Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other ailments.

These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to make an accurate diagnosis is to share their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the thin membrane that lines the heart. It is among the rarest types of mesothelioma which accounts for about 1% to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like all mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos lawsuit exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in a wide range of commercial and household items for decades. The toxic fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and they can get caught in the chest's lining and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a handful of instances. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it occurs in around 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In the majority of instances, an individual who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma. It is found in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the testes of males. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma if the symptoms are similar to those of other heart problems.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can affect the ability of breathing. These symptoms can include chest pain, difficulty breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition through an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient is suffering from this rare form of the disease and help them find the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases your risk.

Symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer that accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is most often seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their workplace or in the home of someone who was 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 adhere to the pericardial lining and begin to develop tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are the cause. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from another area 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 known as the mesothelium. It is the main site for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, however this is much less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as pericardial mesothelioma, can take decades to manifest after exposure to asbestos settlement. The symptoms are usually similar to other diseases and can include chest pain, difficulties breathing and weight loss, fatigue, and a persistent cough. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma can cause clubbing of the fingers the condition where the fingertips swell and appear rounder than usual.

Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they will also collect an x-ray or a sample of tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition, and a lot of doctors are not aware of the signs. It is important for patients to disclose all of their symptoms to their doctor in order to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other ailments. The taking of our Symptom Checklist with you prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and is able to correctly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can be similar to other heart ailments and may not manifest until the disease is advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the link hard to recognize. Anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The reason for pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue there. In time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells that develop into tumors. As a result of tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are generally carried out by doctors first to look for any tumors or excessive fluids. Then, they conduct blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spreading of cancerous cells.

Patients with mesothelioma must be ready to discuss their history of work with their doctor. asbestos attorney workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of asbestos case exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help 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 can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim now by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will guide you through the entire procedure. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.

Treatment

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

It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. It is vital that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms seek out a physician as soon as possible because of the long time of latency. It is also important to be candid about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial Mesothelioma (PM), one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma is responsible for less than 1percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart conditions and signs.

A doctor will first look over the patient and observe their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and to identify 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 has become thicker.

If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure doctors take small pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further analysis.

A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatments are more limited than for other types. However, there are some new treatment options being studied that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to strengthen the immune system of the patient to fight cancer.