Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally results in symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.

It can take a long time for symptoms to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult to determine the cause. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to ensure a reliable diagnosis.

What causes mesothelioma of the pericardium?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin membrane lining the heart. This is a rare type of mesothelioma that accounts for 1% to 2 % of all cases. Like all other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma lawyers is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was extensively used in a myriad of household and commercial products. Its toxic fibers are easily swallowed or inhaled, and can be caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only discovered an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a handful of instances. Although they aren't sure the exact mechanism that causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to develop however, they do know that about one quarter of mesothelioma attorneys patients are affected. This is in part because it typically occurs decades after asbestos exposure.

In most cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma that is found in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma when the symptoms are similar to other heart diseases.

The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to develop gradually and impact the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart called pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can determine whether a patient has this rare type of disease and guide them to the best treatment. Other factors, such as genetics, an weakened immune system, and exposure to radiation, can increase the risk of mesothelioma pericardial. Patients who have a family history of mesothelioma have an increased risk, too.

Symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than 1% of mesothelioma that is malignant is typically found in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or in close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and may be a sign of other diseases which makes it difficult to diagnose.

As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium's lining, they can cause tumors to grow and thicken the membrane. It is believed that this is the reason for mesothelioma pericardial, although doctors aren't aware of how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from another part of the body like the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining of the heart.

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

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as mesothelioma of the pericardial region may take years to surface after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are often similar to other illnesses and may include chest pain, trouble breathing as well as weight loss, fatigue and an ongoing cough. In certain cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing. This is a condition where fingers become swollen and appear more rounded than normal.

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

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition, and many doctors are unable to recognize the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma or other conditions. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to correctly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. Symptoms often mimic other heart conditions that are more common and may not show up until the disease has progressed substantially. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur decades before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to recognize. Anyone with a history of asbestos should discuss their exposure with their doctor and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.

Doctors don't know the reason for pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers which migrate from the lungs into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. Over time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells which transform into tumors. Because of tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are usually carried out by doctors first to detect any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.

Patients with mesothelioma should also be prepared to discuss their work history with their physician. Asbestos workers are at greater risk of developing asbestos related illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had an asbestos-related past may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation will help you understand the legal options available to you if you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no fee unless we seek compensation on your behalf.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws affecting asbestos victims and will help you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our online claim form or call us to begin. We will guide you through the entire process from start to the end. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.

Treatment

Doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure to identify pericardial a mesothelioma lawyer. They can then conduct a series of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs and determine if there's fluid buildup in the pericardium.

Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining inside the heart, where they cause cancerous cells. It is essential that anyone suffering from mesothelioma see a doctor immediately due to the long latency period. It is also essential to be upfront about their past exposure to asbestos in order to receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest types of mesothelioma and is the reason for only one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart diseases and symptoms.

A doctor will first look over the patient and observe their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor might also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to detect tumors and find areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium, they will order an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's functioning and to determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened.

Once the doctor has concluded that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will take small amounts of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatment options than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the cancer. However, there are new treatment methods being explored 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 to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to strengthen the immune system of the patient to fight the cancer.