Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may be similar to other health conditions.
It can take a long time for symptoms to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to make sure they get a proper diagnosis.
What causes mesothelioma of the pericardium?
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. It is among the rarest types of mesothelioma that account for 1% to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. As with all types of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also associated with asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral has been used for a long time in a myriad of commercial and household products. Its fibers can be easily swallowed, inhaled or trapped in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.
Doctors have only identified an association between asbestos 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, but they do know that it occurs in quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly because it typically occurs years after asbestos exposure.
In most instances, a person exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma that forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, las cruces asbestos lawsuit can also develop peritoneal melanoma, located in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the testes of males. If they are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms are often similar to those of other heart conditions.
The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to develop gradually and affect the ability to breathe. These symptoms can include chest pain, difficulty breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of this disease and determine the most effective treatment. Other factors, such as genetics, a weak immune system, and exposure to radiation, can increase the risk for mesothelioma of the pericardium. Patients who have a family history of mesothelioma have an increased risk as well.
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 1 percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant it is mostly found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with various symptoms that are difficult to identify.
As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium's lining they can cause tumors to grow and increase the thickness of the membrane. It is believed that this is the reason for 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 abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is a lining that covers both the chest and abdomen. This is where most mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease can also develop in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However this is less common.
The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as mesothelioma of the pericardial region may take years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses that cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In some cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, which is an illness in which fingers get swollen and look rounder than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium based on the patient's medical background. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They will also take samples of tissue or fluid to complete the diagnosis.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare condition that is not acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can cause serious symptoms. Patients should report all 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 accurately diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. Symptoms often mimic more common heart diseases and may not appear until the disease has progressed substantially. Asbestos exposure can happen decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed which makes it difficult to detect the link. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should share their exposure history with their doctors and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.
Doctors don't know the specific cause of the pericardial msothelioma. They believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lung to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results puts pressure on the organ and leads to symptoms.
Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors. Then they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their work history with their physician. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of exposure to asbestos may be qualified for compensation in a mesothelioma suit.
A lawyer who has experience in asbestos litigation will help you understand the legal options that are available to you if or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and has developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we are able to obtain compensation for you.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the numerous laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or contact us for assistance. We will guide you through the entire procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.
Treatment
In order to properly identify pericardial mesothelioma doctors must 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 grow. It is crucial that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms see a doctor immediately due to the long delay. It is also essential to be upfront about their prior exposure to asbestos to ensure they get the best treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is due to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart diseases and signs.
A physician will first examine the patient and listen to their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor can also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to detect tumors and areas of swelling. If they find fluid in the pericardium, they will order an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's function and see if the lining has thickened.
Once the doctor has concluded that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to the laboratory for further testing.
Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatments than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the disease. However, there are some new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which entails the addition or removal of genes from a body in order to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to build the immune system of a patient to fight cancer.