Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma which occurs in the heart's lining (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma typically causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their physician.
What causes mesothelioma pericardial?
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, also known as the pericardium. It is among the rarest types of mesothelioma, making up about one-third to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Similar to other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, was used for decades in a wide range of commercial and household products. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the tissues of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.
Doctors have only found a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma in just a handful of cases. They are still unable to fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it occurs in around 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.
The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural msothelioma. The cancer develops in the lung's lining and chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma that is found male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms are often similar to those of other heart ailments.
The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis usually develop gradually and can affect your ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a build-up of fluid around the heart known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by running an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart, or a pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient is suffering from this rare form of disease and help them find the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. People who have a family history of mesothelioma are at a higher risk, too.
Symptoms
As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which makes up less than 1percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is found most often in people who have been exposed to asbestos at work or in close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose.
Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles adhere to the lining of the pericardium and begin to grow into tumors that 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 a different part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.
The chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. This is the primary location for the majority of mesothelioma tumors grow. The disease can also develop in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However it is not as common.
The symptoms of mesothelioma such as mesothelioma of the pericardial region can take a long time to surface after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses such as chest pain, difficulty in breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In certain cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, which is a condition where fingers get swollen and appear more rounded than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium by looking at the patient's medical background. They will ask the patient about their previous asbestos exposure and perform imaging tests such as radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis they'll also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition and a large number of doctors are unable to recognize the signs. It is essential that patients report all of their symptoms to their doctor so that they can be tested for mesothelioma and other ailments. Taking our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to properly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. Symptoms often mimic more common heart diseases and may not show up until the condition has advanced in a significant way. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can happen decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the connection difficult to detect. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should consult their doctor about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.
The reason for pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown, but doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that travel from the lungs into the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. Over time, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells which transform into tumors. Due to tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are typically done by doctors first to look for any signs of tumors or excess fluids. They then run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of cancerous cells spreading.
Patients with mesothelioma must be ready to discuss their work history with their doctor. Asbestos workers are at greater chance of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no fee unless we collect compensation on your behalf.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the numerous laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or contact us for assistance. inglewood asbestos law firm will guide you through the entire process from start to the point of completion. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.
Treatment
Doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure in order to diagnose pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then perform a series of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs and determine if there's fluid accumulation in the pericardium.
It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. Because of this lengthy time between latency, 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 previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment possible.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma is responsible for less than 1percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions and symptoms.
The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical examination by a physician who will listen to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling and check for tumors. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely order an echocardiogram to check how well the heart functions and to determine if there is any lining that is thickening.
Once the doctor has concluded there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy doctors take small pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to a laboratory for further testing.
Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a more limited range of treatments than other types, many victims will not survive the cancer. However, there are new treatment methods being explored that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or removing certain genes from the body of a patient to combat certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to strengthen a patient's immune system to fight the cancer.