Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma generally results in symptoms such as 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 make a diagnosis. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to ensure a correct diagnosis.
What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. This is a rare form of mesothelioma which can be found in 1% to 2 % of all cases. Similar to mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in a wide range of commercial and household products for many years. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed, or trapped in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils become irritated and form tumors that spread to other parts of the body.
A few doctors have discovered a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They do not yet fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, however they know that it occurs in 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly because it is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure.
In most instances, a person exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they may also develop peritoneal melanoma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the male testes. It can be difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma if the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.
The signs of pericardial asbestosis usually progress slowly and may affect your ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by running an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart, or an pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient has the rare form of this disease and determine the most effective treatment. Other factors, like genetics, an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure, can increase the risk of mesothelioma of the pericardium. Those who have mesothelioma-related family history have a higher risk of developing it as well.
Symptoms
Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer that accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or in the home of someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to identify.
When asbestos particles stick to the pericardium's lining they can cause tumors to develop and thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is what causes mesothelioma pericardial, although doctors aren't aware of how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from another part of the body like the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and then to the lining of the heart.
The lining of the abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. This is the primary site for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also develop in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However it is not as common.
Symptoms of mesothelioma, including pericardial mesothelioma may take years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other diseases and may include chest pain, trouble breathing and weight loss, fatigue and an ongoing cough. In some cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, an illness where the fingers swell up and look rounder than normal.
Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They may also take an x-ray or a tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare condition that isn't acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can trigger serious symptoms. It is essential that patients report all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and will be able to correctly determine if you are suffering from.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. The symptoms often mirror more common heart disorders and may not be apparent until the disease has progressed substantially. In addition, exposure to asbestos can happen decades before the onset of pericardial cancer, making the connection difficult to identify. Nonetheless, anyone who has had a history of asbestos lawsuit should be able to share their asbestos lawsuit exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
The exact cause of mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear however, doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue there. As time passes the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells, which then develop into tumors. Due to tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are typically done by doctors first to identify any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run tests in the blood to confirm mesothelioma's presence 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 greater risk of developing asbestos related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of exposure to asbestos may be eligible for compensation in a mesothelioma suit.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos compensation and recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can help determine your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we are able to get compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the many laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim now by filling out our online form or calling us. We will help you through the entire process. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.
Treatment
To properly diagnose pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then use different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.
It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. Because of this lengthy latency period, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to see an expert doctor right away. It is also essential to be upfront about their prior exposure to asbestos legal in order to receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, accounts for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can mimic other heart conditions and signs.
A physician will first examine the patient and observe their breathing and heartbeat. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling and check for any tumors. If they find fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will likely request an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart functions and determine if there is any lining thickening.
Once the doctor has concluded that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab to be tested further.
Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatments than other types of cancer, a large percentage of sufferers will not recover from the disease. However, there are new treatments being developed that could offer better outcomes for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which is the process of adding or removing genes from a body to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, which aims at training a patient's immunity to fight cancer.