Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, a tissue that surrounds the heart. This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as chest pain and fatigue that can mimic other conditions.

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

What causes mesothelioma pericardial?

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 which accounts for about 1 to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

asbestos (fitch-andersson.technetbloggers.de official website) is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in many common commercial and household items for decades. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed, or caught in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils get irritated and develop into tumors that spread to other parts of the body.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos attorney exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of cases. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, however they do know that it occurs in quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In the majority of instances, an individual who is exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma that is found in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. There is also the possibility of developing testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma if the symptoms are similar to those of other heart diseases.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may impair your ability to breathe. These symptoms can include chest pain, trouble breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by running an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart, or the pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can determine if a patient is suffering from this rare form of the disease and guide them to the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Those who have a family history of mesothelioma are at a higher risk as well.

Symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is most often discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or by living with someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and can mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to develop tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, but they believe that asbestos particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, like the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. This is the main site for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also develop in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However this is less common.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial, can take decades to show up after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, trouble breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In some instances, pericardial mesothelioma may cause clubbing of the fingers the condition where the fingers swell and appear more round than normal.

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

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma or other diseases. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and accurately determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. Symptoms often mimic more common heart diseases and may not appear until the condition has advanced substantially. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the link hard to identify. However, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos claim exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos law fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. Over time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. As a result of tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are generally performed first by doctors to detect any tumors or excessive fluids. Then, they conduct tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spreading of cancerous cells.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we are able to obtain compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the various laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our online claim form or call us to get started. We will guide you through the whole process. 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 need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then conduct a series of tests, such as Xrays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms and determine if there's fluid accumulation in the pericardium.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to form. It is crucial that anyone suffering from mesothelioma consult a doctor promptly because of the long time of latency. They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos lawyer so they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the mesothelioma forms that are rare and accounts for only about one percent of all mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of identifying this condition because it can mimic other heart diseases and symptoms.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by a physician who will listen to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor can also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to detect tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely require an echocardiogram in order to observe how well the heart is working and to see whether there is any thickening of the lining.

If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or a fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will take tiny pieces of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma offers an enumeration of treatment options than other types, many patients will not be able to recover from the disease. However, there are some new treatment methods being explored which could provide better results for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which involves adding or removing genes from the body of a person to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims at training an individual's immunity to fight cancer.