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 fatigue or chest pain that can mimic other conditions.

It can take a long time for symptoms to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is to share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that grows in the thin membrane lining the heart. It is among the rarest types of mesothelioma which accounts for about 1% to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Like all mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in a wide range of household and commercial products for decades. The fibers are easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils get irritated and develop into tumors that then spread throughout the body.

Only a handful of doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they aren't sure what causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium but they do know that about 25% of mesothelioma sufferers are affected. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs years after exposure to asbestos.

The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma attorney. The cancer develops in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it can be difficult to identify because symptoms can be similar to those of other heart ailments.

The signs of pericardial cancer tend to be gradual and may affect your ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a fluid accumulation around the heart known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition through an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart or a pericardial biopsy.

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

Symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer which is responsible for less than 1 % of all malignant mesothelioma cases, is primarily seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma lawsuits can have various symptoms that can be difficult to identify.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors which thicken the membrane. It is believed that this is what causes mesothelioma of the pericardium, but doctors know little about how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from an area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then it spread to the lining of the heart.

The lining of the abdomen and chest are called the mesothelium, which is the primary location for mesothelioma lawsuits tumors to develop. The disease can also develop in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However it is not as common.

After exposure to asbestos, the mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show up. These symptoms are often similar to other illnesses and can include chest pain, difficulties breathing as well as weight loss, fatigue and a persistent cough. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma may cause a swollen finger the condition where the fingers expand and appear more round than normal.

Doctors identify pericardial mesothelioma on the basis of the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will ask the patient about their previous asbestos exposure and perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to examine the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they will also collect a sample of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare condition that isn't acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can trigger serious symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor in order to be examined for mesothelioma or other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and can correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms often mirror more common heart diseases and may not show up until the disease has progressed substantially. Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed, making it difficult to determine the connection. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

Doctors don't know the reason for the pericardial msothelioma. They believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lungs into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. Over time the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells that develop into tumors. As a result of tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are generally performed first by doctors to identify any tumors or excessive fluids. They then run tests in the 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 are at a greater chance of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. 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 who is experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no cost unless we collect compensation on your behalf.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the various laws that affect asbestos sufferers and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim now by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will guide you through the whole procedure. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

In order to properly diagnose pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then perform a variety of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs and determine if there is fluid accumulation in the pericardium.

Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, where they cause cancerous cells. Because of this long time period of latency, it's crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to talk to a doctor immediately. They should also be open about any previous exposure to asbestos so they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma lawsuit and accounts for only about 1% of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is mainly due to the difficulty of identifying this condition as it may be similar to other heart diseases or symptoms.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by a physician who will listen to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor may also request an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling and 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 whether the lining has become thicker.

Once the doctor has concluded that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy doctors take small pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to the lab for further analysis.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has a more limited range of treatments than other types, a majority of sufferers will not recover from the cancer. However, there are some new treatment options being studied that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims to build a patient's immunity to fight cancer.