Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.
It could take years for symptoms to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is for patients to share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart, known as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest mesothelioma types, making up about one-third to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. As with all types of mesothelioma, pericardial is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral has been used for a long time in a myriad of household and commercial products. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed, or trapped in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils irritate and form tumors.
Only a handful of doctors have discovered a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They still do not fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to this cancer in the pericardium. However, they do know that it occurs in about a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs decades after asbestos exposure.
Most people who are exposed to asbestos develop pleural msothelioma. The cancer develops in the lung's lining and chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, located in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the male testes. It can be difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is if the symptoms are similar to those of other heart conditions.
The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to come on gradually and impact breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart called pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition through an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or a pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of the disease and determine the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Those who have mesothelioma in their family are at a higher risk, too.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers that penetrate the heart's tissues. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 % of all malignant mesothelioma cases is most often seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.
When asbestos particles adhere to the pericardium's lining, they can cause tumors to grow and increase the thickness of the membrane. Doctors don't know how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spreads from another area of the body such as the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is a lining that covers both the chest and abdomen. This is where most mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease may also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles but this is not as common.
After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma symptoms can take years to manifest. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses, and include chest pain, trouble breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing. This is a condition where the fingers swell up and look rounder than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on the patient's medical history. They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos and perform 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 a sample of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma attorney, a rare condition that is not acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can lead to serious symptoms. It is important that patients report all of their symptoms to their doctor in order to be examined for mesothelioma lawsuits as well as other ailments. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and will be able to correctly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms may be similar to other heart diseases and may not manifest until the disease has advanced. Asbestos exposure can happen years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed, making it difficult to identify the connection. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should talk to their physician about any signs that may be related to asbestos.
The reason for pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown however, 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 tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to spot any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spreading of cancerous cells.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their work history with their doctor. asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had an asbestos-related history could be eligible for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit (read this article).
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can help understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we can get compensation for you.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the numerous laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or contact us for assistance. We will help you through the entire process. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.
Treatment
Doctors must conduct physical exams and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure to diagnose pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then use various tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the symptoms and determine if there's an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.
It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. Due to this long time period of latency, it's essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to consult a physician immediately. They must also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos in order to receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest types of mesothelioma, accounts for less than 1percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart diseases and symptoms.
A physician will first examine the patient and observe their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor can also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest in order to detect any areas of swelling and to check for any tumors. If they find fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they'll likely require an echocardiogram in order to check how well the heart is working and to see if there is any lining thickening.
After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. During a biopsy, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to the lab for further testing.
Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatments than other types of cancer, a large percentage of sufferers will not recover from the disease. However, there are new treatment methods being explored that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or removing certain genes from the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to strengthen the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.