Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma usually results in symptoms such as chest discomfort or fatigue, which can mimic other health conditions.
These symptoms can take years to develop after exposure to asbestos which makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to ensure a correct diagnosis.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that lines the heart, known as the pericardium. This is a rare type of mesothelioma which can be found in 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma, pericardial is associated with asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was extensively used in a myriad of household and commercial products. Its toxic fibers are easily inhaled or swallowed, and they can end up in the chest's lining and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.
Doctors have only found an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a handful of cases. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, however they do know that it occurs in quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after asbestos exposure.
In the majority of instances, an individual exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma that is found male testes. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart conditions.
omaha asbestos attorney of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear slowly and can affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and determine the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics as well as an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. Those who have a family history of mesothelioma are at a higher risk, too.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma also occurs by asbestos fibers affecting the tissue surrounding the heart. This rare form of the cancer that accounts for less than 1 % of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by a variety of symptoms that are difficult to recognize.
As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to expand and thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the process by which pericardial cancer develops however, they believe asbestos particles are the cause. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from another area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then it spread to the lining of the heart.
The chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium. This is the primary site for the majority of mesothelioma tumors grow. The disease may also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, though this is far less frequent.
Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial, can take decades to show up after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases that cause chest pain, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, an illness where the fingers swell up and appear more rounded than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium based on the patient's medical history. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They may also take a fluid or tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare condition that is not recognized by many doctors, can cause serious symptoms. It is important for patients to disclose all their symptoms to their doctor so that they can be examined for mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and will be able to correctly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to identify. Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart diseases and may not show up until the disease has progressed significantly. Asbestos exposure can happen decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed which makes it difficult to detect the link. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.
Doctors don't know the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma. However, they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lungs into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. In time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart due to the tumors, and the resulting pressure causes pressure on the organ and leads to symptoms.
Typically, doctors perform imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to identify any extra fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and 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 workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with an asbestos-related past could be eligible for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
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 understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. No fees are charged unless we are able to recover compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the laws that affect asbestos victims and will help you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our claim online form or call us to begin. We will guide you through the whole process. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.
Treatment
To be able to accurately identify pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then utilize various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.
Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining inside the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. Due to this long time between latency, it is important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to see an expert doctor right away. They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos in order to receive the best treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and accounts for only about 1% of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is due to the difficulty of identifying this condition because it can be a symptom of other heart diseases and symptoms.
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 in order to look for tumors and areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely order an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart functions and to determine whether there is any lining thickening.
Once the doctor has concluded that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. During a biopsy doctors take small pieces of tissue or fluid and send them to the lab for further testing.
Since pericardial mesothelioma is a more limited range of treatment options than other types, a majority of sufferers will not recover from the disease. New treatment options are being researched to improve the outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or removing certain genes from the body of a patient to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims at training a patient's immunity to fight cancer.