Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a part of the lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally results in symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can be similar to other health conditions.

These symptoms can take years to manifest following exposure to asbestos and can be difficult to diagnose. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to ensure a correct diagnosis.

What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that lines the heart, also known as the pericardium. This is a rare form of mesothelioma which can be found in 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma lawyer is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, was used for decades in a wide range of commercial and household products. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or trapped in the tissues of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that get irritated and develop into tumors that spread to other parts of the body.

Only a handful of doctors have discovered a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They are still unable to fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to this cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it happens in around quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.

Most people who are exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. The cancer develops in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it may be difficult to identify because symptoms are often similar to those of other heart conditions.

The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis usually develop gradually and can impair the ability to breathe. These symptoms can include chest pain, trouble breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by running an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist will determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of disease and guide them to the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. Patients with a family history of mesothelioma have an increased risk as well.

Symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma attorneys that is malignant is found most often in people exposed to asbestos at work or within close proximity to someone who has been affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and may be a sign of other diseases which makes it difficult to diagnose.

As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to grow and thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is what causes pericardial mesothelioma, though doctors know little about how it develops. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from a different part of the body, such as the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then it spread to the lining of the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining of both the abdomen and chest. This is where the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease can also begin in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However it is not as common.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial may take years to show up after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses such as chest pain, difficulty breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma may cause a swollen finger the condition where the fingers expand and appear larger than usual.

Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire with the patient about their previous asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to evaluate the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis, they will also take a sample of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare condition that isn't acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can lead to serious symptoms. It is crucial for patients to report all their symptoms to their doctor so that they can be examined for mesothelioma as well as other diseases. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions and may not be apparent until the disease has advanced. In addition, exposure to asbestos can happen decades before the onset of pericardial cancer, making the link hard to identify. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should discuss their exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

Doctors aren't sure of the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma. However, they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lung to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue. Over time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells that grow into tumors. Due to tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests in the blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are growing.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have an asbestos-related history may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma lawsuits.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can assist you to understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a free consultation. No fee is charged unless we are able to obtain compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws affecting asbestos victims, and can help you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our claim online form or call us to get started. We'll guide you through the entire process from beginning to finish. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.

Treatment

Doctors should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure in order to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then use different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to grow. It is essential that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms consult a doctor promptly due to the long time of latency. 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 types of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma lawyer cases that are diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of identifying this condition as it can mimic other heart conditions or signs.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination by an expert physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor can also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to check for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will request an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's functioning and to determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened.

If the doctor is able to determine that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove small amounts of tissue or fluid and send samples to a laboratory for further analysis.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatments than other types of cancer, a large percentage of patients will not be able to recover from the disease. New treatment options are being researched to provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or removing certain genes from the body of a patient in order to combat certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, that aims to boost a patient's immunity to fight cancer.