Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma usually results in symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may be similar to other health conditions.
These symptoms may take years to develop after exposure to asbestos, making a diagnosis challenging. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to ensure a reliable diagnosis.
What is the cause of mesothelioma of the pericardium?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that surrounds the heart, known as the pericardium. It is among the rarest types of mesothelioma which accounts for about 1 to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Similar to other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos attorney exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in a wide range of commercial and household items for many years. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and can be caught in the chest’s lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.
Only a few doctors have discovered a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They still do not know exactly how asbestos law contributes to this type of cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure.
The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. The cancer develops in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal melanoma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the testes of males. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma it can be difficult to identify because symptoms often resemble the symptoms of other heart diseases.
The signs of pericardial asbestosis usually develop gradually and can affect your ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist will determine if a patient suffers from this rare type of disease and guide them to the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics, an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases your risk.
Symptoms
As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which makes up less than 1percent of mesothelioma that is malignant, is most commonly found in those who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or within close proximity to someone who has been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have various symptoms that are difficult to diagnose.
As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium’s lining, they can cause tumors to expand and increase the thickness of the membrane. It is thought that this is the reason for pericardial mesothelioma, though doctors aren’t sure how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew 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 abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. This is the primary location for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also begin in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However it is not as common.
After exposure to asbestos, the mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show up. The symptoms are usually similar to other conditions and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, weight loss and a persistent cough. In some cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing. This is an illness where fingers get swollen 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 conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to check the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they’ll also take a sample of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors are unable to recognize the signs. It is essential that patients report all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and can correctly determine if you are suffering from.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms often mirror more common heart disorders and may not show up until the condition has advanced in a significant way. Asbestos exposure can occur decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed which makes it difficult to determine the connection. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should talk to their physician about any signs that could be related to asbestos.
The cause of mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear However, doctors believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. As time passes the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells that transform into tumors. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results puts pressure on the organ and causes symptoms.
Typically, doctors perform imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to identify any tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run tests in the blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding.
Patients with mesothelioma should also be ready to discuss their work history with their doctor. Asbestos workers are at greater chance of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had an asbestos-related history may qualify for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can assist you to determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos settlement-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the many laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or calling us. 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 about their asbestos lawsuit exposure to diagnose pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then employ different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.
It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. Due to this long time period of latency, it’s important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to consult a doctor immediately. It is also important to be candid about their past exposure to asbestos so they are able to receive the most effective treatment possible.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest types of mesothelioma that accounts for less than 1percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart conditions or symptoms.
The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical exam conducted by an expert 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 check for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium they will request an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart’s function and determine whether the lining has become thicker.
After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure, doctors remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to a laboratory for further testing.
Since pericardial mesothelioma offers an enumeration of treatment options than other types of cancer, a large percentage of sufferers will not recover from the cancer. New treatment options are being investigated that could provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. 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 to build a patient’s immunity to fight cancer.