Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms such as chest pain and fatigue that may mimic other ailments.
These symptoms may take years to manifest following exposure to asbestos, making a diagnosis challenging. The best way to make an accurate diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their physician.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that runs along the heart, known as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma that is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of all cases. Like all types of mesothelioma, pericardial is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral has been used for a long time in a variety of household and commercial products. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the tissues of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.
A few doctors have discovered a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They are still unable to fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium, but they do know that it occurs in a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos.
The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural msothelioma. This cancer is found in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. It can be difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is if the symptoms are similar to those of other heart diseases.
The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear slowly and can affect the ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a swell of fluid around the heart known as pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a doctor using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of the disease and determine the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Patients with a family history of mesothelioma have an increased risk, too.
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 one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is most commonly found in people who have been exposed to asbestos at work or within close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by various symptoms that can be difficult to identify.
When asbestos particles stick to the pericardium's lining they can cause tumors to grow and thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the process by which pericardial cancer develops however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body such as the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining in the heart.
Lake Charles asbestos lawsuit and chest are known as the mesothelium. This is the main site for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However it is not as common.
The symptoms of mesothelioma such as pericardial mesothelioma may take years to surface after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other illnesses and can include chest pain, trouble breathing, weight loss, fatigue and a constant cough. In certain cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, a condition where the fingers swell up and look more round than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium based on the patient's medical background. They will ask the patient about any asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests like 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 is a rare condition, and many doctors are not aware of the symptoms. It is crucial that patients report all symptoms to their doctor so that they can be examined for mesothelioma as well as other ailments. Taking our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and is able to accurately determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms often mirror more common heart disorders and may not be apparent until the disease has progressed significantly. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur decades before the onset of pericardial cancer, making the link hard to detect. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should consult their physician about any signs that could be due to asbestos.
Doctors don't know the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma. However, they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lung to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue. Over time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and thicken the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are usually performed first by doctors to detect any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are spreading.
Mesothelioma patients should be prepared to discuss their occupational medical history with a doctor. asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos related illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with an asbestos-related past may be eligible for compensation via a mesothelioma lawsuit.
A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you if or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and has developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we can get compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the many laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our claim online form or call us to get started. We will guide you through the entire process from beginning to the end. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.
Treatment
To properly diagnose pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then perform various tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the symptoms and determine if there is fluid accumulation in the pericardium.
Asbestos fibers can take as long as 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. Because of this lengthy time period of latency, it's essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to talk to an expert doctor right away. They should also be honest about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest types of mesothelioma that accounts for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions and symptoms.
A doctor will first look over the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to check for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will request an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's function and see whether the lining of the heart has thickened.
After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further analysis.
Because pericardial mesothelioma has a more limited range of treatment options than other types, many patients will not be able to recover from the cancer. However, there are new treatment methods being explored which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient to combat certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to strengthen the immune system of the patient to fight the cancer.