Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma which occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma generally causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that can be similar to other health conditions.

The symptoms can take a long time to manifest following exposure to asbestos and can be difficult to diagnose. Patients should share their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to ensure a reliable diagnosis.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the thin membrane lining the heart. This is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma, making up about 1% to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos lawsuit exposure.

asbestos lawyer is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in a variety of commercial and household products for many years. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or trapped in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that get irritated and develop into tumors that spread to other parts of the body.

Doctors have only discovered a link between exposure to asbestos settlement and pericardial mesothelioma in just a small number of cases. Although they do not know the exact mechanism that causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to develop, they do know that approximately one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is partly because it usually occurs decades after exposure to asbestos.

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

Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to develop gradually and impact breathing. The symptoms 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 scan of the heart, or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can help 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 a family history of mesothelioma have a higher risk as well.

Symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, 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% of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is found most often in people exposed to asbestos at work or within close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have various symptoms that can be difficult to recognize.

Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors that thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is what causes mesothelioma of the pericardium, but doctors know little about how it develops. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from another area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then it spread to the lining of the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. This is the primary location for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also begin in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles though this is far less frequent.

After asbestos exposure, symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to show up. These symptoms are often similar to other diseases and may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, weight loss, fatigue, and an ongoing cough. In certain cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, an illness in which fingers get swollen and appear more rounded than normal.

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

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

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms often mimic more common heart disorders and may not show up until the disease has progressed substantially. Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed which makes it difficult to identify the connection. Nonetheless, anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should share their exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

Doctors don't know the reason for pericardial msothelioma. However, they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lung into the pericardium to cause irritation to tissue. Over time the tissues that are irritated transform into cancerous cells that grow into tumors. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results puts stress on the organ and results in symptoms.

Typically, doctors perform imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to spot any tumors or excess fluids. Then they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.

Patients with mesothelioma must be ready to discuss their work history with their physician. asbestos workers face a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. People who have a history of exposure to asbestos may be eligible for compensation in a mesothelioma suit.

A lawyer who has experience in asbestos litigation will help you understand the legal options available to you if you or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos lawyer and has developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we can recover compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in Asbestos legal, www.instapaper.com,-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws affecting asbestos victims and will assist you in receiving the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our online claim form or call us to get started. We will guide you through the entire process from start to the end. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

Doctors should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure in order to identify pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then employ different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. It is essential that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms see a doctor as soon as possible because of the long time of latency. They should also be open about any previous exposure to asbestos so they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest types of mesothelioma is responsible for less than one percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions or symptoms.

A doctor will first assess the patient and observe their breathing and heartbeat. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to identify any areas of swelling, and also check for a tumor. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will require an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's functioning and to determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened.

After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or a fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy, doctors remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to a laboratory for further testing.

Because pericardial mesothelioma has an enumeration of treatment options than other types of cancer, a large percentage of sufferers will not recover from the disease. However, there are some new treatment options being studied that could offer better outcomes for patients. One such approach is gene therapy, which involves the addition or removal of genes from a person's body in order to fight diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training a patient's immunity to fight cancer.