Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms like chest pain and fatigue that may mimic other ailments.

The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best way to make a correct diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart, also known as the pericardium. It is among the rarest mesothelioma types, making up about one-third to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Similar to mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in many common household and commercial products for many years. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or trapped in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a small number of cases. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, however they know that it happens in quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after a patient's asbestos claim exposure.

In most instances, an individual exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they may also develop peritoneal melanoma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma, in the testes of males. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it may be difficult to identify because symptoms are often similar to those of other heart ailments.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can impact the ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a fluid accumulation around the heart known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition through an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or the pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and recommend the best 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. Those with mesothelioma in their family have an increased risk, too.

Symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos settlement fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer which is responsible for less than 1 percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases is most often discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or living with those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to recognize.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors do not know how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer originated from another area of the body, such as 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 both known as the mesothelium. It is the primary location for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also begin in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However this is less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as mesothelioma pericardial can take a long time to show up after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other illnesses and may include chest pain, difficulties breathing and weight loss, fatigue, and a constant cough. In some instances the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing. This is a condition where the fingers swell up and look more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos, and then 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'll also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition, and many doctors are not aware of the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and is able to accurately determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart diseases and may not be apparent until the disease has advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before the onset of pericardial cancer, making the connection difficult to detect. However, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos attorney exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The reason for mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue there. As time passes, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells which grow into tumors. As a result of tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are generally performed first by doctors to look for any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run blood tests to confirm mesothelioma's presence and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding.

Patients with mesothelioma should also be prepared to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to understand your legal options. 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 aware of the various laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our online claim form or call us to begin. We'll guide 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

In order to properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then use various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is crucial that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms see a doctor immediately because of the long delay. It is also important to be candid about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and accounts for only about one percent of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is due to the difficulty in identifying this condition because it may be similar to other heart conditions and symptoms.

The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to look for tumors and to identify 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.

Once the doctor has concluded 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 the course of the biopsy, doctors will take small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab to be tested further.

Since pericardial mesothelioma offers an enumeration of treatments than other types, many patients will not be able to recover from the disease. However, there are some new treatment methods being explored that may provide better outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which involves the addition or removal of genes from the body of a person in order to fight diseases. Immunotherapy is another option that aims to boost a patient's immunity to fight cancer.