Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma typically results in symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other health conditions.

These symptoms can take years to develop following asbestos exposure which makes a diagnosis difficult. The best method to obtain a correct diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor.

What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that is found in the thin membrane that lines the heart. This is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about 1 to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Similar to other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in a wide range of commercial and household items for decades. The toxic fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and they can get caught in the chest's lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a small number of cases. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium. However, they do know that it occurs in about 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In the majority of cases, a person exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma that forms in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. There is also the possibility of developing testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it is difficult to identify because symptoms can be similar to those of other heart conditions.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can impair your ability to breathe. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a swell of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by running an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or the pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of the disease and find the best treatment. In addition to asbestos case exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics, an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. Patients who have a family history of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of developing it as well.

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 the cancer which is responsible for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma that is malignant, is primarily discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with the symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and can correctly determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize. The symptoms can be similar to other heart ailments and may not show up until the disease is advanced. Moreover, asbestos legal exposure can happen decades before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to identify. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos settlement should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The reason for mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissues there. Over time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells, which then develop into tumors. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart as a result of the tumors and the resulting pressure puts stress on the organ, which results in symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are generally performed first by doctors to look for any tumors or excessive fluids. They then run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding.

Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their occupational medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have a history of asbestos lawyer exposure could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can assist you to determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. There is no fee unless we seek compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the many laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or contact us for assistance. We will guide you through the entire process from beginning to finish. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

To be able to accurately determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then utilize different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. Because of this lengthy time period of latency, it's crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to see a physician immediately. It is also important to be candid about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and accounts for only about 1percent of mesothelioma cases identified. This is due in part to the difficulty in identifying this condition because it may be similar to other heart diseases and signs.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling, and also check for any tumors. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely require an echocardiogram in order to observe how well the heart functions and to see whether there is any lining that is thickening.

Once the doctor has concluded there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will take small amounts of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further analysis.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has an enumeration of treatments than other types, a majority of victims will not survive the cancer. However, there are new treatments being developed which could provide better results for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which is the process of the addition or removal of genes from a body in order to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to train a patient's immune system to fight cancer.