Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a part of the lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma usually causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may be similar to other health conditions.
These symptoms can take years to manifest following exposure to asbestos, making a diagnosis challenging. Patients should share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to ensure a correct diagnosis.
What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. hemet asbestos attorneys is a rare type of mesothelioma which can be found in 1% to 2 % of all cases. Like all types of mesothelioma pericardial is also linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was extensively used in a variety of household and commercial products. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.
Only a few doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They still do not fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to this cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly because it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos.
In the majority of cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma, which is found in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the testes of males. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it may be difficult to identify because symptoms often resemble those of other heart ailments.
The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to develop gradually and can affect your ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a swell of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by performing an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart, or a pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. Other factors, like genetics, a weak immune system, and exposure to radiation can increase the risk of pericardial msothelioma. People who have a family history of mesothelioma have an increased risk, too.
Signs and symptoms
Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 % of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors which thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is what causes mesothelioma pericardial, although doctors aren't sure how it develops. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from an area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is a lining that covers both the chest and abdomen. This is where most mesothelioma tumours develop. The disease may also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, however this is much less frequent.
Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial can take a long time to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are often similar to other diseases and can include chest pain, difficulties breathing and weight loss, fatigue and a persistent cough. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma can cause clubbing of the fingers, a condition in which the fingertips swell and appear rounder than usual.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on a patient's medical history. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They may also take samples of tissue or fluid to confirm the diagnosis.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma or other diseases. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of your symptoms and can accurately diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to identify. The symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions and may not be apparent until the disease has advanced. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur years before pericardial mesothelioma appears, making the link hard to recognize. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should speak to their doctor about any symptoms that may be related to asbestos.
The exact cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known However, doctors believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissue that is there. In time, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells, which then transform into tumors. Because of tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure causes 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 as well as determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma patients should be prepared to discuss their employment history with a doctor. asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos related illnesses, like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have an asbestos-related past may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma litigation.
A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help you understand the legal options available to you if you or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation. No fee is charged unless we are able to get compensation for you.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the numerous laws that affect asbestos sufferers and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will guide you through the entire process from beginning to finish. 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
In order to properly identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then conduct various tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the signs and determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.
Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, where they cause cancerous cells. Because of this long time between latency, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to talk to a doctor immediately. They should also be open about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest types of mesothelioma, accounts for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can mimic other heart diseases and signs.
The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor can also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest to detect tumors and find areas of swelling. If they detect fluid in the pericardium they will order an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and see whether the lining of the heart has thickened.
Once the doctor has concluded there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure doctors take small pieces of tissue or fluid and send them to the lab for further testing.
Because pericardial mesothelioma has a smaller range of treatment options than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the disease. New treatment options are being researched to improve the outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which involves adding or removing genes from the body of a person in order to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to build the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.