Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma which occurs in the heart's lining (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms like fatigue or chest pain that may mimic other ailments.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to make an accurate diagnosis is to discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.

What is the cause of pericardial mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the thin membrane that lines the heart. This is a rare type of mesothelioma that is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of all cases. Similar to mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in many common commercial and household products for many years. The toxic fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and can be caught in the chest's lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that are irritated, and they form tumors that then spread throughout the body.

Doctors have only found a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a handful of instances. They are still unable to fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium. However, they do know that it occurs in a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.

The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. This cancer forms in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma that is found male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms are often similar to the symptoms of other heart diseases.

The signs of pericardial cancer tend to develop gradually and can affect your ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a swell of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of the disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma lawsuits include genetics and an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases the risk.

Signs and symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma lawsuit is a result of asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than 1% of mesothelioma that is malignant is typically found in people who have been exposed to asbestos at work or within close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have a variety of symptoms that are difficult to recognize.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body such as the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining of the heart.

The chest and abdomen 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, this is much less common.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma of the pericardial region may take years to show up after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, trouble breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma could cause a swollen finger this is a condition that causes the fingers expand and appear more round than normal.

Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire with the patient about any asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They will also take a fluid or tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the signs. It is important for patients to disclose all symptoms to their doctor in order to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other ailments. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and will be able to correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose. Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart disorders and may not appear until the disease has progressed substantially. Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial msothelioma can be diagnosed which makes it difficult to determine the connection. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should talk to their physician about any signs that could be due to asbestos.

Doctors aren't sure of the reason for pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lungs into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. As time passes, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells that transform into tumors. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart due to the tumors and the resulting pressure causes pressure on the organ and results in symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are usually done by doctors first to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their work medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma lawsuits.

A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation can help you understand the legal options available to you in the event that you or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we are able to recover compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the laws affecting asbestos victims and can help you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Get started on your claim now by filling out our online form or calling us. We'll guide you through the entire process from start to the end. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

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

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is vital that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms seek out a physician as soon as possible due to the lengthy delay. They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the mesothelioma forms that are rare and is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma lawsuit cases identified. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases and symptoms.

The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical exam conducted by an experienced physician who listens to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor can also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will request an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and see if the lining has thickened.

If the doctor is able to determine that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it's malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will take small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab to be tested further.

Since pericardial mesothelioma is a more limited range of treatment options than other types, a majority of sufferers will not recover from the cancer. However, there are some new treatments being developed which could provide better results for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from a person's body to fight specific diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to train the immune system of a patient to fight cancer.