Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma typically produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may be similar to other health conditions.
It can take a long time for symptoms to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult to determine the cause. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is to share their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor.
What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart. It is among the rarest types of mesothelioma, making up about 1 to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. As with all types of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally has been used for a long time in a variety of household and commercial products. The toxic fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and can be caught in the chest's lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils are irritated, and they form tumors that eventually spread throughout the body.
Only a few doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They still do not know exactly how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, however they know that it occurs in about a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly because it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos.
The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. This cancer is found in the lung's lining as well as the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. It can be difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart diseases.
The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to develop gradually and affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms may include chest pain, trouble breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart called pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of this disease and determine the most effective treatment. Other factors, including genetics, a weak immune system, and exposure to radiation, can increase the risk for mesothelioma of the pericardium. A family history of the disease also increases your risk.
Symptoms
As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer which is responsible for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is most often found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and may be a sign of other diseases, making diagnosis difficult.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is the lining of both the abdomen and chest. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumours develop. The disease may also start in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However, this is much less common.
After exposure to asbestos, the mesothelioma symptoms may take years to manifest. The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases that cause chest pain, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma can cause clubbing of the fingers the condition where the fingers expand and appear larger than usual.
Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire with the patient about their previous asbestos exposure and perform imaging tests such as radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to evaluate the pericardium. They may also take a fluid or tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare condition that isn't recognized by many doctors, can cause serious symptoms. It is important that patients report all symptoms to their doctor so that they can be examined for mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and will be able to accurately determine if you are suffering from.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart disorders and may not show up until the condition has advanced in a significant way. In addition, exposure to asbestos can occur decades before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to identify. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should speak to their physician about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.
Doctors do not know the exact cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lung to the pericardium and cause irritation to tissue. As time passes, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are usually performed first by doctors to identify any tumors or excessive fluids. Then, anchorage asbestos lawyer run tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their occupational history with a doctor. Asbestos workers are at a greater risk of developing asbestos related illnesses, like lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a past of asbestos exposure could be qualified for compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit.
A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation will help you understand the legal options that are available to you if or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we can recover compensation for you.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws affecting asbestos victims, and can assist you in receiving the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our claim online form or contact us for assistance. We will guide you through the whole procedure. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.
Treatment
To be able to accurately determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then use a variety of tests, such as Xrays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs and determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.
It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. It is crucial that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms see a doctor promptly because of the long time of latency. They must also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is the reason for only one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can mimic other heart conditions and symptoms.
A doctor will first look over the patient and listen to their heartbeat and breathing. 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 find fluid in the pericardium, they will require an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and see if the lining has thickened.
Once the doctor has concluded there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm their diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will take small samples of fluid or tissue and send samples to a laboratory for further testing.
Many victims of pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatment options are less than for other types. New treatment options are being studied to improve the outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from a body in order to fight diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to build a patient's immune system to fight the cancer.