Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is an uncommon form of mesothelioma, which is found in the heart's lining (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms like chest pain and fatigue that may mimic other ailments.

It can take a long time for these symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What causes mesothelioma of the pericardium?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the thin membrane lining the heart. This is a rare type of mesothelioma that accounts for 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in many common household and commercial products for many years. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, 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.

Doctors have only discovered an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of instances. Although they do not know what causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to grow but they do know that about 25% of mesothelioma sufferers are affected. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs years after asbestos exposure.

In the majority of instances, a person exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma that forms in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. It is sometimes difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma if the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.

The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis usually develop gradually and can affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a swell of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition through an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist will determine if a patient is suffering from this rare type of disease and assist them in finding the most effective treatment. Other factors, like genetics, an impaired immune system, and exposure to radiation, can increase the risk for mesothelioma of the pericardium. A family history of the disease also increases the risk.

Symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers reaching the heart's tissues. This rare form of the cancer, which accounts for less than 1 percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases is most often found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or by living with those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by various symptoms that can be difficult to identify.

When asbestos particles stick to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to grow and thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos particles are the cause. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from another area of the body, such as the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.

The chest and abdomen are called the mesothelium, which is the primary site for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also begin in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However, this is much less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as pericardial mesothelioma lawsuits may take years to show up after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases such as chest pain, difficulty in breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In some instances, pericardial mesothelioma may cause a swollen finger the condition where the fingers expand and appear more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium by looking at the patient's medical history. They will ask the patient about any asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They will also take a fluid or tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma or other ailments. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and can accurately diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to identify. The symptoms can be similar to other heart diseases and may not manifest until the disease has advanced. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can happen decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the connection difficult to detect. Anyone with a history of asbestos should discuss their exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The exact cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue there. As time passes the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells which grow into tumors. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results causes stress on the organ and results in symptoms.

Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to detect abnormal fluids or tumors. Then they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma lawyers, and determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.

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

A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation can help you understand the legal options that are available to you if or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. No fees are charged unless we can recover compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the many laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our online claim form or call us to begin. We will help you through the entire 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 about their asbestos exposure in order to determine if pericardial mesothelioma lawsuits is a cancer. They can then utilize different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. Because of this lengthy time period of latency, it's important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to consult a physician immediately. They must also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos to ensure they get the best treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma and accounts for only about 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.

A doctor will first look over the patient and listen to their heartbeat and breathing. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to identify any areas of swelling, and also check for a tumor. 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 that is thickening.

Once the doctor has concluded that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. In a biopsy procedure doctors take small pieces of fluid or tissue 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 treatments are more limited than for other types. However, there are some new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient to combat certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to build the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.