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 results in symptoms such as chest discomfort or fatigue, which can mimic other health conditions.
It could take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best method to obtain a correct diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of exposure to asbestos with their physician.
What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that lines the heart, also known as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest mesothelioma types which accounts for about 1 to 2% of mesothelioma cases. As with all types of mesothelioma, pericardial is connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in many common commercial and household items for decades. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and they can end up in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.
Only a handful of doctors have discovered a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they do not know what causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium but they do know that approximately a quarter all mesothelioma patients are affected. This is partly because it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos.
In the majority of cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma attorney that develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal melanoma, located in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma in the testes of males. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it is difficult to identify because symptoms are often similar to those of other heart conditions.
The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma lawyer tend to appear gradually and impact the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can determine whether a patient has this rare type of disease and assist them in finding the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. Patients who have mesothelioma in their family are at a higher risk of developing it as well.
Symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers affecting the heart's tissues. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma that is malignant, is most commonly found in those who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or in close proximity to someone who has been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with various symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose.
When asbestos particles adhere to the pericardium's lining they can cause tumors to grow and make the membrane thicker. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, but they believe that asbestos particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer originated from an area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.
The chest and abdomen are both called the mesothelium, which is the primary site for most mesothelioma attorneys tumors to grow. The disease can also begin in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However, this is much less common.
After exposure to asbestos, the symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to manifest. The symptoms are usually similar to other illnesses and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing as well as weight loss, fatigue and a persistent cough. In some instances, pericardial mesothelioma can cause a swollen finger, a condition in which the fingers expand and appear more round than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium by looking at the patient's medical history. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they will also collect samples of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition and a large number of doctors do not recognize the signs. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma or other conditions. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and is able to correctly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to identify. The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not manifest until the disease is advanced. In addition, exposure to asbestos can occur years before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the connection difficult to identify. However, anyone who has had a history of asbestos should discuss their exposure history with doctors and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.
The reason for mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue there. Over time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and thicken the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to detect abnormal fluids or tumors. Then they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spreading of cancerous cells.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be ready to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers are at a greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits.
A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help you understand the legal options that are available to you if or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and has developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. There is no fee 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 lawyers are well-versed in the laws affecting asbestos victims, and can assist you in receiving the benefits you are entitled to. Get started on your claim now by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will guide you through the entire process. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.
Treatment
Doctors must conduct physical exams and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then utilize a variety of tests including X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.
It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to develop. Because of this lengthy time between latency, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma lawsuits-related symptoms to consult a doctor immediately. It is also important to be candid about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest mesothelioma types that accounts for less than 1percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of identifying this condition because it can mimic other heart conditions and symptoms.
A physician will first examine the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to look for tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely require an echocardiogram in order to observe how well the heart functions and determine if there is any lining that is thickening.
If the doctor is able to determine that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. In a biopsy procedure doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to the lab for further analysis.
Many patients suffering from pericardial Sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatments are more limited than for other kinds. New treatment options are being investigated that could offer better outcomes for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which is the process of adding or removing genes from a person's body in order to fight diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to train a patient's immune system to fight cancer.