Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

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

These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos claim exposure with their physician.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that runs along the heart, known as the pericardium. It is among the rarest mesothelioma types which accounts for about one-third to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like all mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in a wide range of commercial and household products for a long time. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed, or trapped in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils get irritated and develop into tumors that spread to other parts of the body.

Doctors have only found a link between asbestos case exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a few cases. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in a quarter of all 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 cases, a person exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. They may also develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma that is found male testes. It is sometimes difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is when the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can affect the ability of breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by performing an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of this disease and determine the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could 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 enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer that accounts for less than 1 % of mesothelioma that is malignant, is primarily found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was impacted by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with a variety of symptoms that are difficult to identify.

Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles adhere to the pericardial lining and begin to develop tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the process by which pericardial cancer develops however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. This is the primary site for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. 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 a long time to surface after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In some cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing. This is a condition where fingers become swollen and look more round than normal.

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

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and many doctors do not recognize the symptoms. It is essential for patients to report all of their symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma and other ailments. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and can correctly determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions and may not be apparent until the disease is 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 exact cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissues there. As time passes the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells, which then transform into tumors. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results puts stress on the organ and leads to symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are usually done by doctors first to identify any signs of 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.

Patients with mesothelioma should also be prepared to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can help understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we can get 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 aware of the various laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim today by filling out our online form or calling us. We will help you through the entire process. Contact us at 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 need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then employ different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos lawyer fibers to penetrate the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. Due to this long time between latency, it is crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to consult a doctor immediately. They should also be open about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.

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

A physician will first examine the patient and observe their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor can also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and areas of swelling. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will likely require an echocardiogram in order to determine how the heart is functioning and to determine whether there is any lining thickening.

After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will take small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma is a more limited range of treatment options than other types, a majority of victims will not survive the disease. However, there are new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient in order to combat certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to strengthen the immune system of a patient to fight cancer.