Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma which occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma usually results in symptoms such as chest discomfort or fatigue, which can mimic other health conditions.

It could take years for symptoms to manifest after asbestos exposure. This makes it difficult to determine the cause. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is for patients to share their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that runs along the heart, known as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma lawsuit, making up about one-third to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was extensively used in a myriad of household and commercial products. Its fibers can be easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils irritate and form tumors.

Doctors have only found a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of instances. They do not yet know exactly how asbestos contributes to this type of cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it occurs in 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure.

In the majority of instances, an individual who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms often resemble those of other heart conditions.

The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to come on gradually and affect breathing. These symptoms can include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by performing an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart or a pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and find the best treatment. Other factors, such as genetics, a weak immune system, and radiation exposure can increase the risk of mesothelioma of the pericardium. A family history of the disease increases the risk.

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers enter 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 people who have been exposed to asbestos at work or in close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and may be a sign of other diseases, making diagnosis difficult.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors that thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is the reason for mesothelioma pericardial, although doctors know little about how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from another part of the body like the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and finally to the lining inside the heart.

The mesothelium is a lining that covers the abdomen and chest. This is where most mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease can also start 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. These symptoms are typically similar to other conditions and may include chest pain, difficulties breathing and fatigue, weight loss and an ongoing cough. In some instances the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, which is an illness in which fingers become swollen and look rounder than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium based on a patient's medical history. They will ask the patient about previous asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to look at the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis they'll also take samples of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the signs. It is essential that patients report all their symptoms to their doctor in order to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and can accurately diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms often mirror more common heart diseases and may not show up until the condition has advanced substantially. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the connection difficult to detect. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should speak to their doctor about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.

Doctors do not know the reason for pericardial msothelioma. However, they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lung to the pericardium and cause irritation to tissue. In time the affected tissue transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and thicken the pericardium. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors, and the resulting pressure causes pressure on the organ and causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are generally carried out by doctors first to look for any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they conduct tests in the blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of cancerous cells expanding.

Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their employment history with a physician. Asbestos workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses which include lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have an asbestos-related history may be eligible for compensation via a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a free consultation. There is no cost unless we collect compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws affecting asbestos victims and can help you receive the benefits you deserve. Get started on your claim now by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will guide you through the entire procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

Doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then conduct various tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms and determine if there is fluid buildup in the pericardium.

Asbestos fibers can take as long as 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, where they cause cancerous cells. Because of this long latency period, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma lawyers-related symptoms to consult an expert doctor right away. They should also be honest about any previous exposure to asbestos so they can receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest types of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma lawsuits cases that are diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart diseases or signs.

A doctor will first assess the patient and listen to their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor can also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest to look for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they detect fluid in the pericardium, they will request an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's functioning and to determine whether the lining has become thicker.

If the doctor is able to determine that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. In a biopsy procedure, doctors remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to a laboratory for further testing.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatments than other types, many patients will not be able to recover from the disease. New treatment options are being investigated that could improve the outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient in order to combat certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to train the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.