Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, a lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma usually causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other health conditions.

The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What is the reason for 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 types of mesothelioma, making up about 1 to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos lawyer exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in a wide range of household and commercial products for many years. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and can be caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of cases. They are still unable to fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it happens in 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In most instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma that forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal melanoma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the testes of males. It can be difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is in the event that the symptoms are similar to those of other heart conditions.

The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impair the ability of breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a build-up of fluid around the heart known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition through an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of the disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics, an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Patients with mesothelioma-related family history have an increased risk, too.

Symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer which is responsible for less than one percent of mesothelioma that is malignant it is mostly found in people who were exposed to asbestos compensation in the workplace or by living with those who were affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and can mimic other conditions and make it difficult to determine the cause.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles adhere to the lining of the pericardium and begin to grow into tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors don't know how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from another part of the body, such as the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and finally to the lining in the heart.

The chest and abdomen are both called the mesothelium, which is the main site for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease can also develop in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However this is less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as pericardial mesothelioma may take years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses, and include chest pain, difficulty breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma can cause clubbing of the fingers this is a condition that causes the fingertips swell and appear more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium based on a patient's medical history. They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests, like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to check the pericardium. They will also collect an x-ray or a tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors do not recognize the symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma or other diseases. The taking of our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and is able to correctly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to recognize. The symptoms often mirror more common heart diseases and may not show up until the disease has progressed substantially. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to recognize. However, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with their doctors and ask about Asbestos Settlement-related symptoms.

The cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos case fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue there. Over time the affected tissue transforms into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Because of tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to identify any tumors or excess fluids. Then, they conduct blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.

Patients with mesothelioma must be prepared to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos 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 may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma lawsuits.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help understand your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the various laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or calling us. We will walk 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 identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos claim exposure history. They can then employ different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. Because of this long time between latency, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to see an expert doctor right away. They should also be honest about any previous exposure to asbestos so they are able to receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial Mesothelioma (PM), one of the rarest mesothelioma types is responsible for less than 1percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions or signs.

The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical exam 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 in order to detect any areas of swelling and check for a tumor. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely request an echocardiogram to check how well the heart is working and to see whether there is any thickening of the lining.

If the doctor is able to determine that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further analysis.

Since pericardial mesothelioma is a more limited range of treatment options than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the cancer. New treatment options are being studied to improve the outcomes for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which is the process of adding or removing genes from the body of a person in order to fight diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training the body's immune system to fight cancer.