Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma, which is found in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as chest pain and fatigue that may mimic other ailments.
The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor.
What causes pericardial mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is a rare form of mesothelioma, which can be found in 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally found mineral that was used in many common household and commercial products for many years. Its toxic fibers are easily swallowed or inhaled, and can be caught in the chest's lining and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that get irritated and develop into tumors that eventually spread throughout the body.
Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a handful of cases. They do not yet fully understand how
asbestos lawyer leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, but they do know that it occurs in 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after a patient's
asbestos claim exposure.
In the majority of cases, a person exposed to asbestos (
check out this one from khdesign.nehard.kr) may develop pleural mesothelioma that is found in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal melanoma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the testes of males. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it may be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often resemble the symptoms of other heart diseases.
The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impair the ability of breathing. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a swell of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition can be diagnosed by a doctor using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of disease and help them find the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics as well as an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. Patients who have mesothelioma in their family are at a higher risk, too.
Signs and symptoms
As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases is most often discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with a variety of symptoms that are difficult to diagnose.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from another part of the body like the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and then to the lining in the heart.
The lining of the chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. It is the main site for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However, this is much less common.
The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as mesothelioma pericardial may take years to surface after exposure to
asbestos settlement. These symptoms are typically similar to other illnesses and may include chest pain, difficulties breathing as well as fatigue, weight loss and a constant cough. In some cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, an illness in which fingers get swollen and look rounder 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 check the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they'll also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare condition that isn't acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can cause serious symptoms. It is important that patients report all of their symptoms to their doctor so that they can be examined for mesothelioma as well as other diseases. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to properly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. Its symptoms are often akin to other heart conditions that are more common and may not appear until the disease has progressed significantly. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before the onset of pericardial cancer, making the connection difficult to detect. Anyone with a history of
asbestos claim should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
The cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissues there. Over time, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors. Because of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are typically performed first by doctors to look for any tumors or excessive fluids. Then, they conduct tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their employment history with a physician. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer with experience in
asbestos litigation can help you know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a free consultation. 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 numerous laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim now by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will walk you through the entire process from beginning to the end. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.
Treatment
To properly identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then use various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.
It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. Because of this lengthy latency period, it is crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to consult a physician immediately. They should also be open about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1percent of mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart diseases or symptoms.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling and check for any tumors. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will request an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's functioning and to determine whether the lining has become thicker.
If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further analysis.
Since pericardial mesothelioma offers an enumeration of treatment options than other types of cancer, a large percentage of sufferers will not recover from the cancer. However, there are some new treatment options being studied that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or removing certain genes from the body of a patient to combat certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, that aims to boost a patient's immunity to fight cancer.
