Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, which is a tissue that surrounds the heart. This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other conditions.

The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their doctor.

What causes pericardial mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest mesothelioma types, making up about 1 to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like all other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in a wide range of household and commercial products for many years. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed, or caught in the tissues of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils are irritated, and they form tumors that eventually spread throughout the body.

Doctors have only found a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of cases. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium, but they do know that it occurs in about quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In the majority of cases, a person exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the testes of males. It can be difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is if the symptoms are similar to those of other heart conditions.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can affect your ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a swell of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by performing an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or the pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of the disease and help them find the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases the risk.

Symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 % of all malignant mesothelioma cases is most often discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos settlement in the workplace or in the home of those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have various symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos lawyer particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to develop tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body such as the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining of the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are called the mesothelium, which is the main site for mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease may also begin in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, but this is not as common.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma of the pericardial region may take years to manifest after exposure to asbestos law. The symptoms are usually similar to other conditions and may include chest pain, difficulties breathing and weight loss, fatigue and a persistent cough. In some instances, pericardial mesothelioma may cause a swollen finger the condition where the fingers swell and appear more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause, they will also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and many doctors are unable to recognize the signs. Patients should report any symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms often mirror more common heart disorders and may not be apparent until the disease has progressed significantly. Moreover, asbestos law exposure can happen decades before pericardial mesothelioma appears and makes the connection difficult to recognize. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. As time passes, the irritated tissue mutates 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 pressure that results puts stress on the organ, which causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are usually carried out by doctors first to identify any tumors or excessive fluids. Then, they run tests in the blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are growing.

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

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

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 numerous laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that 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 help you through the whole procedure. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.

Treatment

To be able to accurately determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then use a variety of tests, such as Xrays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms and determine if there's fluid accumulation in the pericardium.

It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. It is crucial that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms see a doctor immediately because of the long time of latency. They should also be open about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the mesothelioma forms that are rare and is the reason for only 1percent of mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart diseases and signs.

A doctor will first look over the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to detect tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they detect fluid in the pericardium they will require an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and determine if the lining has thickened.

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

Many victims of pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatment options are less than for other kinds. However, there are new treatments being developed that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, which aims at training the body's immune system to fight cancer.