Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a tissue that surrounds the heart. This kind of mesothelioma usually causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.
It can take a long time for these symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. This makes it difficult to determine the cause. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to ensure a reliable diagnosis.
What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart, also known as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma that account for one-third to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like all mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in many common commercial and household products for decades. Its toxic fibers are easily swallowed or inhaled and can be caught in the chest's lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.
Doctors have only identified a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma only in a few cases. Although they do not know how asbestos causes this cancer of the pericardium, they do know that approximately 25% of mesothelioma sufferers are affected. This is partly because it is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure.
In most cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma that forms in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, located in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma in the male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms are often similar to those of other heart conditions.
Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to come on slowly and can affect breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a build-up of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of the disease and guide them to the best treatment. Other factors, including genetics, a weak immune system, and exposure to radiation could increase the risk of pericardial msothelioma. A family history of the disease increases your risk.
Signs and symptoms
Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which makes up less than 1percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is typically found in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or in close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and can mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.
Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.
The lining of the chest and abdomen are both called the mesothelium, which is the main site for the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease can also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, however this is much less common.
After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma symptoms can take years to manifest. The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases such as chest pain, trouble breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In some instances, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, a condition where the fingers swell up and look rounder than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on a patient's medical history. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to check the pericardium. They will also collect samples of tissue or fluid to complete the diagnosis.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and many doctors do not recognize the symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma or other ailments. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of your symptoms and accurately determine if you are suffering from.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. Montgomery asbestos attorney and may not show up until the condition has advanced in a significant way. Asbestos exposure can happen decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed, making it difficult to determine the connection. Nonetheless, anyone who has had a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with doctors and inquire about any asbestos-related symptoms.
The cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known However, doctors believe it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium and irritate the tissue that is there. Over time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells, which then transform into tumors. Because of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are usually carried out by doctors first to look for any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of cancerous cells spreading.
Patients with mesothelioma should also be ready to discuss their work history with their doctor. Asbestos workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a past of exposure to asbestos could be entitled to compensation in a mesothelioma suit.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can help determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a free consultation. No fee is charged unless we can recover compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the laws that affect asbestos victims, and can assist you in obtaining the benefits you deserve. Fill out our claim online form or call us to get started. We will walk you through the entire process from beginning to the end. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.
Treatment
Doctors should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure in order to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then perform various tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the symptoms and determine if there's fluid buildup in the pericardium.
It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. Because of this long latency period, it is important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to see a doctor immediately. They should also be honest about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment possible.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1percent of mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty in identifying this condition as it can be a symptom of other heart conditions or symptoms.
A physician will first examine the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also request an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling, and also check for a tumor. If they find fluid in the pericardium, they will require an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's function and determine if the lining has thickened.
Once the doctor has concluded that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it's malignant. When they conduct a biopsy doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to the lab for further analysis.
Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatments than other types, a majority of patients will not be able to recover from the cancer. However, there are new treatment options being studied that may provide better outcomes for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which entails the addition or removal of genes from a body in order to fight diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training an individual's immunity to fight cancer.