Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, which is a tissue that surrounds the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other health conditions.
The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best method to obtain a correct diagnosis is to share their history of asbestos exposure with their physician.
What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that grows in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. This is a rare form of mesothelioma, which is responsible for 1 to 2 % of all cases. Similar to mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally found mineral that was used in a wide range of household and commercial products for many years. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled and they can get caught in the lining of the chest 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 identified a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a handful of cases. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it happens in around quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.
In the majority of instances, an individual exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma in the testes of males. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it may be difficult to identify because symptoms can be similar to those of other heart ailments.
The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impact the ability to breathe. The symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart called pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by running an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart, or a pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist will determine whether a patient has this rare type of disease and help them find the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics, an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. People with mesothelioma-related family history have an increased risk of developing it as well.
Signs and symptoms
Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases it is mostly discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by various symptoms that are difficult to recognize.
Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors aren't sure the causes of pericardial cancer, but they believe that asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from an area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.
The chest and abdomen are both called the mesothelium, which is the primary location for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However, this is much less common.
Symptoms of mesothelioma, including pericardial mesothelioma can take a long time to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other conditions and can include chest pain, trouble breathing as well as weight loss, fatigue, and a persistent cough. In certain cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, which is an illness in which fingers get swollen and look rounder than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on the patient's medical background. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to check the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause, they will also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. It is crucial for patients to disclose all of their symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and can accurately determine if you are suffering from.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart diseases and may not appear until the condition has advanced 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 their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
The reason for pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue there. As time passes, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are usually carried out by doctors first to look for any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of cancerous cells expanding.
Patients with mesothelioma should also be prepared to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos lawyer and has recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help you determine your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we can obtain compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the various laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our online claim form or call us to get started. We will help you through the whole procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.
Treatment
To properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then perform a series of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms and determine if there is fluid buildup in the pericardium.
It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos (http://gnoffice.co.kr/bbs/Board.Php?bo_table=free&wr_id=125575) fibers to reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is crucial that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms see a doctor promptly because of the long latency period. They should also be open about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they are able to receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is among the mesothelioma forms that are rare and is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it can mimic other heart conditions or symptoms.
The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by an experienced physician who listens to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor can also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to identify any areas of swelling, and also check for tumors. 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.
Once the doctor has determined that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. During a biopsy doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to the laboratory for further testing.
A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatment options are more limited than for other kinds. However, there are some new treatments being developed that may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to strengthen a patient's immune system to fight cancer.