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 discomfort or fatigue, which can mimic other health conditions.

These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to make an accurate diagnosis is to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that lines the heart, known as the pericardium. It is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about 1% to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Similar to mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.

asbestos legal is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in many common household and commercial products for decades. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed, or trapped in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils become irritated and form tumors that spread to other parts of the body.

Doctors have only found a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a few cases. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, however they know that it happens in around quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In the majority of instances, an individual exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma that is found 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 determine if pericardial msothelioma is if the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impact the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a fluid accumulation around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist will determine whether a patient has this rare form of the disease and guide them to the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Patients who have a family history of mesothelioma have a higher risk, too.

Symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos settlement fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer which is responsible for less than one percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases, is primarily seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with someone who was affected by asbestos lawsuit. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and may be a sign of other diseases, making diagnosis difficult.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles stick to the lining of the pericardium and begin to grow into tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body like the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining inside the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining for both the chest and abdomen. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease can also begin in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However this is less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as pericardial mesothelioma may take years to surface after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses that cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In some cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, which is an illness in which the fingers swell up and look 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 conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they will also collect samples of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition, and a lot of doctors are unable to recognize the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. Bring our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and is able to correctly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms may be similar to other heart ailments and may not be apparent until the disease is advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the link hard to detect. Anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The reason for mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissue there. Over time the affected tissue transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and thicken the pericardium. The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results puts stress on the organ and results in symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to detect extra fluids or tumors. They then run tests in the blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are growing.

Patients with mesothelioma must be ready to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. There is no charge unless we collect compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the numerous laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will guide you through the entire procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

To properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then use various tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs and determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.

It can take up to 60 years for asbestos case fibers to penetrate the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to grow. It is essential that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms seek out a physician as soon as possible due to the long time of latency. They should also be open about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they are able to receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is among the mesothelioma forms that are rare and accounts for only about 1percent of mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases or symptoms.

The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor can also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest in order to detect any areas of swelling and to check for tumors. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely request an echocardiogram to determine how the heart functions and to determine if there is any lining thickening.

If the doctor is able to determine that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will take small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing.

Many patients suffering from pericardial Sarcoidosis are not able to survive due to the fact that the treatment options are more limited than for other types. However, there are some new treatment methods being explored which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or removing certain genes from the body of a patient to combat certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to build the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.