Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma, which is found in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms such as fatigue or chest pain that may be similar to other conditions.
It can take a long time for symptoms to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult to determine the cause. The best way to make a correct diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of exposure to asbestos with their physician.
What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the thin membrane lining the heart. It is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about one-third to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma pericardial is also connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in a variety of household and commercial products for decades. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed, or caught in the tissues of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils are irritated, and they form tumors that then spread throughout the body.
Doctors have only found an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a few cases. They are still unable to fully understand how asbestos leads to this cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it happens in around 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs years after exposure to asbestos.
Most people who are exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. The cancer develops in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma located in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it may be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often resemble those of other heart conditions.
Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear gradually and impact the ability to breathe. The symptoms may include chest pain, trouble breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart called pericardial effusion. The condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and determine the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases the risk.
Symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers that penetrate the heart's tissues. This rare form of cancer, which makes up less than 1% of mesothelioma cases that are 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 many symptoms that can be difficult to identify.
Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, but they believe that asbestos particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from a different part of the body like the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining inside the heart.
The mesothelium is the lining of both the chest and abdomen. This is where most mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease can also develop in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However, this is much less common.
Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial can take a long time to show up after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other diseases and may include chest pain, difficulties breathing, fatigue, weight loss and an ongoing cough. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma could cause clubbing of the fingers, a condition in which the fingers swell and appear larger than usual.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium by looking at the patient's medical background. They will inquire with the patient about their previous asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests such as radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to evaluate the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis, they will also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma or other ailments. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of your symptoms and can correctly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms often mirror more common heart diseases and may not show up until the condition has advanced substantially. Asbestos exposure can happen years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed, making it difficult to detect the link. However, anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with their doctors and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.
The reason for mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. In time the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells that transform into tumors. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors, and the resulting pressure causes stress on the organ, which causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are typically performed first by doctors to detect any tumors or excessive fluids. Then, they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spreading of cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their work medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have an asbestos-related history could be eligible for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help you understand the legal options available to you if you or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and has developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. There is no fee unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws that apply to asbestos victims and can assist you in receiving the benefits you are entitled to. Complete our online claim form or call us to get started. We will help you through the entire procedure. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.
Treatment
Doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure to identify pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then employ different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.
kalamazoo asbestos law firm can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to grow. It is essential that anyone suffering from mesothelioma see a doctor immediately due to the lengthy time of latency. They should also be open about their previous exposure to asbestos so they are able to receive the most effective treatment possible.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is partly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart conditions or signs.
The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical exam conducted by an experienced physician who listens to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor may also order a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to detect tumors and find areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium they will order an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's functioning and to determine if the lining has thickened.
After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing.
Since pericardial mesothelioma is a more limited range of treatment options than other types, a majority of sufferers will not recover from the cancer. New treatment options are being studied to provide better outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from the body of a person in order to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training the body's immune system to fight cancer.