Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, which is a tissue that surrounds the heart. This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms such as fatigue or chest pain that can mimic other conditions.
It can take years for these symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos lawsuit. This makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to ensure a correct diagnosis.
What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest mesothelioma types which accounts for about one-third to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like all types of mesothelioma pericardial is also connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally has been used for a long time in a variety of household and commercial products. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.
Doctors have only discovered an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of cases. Although they do not know the exact mechanism that causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium however, they do know that around a quarter all mesothelioma patients are affected. This is partly due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after a patient’s asbestos exposure.
Most people who are exposed to asbestos develop pleural msothelioma. This cancer forms in the lung’s lining and chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it can be difficult to identify because symptoms often resemble those of other heart conditions.
The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may impact the ability to breathe. The symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart called pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient has 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. People who have mesothelioma-related family history have a higher risk as well.
Signs and symptoms
As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos attorney fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant it is mostly found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or by living with someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and can mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.
Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles adhere to the lining of the pericardium and begin to develop tumors that enlarge the membrane. It is thought that this is what causes pericardial mesothelioma, though doctors aren’t sure how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spreads from another area of the body such as the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining in the heart.
The mesothelium is the lining of the abdomen and chest. This is where the majority of mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles but this is not as common.
Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial, can take decades to surface after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are typically similar to other illnesses and may include chest pain, difficulties breathing and fatigue, weight loss and a persistent cough. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma may cause clubbing of the fingers, a condition in which the fingers expand and appear larger than usual.
Doctors identify pericardial mesothelioma on the basis of the patient’s medical history and symptoms. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. They will also collect a fluid or tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and many doctors are not aware of the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their physician to be examined for mesothelioma or other diseases. The taking of our Symptom Checklist with you prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to properly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to identify. The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not be apparent until the disease is advanced. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur years before pericardial mesothelioma appears, making the connection difficult to identify. Nonetheless, anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
The cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. As time passes the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells, which then transform into tumors. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors, and the resulting pressure causes stress on the organ, which results in symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are generally done by doctors first to look for any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then, they conduct tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.
Patients with mesothelioma should also be prepared to discuss their work history with their physician. asbestos workers are at a greater risk of developing asbestos related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a past of exposure to asbestos could be eligible for compensation in a mesothelioma suit.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no fee unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the many laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or call us to begin. We will walk you through the entire process from start to the point of completion. Contact us at 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 legal (secret info) exposure to diagnose pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then use various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.
It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is crucial that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms seek out a physician immediately due to the lengthy latency period. They must also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos lawsuit to ensure they receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is among the mesothelioma forms that are rare and accounts for only about 1% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases and symptoms.
A physician will first examine the patient and observe their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to look for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they find fluid in the pericardium, they will order an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart’s function and see whether the lining of the heart has thickened.
After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or a fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove tiny pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further testing.
Since pericardial mesothelioma is an enumeration of treatments than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the cancer. However, there are new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient in order to combat certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims at training an individual’s immunity to fight cancer.