Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma typically causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.
These symptoms can take years to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their physician.
What causes mesothelioma of the pericardium?
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that lines the heart, known as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma, which can be found in 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Similar to mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in a variety of commercial and household products for decades. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed, or trapped in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils irritate and form tumors.
Doctors have only discovered a link between
asbestos lawsuit exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of instances. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, but they do know that it occurs in a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.
In the majority of instances, a person who is exposed to
asbestos claim may develop pleural mesothelioma. It is found in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms often resemble those of other heart conditions.
The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may impair your ability to breathe. These symptoms can include chest pain, trouble breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart called pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by running an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or an pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and find the best treatment. In addition to
asbestos litigation exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. People with mesothelioma in their family have a higher risk as well.
Signs and symptoms
Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer which is responsible for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by many symptoms that are difficult to diagnose.
Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to develop tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from another area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is the lining for both the abdomen and chest. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease can also develop in the peritoneal lining and 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. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, difficulty in breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma could cause a swollen finger, a condition in which the fingers swell and appear more round than normal.
Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about any 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'll also take samples of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and many doctors are not aware of the signs. It is crucial that patients report all of their symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and correctly determine if you are suffering from.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart ailments and may not be apparent until the disease has advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the link hard to identify. Anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
The 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 affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells that grow into tumors. The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart due to the tumors and the resulting pressure causes stress on the organ, which leads to symptoms.
Typically, doctors perform imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors. They then run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of cancerous cells growing.
Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their work medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma litigation.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer with experience in
asbestos litigation can help you know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no fee unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
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 various laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our claim online form or call us to begin. We'll guide you through the entire process from start to the end. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.
Treatment
In order to properly identify pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then use a variety of tests including X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.
It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to grow. Due to this long latency period, it is crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to consult a physician immediately. They should also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos so they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and is the reason for only 1percent of mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart conditions and symptoms.
The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical exam conducted by a physician who will listen to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor may also order a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to look for tumors and areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium, they will request an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's functioning and to determine if the lining has thickened.
Once the doctor has concluded that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will take tiny pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further testing.
A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis are not able to survive due to the fact that the treatment options are more limited than for other types. New treatment options are being investigated that could offer better outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which involves adding or removing genes from a body in order to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to train the immune system of the patient to fight cancer.
