorders and may not appear until the condition has advanced in a significant way. In addition, exposure to asbestos can occur decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the connection difficult to recognize. Anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos legal-related symptoms.

Doctors don’t know the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lungs into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. In time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Fluid builds up around the heart as a result of the tumors and the resulting pressure puts pressure on the organ and causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are usually carried out by doctors first to detect any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then, they conduct tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.

Patients with mesothelioma must be prepared to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of exposure to asbestos may be eligible for compensation in a mesothelioma suit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation (Werite site) can help you understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. There is no charge unless we can get compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos settlement-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the numerous laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will walk you through the entire process from start to finish. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

To properly identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then use a variety 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.

Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, causing cancerous cells. It is essential that anyone suffering from mesothelioma consult a doctor as soon as possible because of the long time of latency. They should also be open about their past exposure to asbestos so that they are able to receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest types of mesothelioma and accounts for only about one percent of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is partly due to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart diseases or signs.

A physician will first examine the patient and observe their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor can also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest in order to detect any areas of swelling, and also check for tumors. If they detect fluid in the pericardium, they will order an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart’s function and see whether the lining of the heart has thickened.

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

Because pericardial mesothelioma has an enumeration of treatments than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the cancer. New treatment options are being studied to provide 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 specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, which aims to build an individual’s immunity to fight cancer.