Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, which is a part of the lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other health conditions.

These symptoms may take years to develop after exposure to asbestos which makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of exposure to asbestos with their physician.

What causes mesothelioma pericardial?

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart, known as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma, which accounts for 1% to 2 % of all cases. Similar to mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in a wide range of commercial and household products for decades. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and they can end up 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.

Doctors have only discovered an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of cases. While they don't know how asbestos causes this cancer of the pericardium to grow but they do know that approximately a quarter all mesothelioma patients are affected. This is partly because it usually occurs decades after asbestos exposure.

The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. The cancer develops in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the testes of males. It can be difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma when the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.

The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to come on gradually and affect breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition can be diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can determine if a patient is suffering from this rare form of the disease and help them find the most effective treatment. Other factors, including genetics, an weakened immune system, and exposure to radiation could increase the risk of mesothelioma lawsuit pericardial. A family history of the disease increases your risk.

Symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma is also caused by asbestos fibers reaching the heart's tissue. This rare type of cancer, which makes up less than one percent of mesothelioma that is malignant, is most commonly found in people who have been exposed to asbestos at work or within close proximity to someone who has been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have many symptoms that can be difficult to recognize.

Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from another area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.

The abdomen and chest are called the mesothelium, which is the primary location for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease may also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles though this is far less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as mesothelioma pericardial may take years to show up after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, an illness in which the fingers swell up and appear more rounded than normal.

Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will ask the patient about previous asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests like x rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to evaluate the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis, they will also take a sample of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition, and many doctors do not recognize the signs. Patients should report any symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and is able to accurately diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart diseases and may not be apparent until the condition has advanced substantially. Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial msothelioma can be diagnosed and it is difficult to detect the link. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should consult their physician about any signs 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 lung into the pericardium to irritate tissue. Over time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Because of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to spot any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be ready to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma attorneys and lung cancer. Patients with an asbestos-related history could be eligible for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help you understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. There is no fee unless we seek compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the various laws that affect asbestos sufferers and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will walk 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

To be able to accurately diagnose pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then utilize various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. Due to this long time period of latency, it's important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to talk to an expert doctor right away. They should also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos so they can receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest types of mesothelioma and accounts for only about 1percent of mesothelioma lawyer cases that are diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases and signs.

A doctor will first assess the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely order an echocardiogram to check how well the heart is functioning and to determine whether there is any lining that is thickening.

Once the doctor has determined 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. When they conduct a biopsy, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to the lab for further analysis.

Since pericardial mesothelioma offers an enumeration of treatment options than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the cancer. However, there are some new treatment options being studied that may provide better outcomes for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which entails the addition or removal of genes from a body in order to fight diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to build a patient's immune system to fight cancer.