Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other health conditions.
The symptoms can take a long time to manifest following exposure to asbestos which makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to make sure they get a proper diagnosis.
What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma, making up about 1% to 2% of mesothelioma cases. As with lancaster asbestos lawsuit of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also associated with asbestos exposure.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was extensively used in a wide range of household and commercial products. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed or trapped in the tissues of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.
A few doctors have found 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 know that it happens in around 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it typically occurs decades after asbestos exposure.
In most instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lungs and 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 when the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.
The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart called pericardial effusion. The condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can determine whether a patient has this rare type of disease and help them find the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. Those with a family history of mesothelioma have an increased risk as well.
Signs and 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 accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is most often seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their workplace or by living with those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with many symptoms that can be difficult to recognize.
As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium's lining, they can cause tumors to develop and increase the thickness of the membrane. Doctors don't know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that 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 then to the lining in the heart.
The chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. This is the main site for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles however this is much less common.
The symptoms of mesothelioma such as pericardial mesothelioma, can take decades to show up after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses that cause chest pain, difficulty breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, which is an illness in which fingers get swollen and appear more rounded than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on the patient's medical history. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests, like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to check the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis they'll also take samples of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors do not recognize the signs. Patients should report any symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma or other ailments. Taking our Symptom Checklist along prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to accurately determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart diseases and may not manifest until the disease has advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can happen decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma and makes the connection difficult to identify. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should share their exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
The exact cause of mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. In time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells that transform into tumors. The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart due to the tumors, and the resulting pressure causes stress on the organ and leads to symptoms.
Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to identify any extra fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm mesothelioma's presence and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are growing.
Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their work history with a physician. asbestos workers are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with an asbestos-related past could be eligible for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation can help you understand the legal options available to you in the event that you or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we are able to recover compensation for you.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws that apply to asbestos victims and can assist you in receiving the benefits you deserve. Fill out our online claim form or call us to get started. We will guide you through the entire process from start to finish. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.
Treatment
In order to properly identify pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then employ a variety of tests including X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.
It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. Because of this long time period of latency, it's essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to consult a physician immediately. It is also important to be candid about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is due to the difficulty in identifying this condition because it may be similar to other heart diseases and symptoms.
The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination by an experienced physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to look for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they find fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will likely require an echocardiogram in order to determine how the heart functions and to determine whether there is any lining thickening.
Once the doctor has concluded that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure doctors take small pieces of tissue or fluid and send them to the lab for further analysis.
Since pericardial mesothelioma is a smaller range of treatments than other types, many victims will not survive the disease. New treatment methods are being studied to offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient in order to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to build the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.