Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma which occurs in the heart’s lining (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms like chest pain and fatigue that can mimic other conditions.
The symptoms can take a long time to manifest following exposure to asbestos which makes a diagnosis difficult. The best method to obtain a correct diagnosis is to share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.
What causes mesothelioma attorneys pericardial?
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart, known as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about 1% to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in many common commercial and household products for a long time. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled and they can end up in the chest’s lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that become irritated and form tumors that spread to other parts of the body.
Doctors have only identified a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma in just a few instances. Although they do not know how asbestos causes this cancer of the pericardium to grow, they do know that approximately 25% of mesothelioma sufferers are affected. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after asbestos exposure.
In the majority of instances, an individual exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. It can be difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart conditions.
The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis usually develop gradually and can impair your ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a build-up of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition through an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or a pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of disease and guide them to the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics, an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. People who have mesothelioma in their family are at a higher risk as well.
Signs and symptoms
As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than 1% of all malignant cases of mesothelioma is typically found in people exposed to asbestos at work or within close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and can mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult.
As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium’s lining they can cause tumors to develop and increase the thickness of the membrane. Doctors do not know the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from another area of the body, like the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is the lining for both the chest and abdomen. This is where the majority of mesothelioma lawyer tumors develop. The disease may also start in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However this is less common.
After exposure to asbestos, symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to show up. The symptoms are usually similar to other conditions and can include chest pain, trouble breathing and weight loss, fatigue and a persistent cough. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma can cause clubbing of the fingers the condition where the fingertips swell and appear more round than normal.
Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient’s medical history and symptoms. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests, like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis, they will also take samples of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare condition that isn’t recognized by many doctors, can lead to serious symptoms. It is crucial that patients report all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other ailments. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and will be able to correctly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to recognize. The symptoms often mirror more common heart diseases and may not appear until the disease has progressed in a significant way. Asbestos exposure can take place decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed and it is difficult to detect the link. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should talk to their physician about any symptoms that may be related to asbestos.
The exact cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown, but doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. In time, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells, which then develop into tumors. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results causes stress on the organ, which leads to symptoms.
Typically, doctors perform imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to spot any tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.
mesothelioma attorneys patients must also be prepared to discuss their employment history with a physician. Asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can help understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we can get compensation for you.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws affecting asbestos victims and will help you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Start your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will walk you through the entire process from beginning to the point of completion. 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 about their asbestos exposure in order to determine if pericardial mesothelioma lawsuit is a cancer. They can then employ various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.
Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. Because of this lengthy time between latency, it is crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to talk to an expert doctor right away. It is also essential to be upfront about their past exposure to asbestos in order to receive the best treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma (PM), one of the rarest types of mesothelioma that accounts for less than one percent of all cases of mesothelioma lawyers diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty of identifying this condition as it may be similar to other heart conditions or signs.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical exam conducted by an expert physician who listens to the patient’s breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to look for tumors and areas of swelling. If they detect fluid in the pericardium they will require an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart’s function and see whether the lining has become thicker.
Once the doctor has determined that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will remove small amounts of tissue or fluid and send samples to a laboratory for further testing.
Many victims of pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatments are more limited than for other types. New treatment options are being investigated that could improve the 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. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to train the immune system of the patient to fight cancer.