Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma, which is found in the heart's lining (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms like chest pain and fatigue that can mimic other conditions.

The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is for patients to share their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that surrounds the heart, known as the pericardium. This 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 utilized in a variety of commercial and household items for many years. Its harmful fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and they can get caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils get irritated and develop into tumors that eventually spread throughout the body.

Doctors have only identified a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of cases. They are still unable to fully understand how asbestos settlement leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it happens in around quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it is usually diagnosed decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In the majority of cases, a person exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma, which is found in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it is difficult to diagnose because symptoms can be similar to those of other heart conditions.

The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can impact your ability to breathe. The symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by running an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or the pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist will determine if a patient is suffering from this rare form of disease and assist them in finding the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases your risk.

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer that accounts for less than 1 % of mesothelioma that is malignant is most often discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or in the home of someone who was impacted of your symptoms and will be able to accurately determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart disorders and may not appear until the condition has advanced substantially. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur decades before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to identify. However, anyone with a history of asbestos 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 migrate from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. Over time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and thicken the pericardium. The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart as a result of the tumors and the pressure that results causes pressure on the organ and leads to symptoms.

Typically, doctors perform imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors. Then, they conduct tests in the blood to confirm mesothelioma's presence and determine the extent of cancerous cells growing.

Patients with mesothelioma should also be ready to discuss their work history with their doctor. asbestos compensation workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible 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 who is experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. No fee is charged unless we can get compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the many laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will guide you through the entire process from start to the point of completion. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

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

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is essential that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms consult a doctor promptly due to the long delay. They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos so they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma that accounts for less than one percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. 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 stage 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 can also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling and check for any tumors. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely order an echocardiogram to check how well the heart functions and to see whether there is any thickening of the lining.

If the doctor is able to determine that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it's malignant. When they conduct a biopsy doctors take small pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further analysis.

Many victims of pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatment options are less than for other types. However, there are some new treatment methods being explored that may provide 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 certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to build a patient's immune system to fight the cancer.