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 typically causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that can be similar to other health conditions.

These symptoms can take years to develop after exposure to asbestos and can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to make an accurate diagnosis is to share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart, also known as the pericardium. It is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about 1 to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, was used for decades in a wide range of household and commercial products. Its fibers can be easily swallowed, inhaled or trapped in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils are irritated, and they form tumors that then spread throughout the body.

A few doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they do not know the exact mechanism that causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to grow, they do know that around one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is in part because it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In most instances, a person exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal melanoma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma, in the testes of males. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it can be difficult to identify because symptoms can be similar to those of other heart conditions.

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma attorney tend to come on gradually and affect the ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a build-up of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by performing an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or the pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient has the rare form of this disease and determine the most effective 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 your risk.

Signs and symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma lawyer also occurs by asbestos fibers that penetrate the heart's tissue. This uncommon form of cancer that accountseir physician to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Taking our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and is able to correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. Its symptoms are often akin to other heart conditions that are more common and may not be apparent until the condition has advanced significantly. Asbestos exposure can happen years before pericardial msothelioma can be diagnosed and it is difficult to identify the connection. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should consult their physician about any symptoms that may be related to asbestos.

The reason for mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear, but doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissues there. In time, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells which grow into tumors. Because of tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm mesothelioma's presence and determine the extent of cancerous cells spreading.

Patients with mesothelioma should also be ready to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have an asbestos-related history may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma lawsuits.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can help you determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. There is no charge unless we can recover compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the various laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our online claim form or call us to begin. We will guide you through the whole process. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.

Treatment

To be able to accurately identify pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then perform various tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the signs and determine if there's fluid accumulation in the pericardium.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to grow. It is essential that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms consult a doctor promptly because of the long latency period. They should also be open about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty in identifying this condition because it may be similar to other heart conditions and signs.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by an experienced physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest to detect tumors and find areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely order an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart functions and determine if there is any lining 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 it's malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab to be tested further.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatments than other types, a majority of sufferers will not recover from the disease. However, there are some new treatment methods being explored that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient in order to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims at training the body's immune system to fight cancer.