9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

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

These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos exposure which makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their doctor.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, known as the pericardium. This is a rare form of mesothelioma that accounts for 1% to 2 % of all cases. Like mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in a wide range of commercial and household products for many years. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and they can end up in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only identified a link between asbestos settlement exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of cases. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to this cancer in the pericardium, but they do know that it occurs in around quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In most cases, a person exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they may also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the testes of males. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often resemble those of other heart conditions.

The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can impact the ability of breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart called pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition through an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart, or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient is suffering from this rare form of the disease and help them find the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics, an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Those who have a family history of mesothelioma have a higher risk, too.

Signs and symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is most often found in people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by various symptoms that are difficult to diagnose.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know the causes of pericardial cancer, but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from an area of the body, such as the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are called the mesothelium, which is the main site for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, however this is much less frequent.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as pericardial mesothelioma can take a long time to show up after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses, and include chest pain, trouble breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In some instances the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing. This is an illness where fingers get swollen and look more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium by looking at the patient's medical history. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To complete the diagnosis they will also collect a sample of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors are unable to recognize the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. Taking our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and is able to correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms often mirror more common heart disorders and may not appear until the disease has progressed in a significant way. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before pericardial mesothelioma appears, making the link hard to recognize. Anyone with a history of asbestos lawyer should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The reason for mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos 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, which then grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. As a result of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are typically performed first by doctors to identify 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 the cancerous cells.

Patients with mesothelioma should also be ready to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer experienced in asbestos claim litigation can help you determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we are able to obtain 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 knowledgeable of the many laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or contact us for assistance. We will guide you through the entire process from beginning to the point of completion. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

In order to properly identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then perform a series of tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the symptoms and determine if there's fluid accumulation in the pericardium.

It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is crucial that anyone suffering from mesothelioma seek out a physician as soon as possible because of the long time of latency. It is also important to be candid about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, accounts for less than one percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart diseases or signs.

A doctor will first look over the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest to detect tumors and areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely request an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart is working and to determine if there is any thickening of the lining.

If the doctor is able to determine that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it's malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will take tiny pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab to be tested further.

Many patients suffering from pericardial Sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatment options are less than for other kinds. However, there are some new treatment methods being explored that may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or removing certain genes from the body of a patient in order to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to build the immune system of the patient to fight the cancer.