Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma attorney, which is found in the heart's lining (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other conditions.

It can take years for symptoms to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult to determine the cause. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to ensure a correct diagnosis.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the thin membrane lining the heart. It is a rare type of mesothelioma, which can be found in 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Similar to other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was extensively used in a myriad of commercial and household items. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and can be caught in the chest's lining and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.

Doctors have only discovered an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a small number of instances. They still do not know exactly how asbestos contributes to this cancer in the pericardium, but they do know that it occurs in about quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs years after exposure to asbestos.

In the majority of cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma, which forms 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 male testes. It can be difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart diseases.

The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to appear gradually and impact breathing. These symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a build-up of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient has the rare form of the disease and determine the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Patients with mesothelioma in their family have a higher risk, too.

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 is most often discovered in those 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.

Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles adhere to the lining of the pericardium and begin to grow into tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from another part of the body like the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining of the heart.

The lining of the abdomen and chest are called the mesothelium, which is the primary site for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease can also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles but this is not as common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as pericardial mesothelioma, 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 and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In certain cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing. This is a condition where the fingers swell up and appear more rounded than normal.

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 like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They may also take an x-ray or a tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, 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 or other diseases. The taking of our Symptom Checklist with you prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. The symptoms may be similar to other heart diseases and may not show up until the disease is advanced. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can happen decades before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to detect. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should consult their physician about any signs that could be due to asbestos.

Doctors aren't sure of the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma. However, they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers which migrate from the lung into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. As time passes, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells which grow into tumors. Due to tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to detect tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spread of cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their employment medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers have a high chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma lawyer. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma Lawsuit (Articlescad.Com).

A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation can help you understand the legal options available to you if you or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and has developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we are able to get compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the numerous laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our online claim form or call us to begin. We will guide you through the entire process from beginning to finish. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

In order to properly diagnose pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then perform a series of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the signs and determine if there is fluid buildup in the pericardium.

Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, causing cancerous cells. It is crucial that anyone suffering from mesothelioma see a doctor promptly because of the long latency period. They should also be open about their previous exposure to asbestos so they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the mesothelioma forms that are rare and is responsible for less than 1percent of mesothelioma cases identified. This is partly due to the difficulty of identifying this condition as it can mimic other heart conditions or signs.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor can also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to look for tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will require an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's functioning and to determine if the lining has thickened.

If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or a fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm their diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure doctors take small pieces of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatments than other types, a majority of patients will not be able to recover from the cancer. New treatment methods are being investigated that could offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient to combat certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, which aims at training the body's immune system to fight cancer.