Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma which occurs in the heart's lining (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma generally causes symptoms like chest discomfort or fatigue, which can mimic other health conditions.
It can take a long time for symptoms to manifest after asbestos exposure. This makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. The best way to make an accurate diagnosis is to share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.
What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, referred to as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma, which can be found in 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Similar to other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, was used for decades in a myriad of commercial and household products. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or trapped in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils get irritated and develop into tumors that then spread throughout the body.
Doctors have only identified a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a few cases. They still do not know exactly how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, however they know that it occurs in about 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly because it typically occurs years after asbestos exposure.
In the majority of instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma, which is found 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 also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it may be difficult to identify because symptoms can be similar to those of other heart ailments.
The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis usually progress slowly and may affect your ability to breathe. The symptoms may include chest pain, trouble breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of the disease and find the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics as well as an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases the risk.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma also occurs by asbestos fibers reaching the heart's tissue. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than 1% of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is most commonly found in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or within close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and can mimic other conditions and make it difficult to determine the cause.
Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Sterling Heights asbestos attorneys of doctors believe that the cancer originated from an area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.
The chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium. This is the primary site for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also start in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However it is not as common.
After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma symptoms may take years to show up. The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases such as chest pain, difficulty in breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma may cause clubbing of the fingers this is a condition that causes the fingers expand and appear rounder than usual.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on the patient's medical history. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests, like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at 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 large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. It is essential for patients to report all their symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Bring our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and is able to properly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. The symptoms may be similar to other heart diseases and may not show up until the disease is advanced. Asbestos exposure can take place decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed and it is difficult to detect the link. Nonetheless, anyone who has had a history of asbestos should discuss their exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
The reason for mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known However, doctors believe it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissue there. Over time the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors. The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results puts stress on the organ, which results in symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are generally done by doctors first to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spreading of cancerous cells.
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, like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we are able to recover compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the many laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will help you through the whole procedure. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.
Treatment
Doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure to diagnose pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then conduct a series of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the symptoms and determine if there's an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.
It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. Because of this lengthy latency period, it is crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to talk to a doctor immediately. It is also important to be candid about their past exposure to asbestos so they can receive the most effective treatment possible.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases and signs.
A physician will first examine the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also request an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling and to check for tumors. If they find fluid in the pericardium, they will order an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's functioning and to determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened.
Once the doctor has determined that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. In a biopsy procedure, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing.
Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatments than other types, a majority of patients will not be able to recover from the disease. New treatment options are being investigated that could provide better outcomes for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from a body to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, that aims to boost a patient's immunity to fight cancer.