Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma usually causes symptoms like chest discomfort or fatigue, which can be similar to other health conditions.
It can take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that lines the heart, also known as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma which is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of all cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma pericardial is also connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was extensively used in a myriad of household and commercial products. The toxic fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and can be caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.
Doctors have only identified a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma only in a few instances. They still do not know exactly how asbestos contributes to this cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it happens in quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.
In the majority of instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma lawsuits that develops in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma that is found male testes. It can be difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma if the symptoms are similar to other heart conditions.
The signs of pericardial asbestosis usually be gradual and may impact the ability of breathing. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a swell of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition through an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart or a pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient has the rare form of the disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. People who have mesothelioma attorney in their family have an increased risk, too.
Signs and symptoms
Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer that accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is most often discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with a variety of symptoms that are difficult to recognize.
When asbestos particles adhere to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to develop and thicken the membrane. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from a different part of the body such as the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining inside the heart.
The chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. This is the main site for the majority of mesothelioma tumors grow. The disease may also start in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However, this is much less common.
After exposure to asbestos, the mesothelioma symptoms can take years to manifest. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses, and include chest pain, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing. This is an illness in which the fingers swell up and appear more rounded than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium based on the patient's medical background. They will ask the patient about previous asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests like radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to look at the pericardium. They will also take samples of tissue or fluid to complete the diagnosis.
Pericardial mesothelioma attorneys is a rare condition that isn't recognized by many doctors, can cause serious symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist with you prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and can properly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. Symptoms often mimic more common heart diseases and may not appear until the condition has advanced in a significant way. In addition, exposure to asbestos can occur years before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma and makes the connection difficult to detect. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should talk to their doctor about any symptoms that could be related to asbestos.
The cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known however, doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that travel from the lungs into the pericardium and irritate the tissue there. Over time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart due to the tumors and the resulting pressure puts stress on the organ, which causes symptoms.
Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors. They then run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding.
Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their occupational medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with an asbestos-related history may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma lawsuits.
A lawyer who has experience in asbestos litigation will assist you in understanding the legal options available to you in the event that you or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we are able to obtain compensation for you.
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 many laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim now by filling out our online form or calling us. We will help you through the entire procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.
Treatment
Doctors must conduct physical exams and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure in order to diagnose pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then employ different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.
Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining inside the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. Because of this lengthy time between latency, it is important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to talk to a physician immediately. It is also essential to be upfront about their past exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma (PM), one of the rarest mesothelioma types, accounts for less than 1percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart diseases and symptoms.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor can also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to identify any areas of swelling, and also check for tumors. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely order an echocardiogram to check how well the heart is working and to determine whether there is any lining thickening.
If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove small amounts of tissue or fluid and send samples to a laboratory for further analysis.
Because pericardial mesothelioma lawsuit 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 some new treatment options being studied that may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to train a patient's immune system to fight the cancer.