lawrence asbestos law firm and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, a lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms such as fatigue or chest pain that can mimic other conditions.
These symptoms may take years to manifest following exposure to asbestos, making a diagnosis challenging. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is for patients to share their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that surrounds the heart, also known as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma, which is responsible for 1 to 2 % of all cases. Like mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally has been used for a long time in a myriad of commercial and household items. Its toxic fibers are easily inhaled or swallowed, and can be caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils get irritated and develop into tumors that spread to other parts of the body.
Only a handful of doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They do not yet fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it happens in about a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos.
In most instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma that forms in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma in the male testes. It is sometimes difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma when the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.
The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to come on gradually and impact breathing. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a fluid accumulation around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist will determine if a patient is suffering from this rare form of disease and assist them in finding the best treatment. Other factors, like genetics, an weakened immune system, and radiation exposure can increase the risk for pericardial msothelioma. A family history of the disease increases your risk.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma is also caused by asbestos fibers affecting the tissue surrounding the heart. This uncommon form of cancer which is responsible for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is most often found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to identify.
When asbestos particles stick to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to grow and increase the thickness of the membrane. It is thought that this is what causes mesothelioma of the pericardium, but doctors aren't aware of how it develops. Most doctors believe that the cancer spreads from another area of the body, such as the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining of the heart.
The lining of the chest and abdomen are called the mesothelium, which is the primary site for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also begin in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However, this is much less common.
After exposure to asbestos, the symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to manifest. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses, and include chest pain, difficulty breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma can cause a swollen finger, a condition in which the fingers expand and appear rounder than usual.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on a patient's medical history. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis they will also collect a sample of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare condition that isn't recognized by many doctors, can trigger serious symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other ailments. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and can correctly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify. The symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions and may not show up until the disease has advanced. Asbestos exposure can happen years before pericardial msothelioma can be diagnosed which makes it difficult to determine the connection. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should consult their doctor about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.
Doctors don't know the exact cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lungs into the pericardium to cause irritation to tissue. As time passes, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells which develop into tumors. Due to tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are generally performed first by doctors to detect any tumors or excessive fluids. Then, they conduct tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.
Patients with mesothelioma must be prepared to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers are at a greater risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a past of exposure to asbestos could be eligible for compensation in a mesothelioma suit.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can assist you to know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. There is no charge unless we can recover 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 laws affecting asbestos victims and can assist you in receiving the benefits you are entitled to. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. 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
To be able to accurately diagnose pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then utilize different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.
It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is essential that anyone suffering from mesothelioma consult a doctor promptly due to the long delay. They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos so that they are able to receive the most effective treatment possible.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, accounts for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart conditions and symptoms.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical exam conducted by an experienced physician who listens to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor can also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest in order to detect any areas of swelling, and also check for tumors. If they find fluid in the pericardium, they will require an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's functioning and to determine if the lining has thickened.
If the doctor is able to determine that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it's malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send samples to a laboratory for further testing.
Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatments than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the cancer. New treatment methods are being studied to improve the outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or removing certain genes from the body of a patient in order to fight specific diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to train a patient's immune system to fight cancer.