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 such as fatigue or chest pain that may be similar to other conditions.
These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos exposure which makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to ensure a correct diagnosis.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that surrounds the heart, referred to as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma that can be found in 1% to 2 percent of all cases. As with all types of mesothelioma, pericardial is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in a wide range of household and commercial products for a long time. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed, or trapped in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.
Doctors have only found an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of instances. They do not yet fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to this cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it happens in quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs decades after exposure to asbestos lawyer.
In most instances, an individual who is exposed to asbestos settlement can develop pleural mesothelioma. It is found in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma in the testes of males. It is sometimes difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma in the event that the symptoms are similar to other heart diseases.
The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may impair the ability of breathing. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a build-up of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a doctor using 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 could increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases your risk.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma also occurs by asbestos fibers affecting the tissue surrounding the heart. This rare form of the cancer, which accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma that is malignant, is primarily discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with those who were affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and may be a sign of other diseases which makes it difficult to diagnose.
Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors which thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is what causes mesothelioma of the pericardium, but doctors know little about how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer originated from a different part of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is the lining of both the chest and abdomen. This is where most mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease can also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, though this is far less frequent.
Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial may take years to show up after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other conditions and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing as well as fatigue, weight loss and a constant cough. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma may cause a swollen finger the condition where the fingers swell and appear larger than usual.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium based on the patient’s medical background. They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause, they will also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a rare condition that isn’t acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can lead to serious symptoms. It is essential that patients report all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other ailments. Bring our Symptom Checklist along prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and can properly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize. The symptoms often mirror more common heart diseases and may not appear until the condition has advanced significantly. In addition, exposure to asbestos can occur years before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to identify. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should speak to their physician about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.
The reason for mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known, but doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that travel from the lungs into the pericardium and irritate the tissues there. As time passes, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. Because of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to spot any tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be ready to discuss their history of work with their doctor. asbestos lawsuit workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation (Going Listed here) can assist you to determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. There is no charge unless we are able to recover compensation for you.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the numerous laws that impact asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or call us to get started. We will help you through the whole procedure. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.
Treatment
Doctors should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure in order to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then use a variety of tests including X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.
Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining inside the heart, where they cause cancerous cells. It is essential that anyone suffering from mesothelioma see a doctor promptly because of the long time of latency. It is also important to be candid about any previous exposure to asbestos lawsuit so that they can receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest types of mesothelioma that accounts for less than 1percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases and signs.
The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical exam conducted by a physician who will listen to the patient’s breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also request an MRI or CT scan of the chest in order to detect any areas of swelling and to check for tumors. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will require an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart’s function and determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened.
Once the doctor has concluded that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will take small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing.
Because pericardial mesothelioma has an enumeration of treatment options than other types, a majority of sufferers will not recover from the disease. However, there are some new treatment methods being explored which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient to fight specific diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to train a patient’s immune system to fight the cancer.