9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma usually produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.

The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is to share their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor.

What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?

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

Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in many common household and commercial products for many years. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a few instances. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it occurs in around quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In most instances, an individual exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma. It forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. There is also the possibility of developing testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it can be difficult to identify because symptoms often resemble those of other heart ailments.

The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may impact the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart called pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of disease and help them find the best 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. A family history of the disease also increases the risk.

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer that accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma that is malignant it is mostly found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with various symptoms that can be difficult to recognize.

Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles stick to the lining of the pericardium and begin to develop tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors aren't sure the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from another part of the body such as the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and then to the lining inside the heart.

The lining of the abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. It is the primary site for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, however this is much less common.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial may take years to surface after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In some cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, an illness where the fingers swell up and appear more rounded than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on the patient's medical background. They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They will also take a fluid or tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and many doctors do not recognize the symptoms. It is important for patients to report all 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 ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and can correctly determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms often mirror other heart conditions that are more common and may not show up until the disease has progressed substantially. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to detect. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos attorney exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The exact cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium and irritate the tissue there. Over 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 puts stress on the organ and results in symptoms.

Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to spot any tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run tests of blood 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 doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma litigation.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help understand your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we can obtain compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the various laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will help you through the entire procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

In order to properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos law exposure history. They can then use a variety of tests including X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to form. Because of this lengthy time period of latency, it's important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to see a physician immediately. It is also important to be candid about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest mesothelioma types, accounts for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases or signs.

The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical examination by a physician who will listen to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest 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 functions and to see whether there is any lining that is thickening.

Once the doctor has determined that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will remove small amounts of fluid or tissue and send samples to a laboratory to be tested further.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has an enumeration of treatments than other types of cancer, a large percentage of victims will not survive the cancer. New treatment options are being studied to offer better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. 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 train the immune system of the patient to fight the cancer.