Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.
It can take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos litigation exposure. This makes it difficult to determine the cause. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to ensure a correct diagnosis.
What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that surrounds the heart, also known as the pericardium. This is a rare type of mesothelioma, which accounts for 1% to 2 % of all cases. Like mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma 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 toxic fibers are easily inhaled or swallowed, and they can get caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.
A few doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they aren’t sure how asbestos causes this cancer of the pericardium, they do know that around a quarter all mesothelioma patients are affected. This is in part because it typically occurs decades after exposure to asbestos.
In most cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma. It forms in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma that is found male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other heart diseases.
The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to appear gradually and impact breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart called pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by running an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart or a pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. Other factors, including genetics, an weakened immune system, and radiation exposure can increase the risk for mesothelioma pericardial. Those with mesothelioma-related family history are at a higher risk as well.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma is also caused by asbestos fibers that penetrate the heart’s tissues. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is most often discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos claim in their workplace or in the home of someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.
As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium’s lining, they can cause tumors to grow and increase the thickness of the membrane. It is believed that this is the reason for pericardial mesothelioma, though doctors know little about how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from an area of the body, such as the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is the lining of both the chest and abdomen. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease may also start in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However, this is much less common.
After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show up. The symptoms are usually similar to other conditions and may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, weight loss, fatigue and a persistent cough. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma could cause a swollen finger this is a condition that causes the fingers swell and appear more round than normal.
Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient’s medical history and symptoms. They will ask the patient about previous asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests such as radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to look at the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis they will also collect a sample of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition, and a lot of doctors are unable to recognize the symptoms. It is important for patients to disclose all symptoms to their doctor so that they can be examined for mesothelioma as well as other diseases. The taking of our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will help 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
The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not show up until the disease is advanced. Asbestos exposure can take place decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed which makes it difficult to identify the connection. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should share their exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
Doctors do not know the reason for the pericardial msothelioma. They believe it is caused by asbestos lawsuit fibers which migrate from the lung into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. Over time the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells which develop into tumors. Due to tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.
Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. They then run tests in the blood to confirm mesothelioma’s presence and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding.
Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their occupational medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a past of asbestos exposure could be entitled to compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer with experience 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.
The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the laws affecting asbestos victims and will help you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Start your claim now by filling out our online form or calling us. We’ll guide you through the entire process from beginning to finish. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.
Treatment
Doctors must 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 various tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the signs and determine if there’s fluid buildup in the pericardium.
It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. It is crucial that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms see a doctor as soon as possible due to the lengthy delay. They should also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma that accounts for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart diseases and signs.
The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to the patient’s breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to look for tumors and areas of swelling. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely request an echocardiogram to determine how the heart is working and to determine whether there is any lining that is thickening.
Once the doctor has determined that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further analysis.
Many victims of pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatments are more limited than for other kinds. However, there are some new treatment methods being explored that could offer better outcomes for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which involves adding or removing genes from a person’s body in order to fight diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to build the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.