Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that can be similar to other health conditions.
These symptoms may take years to develop after exposure to asbestos and can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to make a correct diagnosis is to share their experiences of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is a rare type of mesothelioma, which accounts for 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like all other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, was used for decades in a myriad of household and commercial products. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.
Doctors have only found a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a few instances. They are still unable to fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, however they do know that it occurs in around quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs decades after asbestos exposure.
The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. The cancer develops in the lung's lining as well as the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma that is found male testes. It is sometimes difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is if the symptoms are similar to those of other heart problems.
Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to come on gradually and affect breathing. These symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a fluid accumulation around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist will determine whether a patient has this rare form of disease and assist them in finding the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. People who have mesothelioma-related family history are at a higher risk, too.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers reaching the tissue surrounding the heart. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than 1percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is typically found in people exposed to asbestos at work or within close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and mimic other conditions and make it difficult to determine the cause.
Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles stick to the lining of the pericardium and begin to develop tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors don't know how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors believe that the cancer spread from another part of the body such as the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and finally to the lining inside the heart.
The lining of the chest and abdomen are called the mesothelium, which is the primary location for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also develop in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However, this is much less common.
After exposure to asbestos, symptoms of mesothelioma attorneys can take years to manifest. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses such as chest pain, difficulty breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In certain cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, a condition where the fingers swell up and look more round than normal.
Doctors identify pericardial mesothelioma on the basis of the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about any previous 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 samples of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor in order to be examined for mesothelioma or other ailments. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and can accurately determine if you are suffering from.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart ailments and may not manifest until the disease has advanced. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur decades before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to detect. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should consult their physician about any signs that may be related to asbestos.
Doctors don't know the exact cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers which migrate from the lung into the pericardium to irritate tissue. In time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. As a result of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are generally done by doctors first to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their occupational history with a doctor. asbestos workers face a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have an asbestos-related past may qualify for compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. There is no charge unless we collect compensation on your behalf.
The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws that apply to asbestos victims and will help you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Complete our online claim form or contact us for assistance. We will walk you through the entire process from beginning to the point of completion. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.
Treatment
In order to properly identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then utilize different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.
It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is crucial that anyone suffering from mesothelioma consult a doctor immediately because of the long delay. It is also essential to be upfront about their previous exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the best treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the mesothelioma attorneys forms that are rare and is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is due in part to the difficulty in identifying this condition as it can be a symptom of other heart conditions or symptoms.
The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination by an expert physician who listens to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest in order to detect any areas of swelling and check for a tumor. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will request an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's function and determine if the lining has thickened.
If the doctor is able to determine that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to a laboratory for further testing.
Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatments than other types, many victims will not survive the disease. However, there are some new treatment options being studied that could offer better outcomes for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from a person's body in order to fight diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims at training the body's immune system to fight cancer.