Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma is an uncommon form of mesothelioma which occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma attorney generally causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.
The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure which makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is for patients to share their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor.
What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that grows in the thin membrane lining the heart. This is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma that account for one-third to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma pericardial is also connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in a wide range of commercial and household items for decades. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed, or trapped in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.
Only a handful of doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They still do not know exactly how asbestos contributes to this type of cancer in the pericardium, however they do know that it occurs in about quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs decades after asbestos exposure.
In the majority of instances, an individual exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma, which is found in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they may also develop peritoneal melanoma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the testes of males. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma lawsuit it can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other heart diseases.
The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to come on slowly and can affect breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a fluid accumulation around the heart known as pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. Other factors, including genetics, an impaired immune system, and exposure to radiation could increase the risk for pericardial msothelioma. People with mesothelioma-related family history are at a higher risk of developing it as well.
Symptoms
Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 % of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or in the home of someone who was impacted by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and may be a sign of other diseases and make it difficult to determine the cause.
As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium's lining they can cause tumors to grow and increase the thickness of the membrane. Doctors do not know the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer originated from a different part of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then it spread to the lining of the heart.
The lining of the chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. This is the primary location for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease may also start in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However this is less common.
After exposure to asbestos, symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to manifest. These symptoms are often similar to other diseases and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing and weight loss, fatigue and a persistent cough. In some instances, pericardial mesothelioma could cause a swollen finger this is a condition that causes the fingers expand and appear larger than usual.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium based on a patient's medical background. They will inquire with the patient about any asbestos exposure and perform imaging tests such as x rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to examine the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis they'll also take samples of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and a lot of doctors do not recognize the signs. It is crucial for patients to report all of their symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other ailments. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and accurately determine if you are suffering from.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart diseases and may not be apparent until the disease is advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before pericardial mesothelioma appears, making the link hard to identify. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should consult their physician about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.
Doctors do not know the exact cause of the pericardial msothelioma. They believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lungs into the pericardium to irritate tissue. As time passes the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells which grow into tumors. As a result of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.
Typically, doctors perform imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to detect 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 growing.
Mesothelioma patients should be prepared to discuss their work history with a doctor. Asbestos workers have a high chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have an asbestos-related history may qualify for compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits.
A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can assist you in understanding the legal options available to you in the event that you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and has developed pericardial mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a free consultation. No fee is charged unless we can obtain compensation for you.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the various laws that affect asbestos sufferers and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will walk 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 should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure in order to identify pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then employ various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.
It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. Because of this long latency period, it is crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to consult an expert doctor right away. It is also important to be candid about their past exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest types of mesothelioma and accounts for only about one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions and signs.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination by an expert physician who listens to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to detect tumors and find areas of swelling. If they find fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they'll likely require an echocardiogram in order to observe how well the heart is working and to determine if there is any thickening of the lining.
If the doctor is able to determine that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it's malignant. During a biopsy, doctors remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to the lab for further analysis.
Since pericardial mesothelioma offers an enumeration of treatment options than other types, a majority of patients will not be able to recover from the cancer. New treatment methods are being researched to offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training the body's immune system to fight cancer.