Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, a lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms such as fatigue or chest pain that may be similar to other conditions.

These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the thin membrane lining the heart. This is one of the rarest mesothelioma types, making up about 1% to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Similar to mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos (https://www.Instapaper.com/p/14476166) exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally found mineral that was used in many common household and commercial products for many years. The fibers are easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the tissues of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.

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

In most cases, a person exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma that is found in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. It can be difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart diseases.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impact your ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a fluid accumulation around the heart known as pericardial effusion. The condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist will determine whether a patient has this rare type of disease and assist them in finding the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. People who have mesothelioma in their family are at a higher risk of developing it as well.

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer that accounts for less than one percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases, is primarily found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or living with someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with a variety of symptoms that are difficult to diagnose.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles stick to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from another part of the body such as the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and finally to the lining inside the heart.

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

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as mesothelioma of the pericardial region may take years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances, pericardial mesothelioma can cause a swollen finger the condition where the fingers swell and appear larger than usual.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium based on the patient's medical background. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. They will also collect an x-ray or a tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. It is important that patients report all their symptoms to their doctor so that they can be examined for mesothelioma as well as other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and can accurately diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. Symptoms often mimic more common heart diseases and may not be apparent until the disease has progressed in a significant way. Moreover, asbestos exposure can happen decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma and makes the connection difficult to recognize. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos settlement-related symptoms.

The cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. In time the affected tissue transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart as a result of the tumors and the pressure that results causes pressure on the organ and results in symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are usually performed first by doctors to look for any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spread of cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their employment medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos legal-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma litigation.

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

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with 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 calling us. We will help you through the whole procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

To be able to accurately diagnose pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then use various tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the signs and determine if there's an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. Because of this long time between latency, it is important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to consult a physician immediately. It is also important to be candid about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma that accounts for less than 1percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions or symptoms.

A physician will first examine the patient and listen to their heartbeat and breathing. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest in order to detect any areas of swelling and check for any tumors. If they discover fluid in the pericardium, they will require an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's functioning and to determine whether the lining of the heart 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 is malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will remove small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab to be tested further.

Many patients suffering from pericardial Sarcoidosis are not able to survive due to the fact that the treatments are more limited than for other types. New treatment methods are being researched to provide better outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which is the process of the addition or removal of genes from a person's body in order to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to build a patient's immune system to fight cancer.