Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma lawyers occurs in the pericardium, which is a part of the lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.
These symptoms may take years to manifest following exposure to asbestos, making a diagnosis challenging. The best method to obtain a correct diagnosis is for patients to share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.
What is the cause of mesothelioma pericardial?
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about 1% to 2% of mesothelioma cases. As with all types of mesothelioma, pericardial is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, was used for decades in a wide range of commercial and household items. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled and they can get caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that get irritated and develop into tumors that spread to other parts of the body.
Only a few doctors have discovered a link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They still do not know exactly how asbestos contributes to this type of cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in around quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos.
In most instances, an individual who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma lawyers. It develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. It is sometimes difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma if the symptoms are similar to those of other heart conditions.
The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may impair the ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a build-up of fluid around the heart known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose 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 is suffering from the rare form of the disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics, an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. People who have mesothelioma in their family have a higher risk, too.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma is also caused by asbestos fibers reaching the tissue surrounding the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is most often seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have many symptoms that can be difficult to identify.
When asbestos particles adhere to the pericardium’s lining they can cause tumors to expand and thicken the membrane. Doctors aren’t sure how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are the reason. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from another area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then it spread to the lining of the heart.
The lining of the abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. It is the primary location for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease can also develop in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However this is less common.
After exposure to asbestos, symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to show up. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses such as chest pain, difficulty breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In some instances the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, which is a condition where fingers get swollen and appear more rounded than normal.
Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient’s medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis, they will also take samples of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare condition that isn’t acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can cause serious symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their physician to be examined for mesothelioma or other conditions. Taking our Symptom Checklist with you prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and can properly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize. The symptoms may be similar to other heart diseases and may not manifest until the disease is advanced. Asbestos exposure can occur years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed and it is difficult to detect the link. Nonetheless, anyone who has had a history of asbestos should share their exposure history with their doctors and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.
Doctors don’t know the specific cause of the pericardial msothelioma. They believe it is caused by asbestos fibers which migrate from the lungs into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. In time the affected tissue transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Because of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are usually performed first by doctors to detect any tumors or excessive fluids. They then run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of cancerous cells expanding.
Patients with mesothelioma must be ready to discuss their history of work with their physician. asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via a mesothelioma lawsuit (visit this hyperlink).
A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you if or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. There is no fee unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the various laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or contact us for assistance. 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 to learn about the benefits you have available to you.
Treatment
To be able to accurately diagnose pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then use a series of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the signs and determine if there’s an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.
Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining inside the heart, causing cancerous cells. It is vital that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms consult a doctor immediately due to the long time of latency. They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos in order to receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma that accounts for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty in identifying this condition because it may be similar to other heart diseases and symptoms.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by a physician who will listen to the patient’s breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they’ll likely request an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart is functioning and to determine whether there is any thickening of the lining.
Once the doctor has concluded there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. During a biopsy doctors will take small amounts of fluid or tissue and send them to the laboratory for further testing.
Since pericardial mesothelioma is a smaller range of treatment options than other types, a majority of patients will not be able to recover from the cancer. However, there are new treatment methods being explored that may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims to build an individual’s immunity to fight cancer.