Pericardial Mesothelioma and asbestos attorney Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is an uncommon form of mesothelioma, which is found in the heart's lining (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may be similar to other conditions.

These symptoms can take years to develop following asbestos exposure which makes a diagnosis difficult. The best method to obtain a correct diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about one-third to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Like mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos case exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in many common commercial and household items for many years. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed or trapped in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that become irritated and form tumors that then spread throughout the body.

Doctors have only found a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a few cases. They are still unable to fully understand how asbestos leads to this cancer in the pericardium. However, they do know that it occurs in a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.

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

The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impair the ability of breathing. The symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition through an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient has the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. People with mesothelioma in their family have an increased risk, too.

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer which is responsible for less than 1 % of all malignant mesothelioma cases is most often found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and mimic other conditions and make it difficult to determine the cause.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors aren't sure the causes of pericardial cancer, but they believe that asbestos particles are the cause. Most doctors believe that the cancer spreads from another area of the body such as the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining in the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium. This is the primary location for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also develop in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However it is not as common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma such as mesothelioma of the pericardial region, can take decades to surface after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses such as chest pain, difficulty in breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In some cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, an illness where the fingers swell up and look more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis they will also collect samples of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and many doctors do not recognize the signs. It is essential for patients to report all of their symptoms to their doctor so that they can be examined for mesothelioma as well as other ailments. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and can accurately determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to identify. The symptoms may be similar to other heart diseases and may not show up until the disease has advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the link hard to identify. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The reason for mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue there. In time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. As a result of tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to detect extra fluids or tumors. They then run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are spreading.

Patients with mesothelioma must be ready to discuss their work history with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we can recover compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the various laws that affect 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'll guide you through the entire process from start to the point of completion. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

To be able to accurately determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then use a series of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the symptoms and determine if there is fluid buildup in the pericardium.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is vital that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms see a doctor as soon as possible due to the lengthy delay. They should also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they are able to receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest forms of mesothelioma and accounts for only about one percent of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is mainly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases or signs.

A doctor will first assess the patient and listen to their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to look for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely request an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart is working and to see if there is any thickening of the lining.

If the doctor is able to determine that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing.

Many victims of pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatment options are more limited than for other types. However, there are new treatments being developed that may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient in order to combat certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to strengthen a patient's immune system to fight the cancer.