Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other ailments.

The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to make a correct diagnosis is to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, also known as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about 1% to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Like all mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.

asbestos settlement is a type of naturally found mineral that was used in a wide range of household and commercial products for a long time. Its fibers can be easily swallowed, inhaled or trapped in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils irritate and form tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos legal exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of instances. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to this cancer in the pericardium, however they know that it happens in about 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In the majority of cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they may also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the male testes. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma in the event that the symptoms are similar to other heart diseases.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can impact the ability of breathing. The symptoms may include chest pain, trouble breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart, referred to 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 can determine if a patient is suffering from this rare type of disease and assist them in finding the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. People who have mesothelioma-related family history have an increased risk of developing it as well.

Symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer which is responsible for less than one percent of mesothelioma that is malignant, is primarily found in people who were 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 can occur when asbestos particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to develop tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos legal particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from a different part of the body like the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining inside the heart.

The mesothelium is a lining that covers the abdomen and chest. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease may also begin in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, though this is far less common.

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

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium based on the patient's medical history. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to check 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 very rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma or other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and is able to properly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. Symptoms often mimic more common heart diseases and may not appear until the disease has progressed significantly. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before pericardial mesothelioma appears, making the connection difficult to detect. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The exact cause of mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissues there. Over time the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells which develop into tumors. Because of tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to identify any tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos attorney and recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no cost unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the various laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our online claim form or call us to begin. We will help you through the whole procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

In order to properly diagnose pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then employ various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.

It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. Due to this long time between latency, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to see an expert doctor right away. It is also important to be candid about their previous exposure to asbestos case so they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is the reason for only 1percent of mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions and symptoms.

The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted 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 look for tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely order an echocardiogram to check how well the heart is functioning and to see if there is any thickening of the lining.

If the doctor is able to determine that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. In a biopsy procedure, doctors remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to the laboratory for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a more limited range of treatments than other types of cancer, a large percentage of victims will not survive the disease. New treatment options are being investigated that could improve the outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient in order to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option that aims to boost a patient's immunity to fight cancer.