Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, a part of the lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other ailments.
These symptoms may take years to develop after exposure to asbestos, making a diagnosis challenging. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of exposure to asbestos with their physician.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is a rare form of mesothelioma that can be found in 1% to 2 percent of all cases. As with all types of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in many common commercial and household products for decades. Its fibers can be easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils are irritated, and they form tumors that then spread throughout the body.
Doctors have only identified a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma in just a few cases. Although they aren't sure what causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium, they do know that about one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is partly due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure.
The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural msothelioma. The cancer develops in the lung's lining as well as the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal melanoma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the testes of males. Youngstown asbestos lawyers is sometimes difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma in the event that the symptoms are similar to those of other heart diseases.
The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to progress slowly and may impact your ability to breathe. The symptoms may include chest pain, trouble breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or 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 may increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics and an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. People with mesothelioma-related family history have an increased risk as well.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers affecting the heart's tissue. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is most often found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with those who were affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and may be a sign of other diseases, making diagnosis difficult.
As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to develop and make the membrane thicker. It is believed that this is what causes pericardial mesothelioma, though doctors know little about how it develops. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from an area of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then it spread to the lining of the heart.
The abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. This is the main site for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, however this is much less frequent.
Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma of the pericardial region can take a long time to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are typically similar to other illnesses and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing as well as weight loss, fatigue, and a persistent cough. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma could cause clubbing of the fingers, a condition in which the fingertips swell and appear more round than normal.
Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will ask the patient about their previous asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests such as radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to examine the pericardium. They will also collect a fluid or tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare condition that isn't recognized by many doctors, can trigger serious symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma or other conditions. The taking of our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and can properly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. Its symptoms are often akin to other heart conditions that are more common and may not be apparent until the disease has progressed significantly. Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed and it is difficult to identify the connection. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should speak to their physician about any signs that may be related to asbestos.
Doctors don't know the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers which migrate from the lung into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. Over time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells that grow into tumors. The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart due to the tumors and the resulting pressure puts pressure on the organ and leads to symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are usually performed first by doctors to detect any tumors or excessive fluids. Then they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma patients should be prepared to discuss their occupational history with a physician. Asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had an asbestos-related past may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma litigation.
A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation will help you understand the legal options that are available to you if or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we collect compensation on your behalf.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws that affect asbestos victims, and can help you receive the benefits you deserve. Start your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will guide you through the entire process from start to the end. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.
Treatment
Doctors should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure to identify pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then conduct a series of tests, such as Xrays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the signs and determine if there is fluid accumulation in the pericardium.
Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells. It is vital that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms seek out a physician immediately due to the lengthy delay. They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos so they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment possible.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and is the reason for only 1percent of mesothelioma cases identified. This is due to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it can mimic other heart diseases and symptoms.
The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination by an expert physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to identify any areas of swelling, and also check for any tumors. If they find fluid in the pericardium, they will order an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and see whether the lining of the heart has thickened.
If the doctor is able to determine that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further analysis.
A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis are not able to survive due to the fact that the treatment options are less than for other kinds. New treatment options are being studied 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. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to build the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.