charleston asbestos attorney and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a part of the lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other conditions.
These symptoms can take years to develop after exposure to asbestos, making a diagnosis challenging. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to ensure a reliable diagnosis.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that grows in the thin membrane lining the heart. It is among the rarest mesothelioma types which accounts for about 1 to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma, pericardial is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in many common household and commercial products for many years. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed, or caught in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops 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 cases. They are still unable to know exactly how asbestos contributes to this type of cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it occurs in about quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it usually occurs years after asbestos exposure.
In the majority of instances, an individual exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs and forms a 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 diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it may be difficult to identify because symptoms can be similar to those of other heart conditions.
The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to appear slowly and can affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a fluid accumulation 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 specialist can help determine if a patient has the rare form of the disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases the risk.
Symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers affecting the heart's tissue. This uncommon form of cancer that accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or by living with someone who was affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and can mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.
When asbestos particles adhere to the pericardium's lining, they can cause tumors to grow and thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is what causes mesothelioma of the pericardium, but doctors aren't sure how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, like the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is a lining that covers the abdomen and chest. This is where most mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease can also begin in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However this is less common.
After exposure to asbestos, the symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to show up. These symptoms are often similar to other illnesses and can include chest pain, trouble breathing, weight loss, fatigue and a constant cough. In certain cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, which is an illness in which fingers become swollen and look rounder than normal.
Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They may also take a fluid or tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma and other ailments. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to accurately determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions and may not show up until the disease has advanced. Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed, making it difficult to determine the connection. However, anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should share their exposure history with their doctors and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.
Doctors aren't sure of the exact cause of the pericardial msothelioma. They believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lungs into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. As time passes the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells that transform into tumors. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results puts stress on the organ, which causes symptoms.
Typically, doctors perform imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to detect tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of cancerous cells growing.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their work history with their doctor. Asbestos workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had an asbestos-related past may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma lawsuits.
A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help you understand the legal options available to you in the event that you or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we are able to recover compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the various laws that impact asbestos victims 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 whole procedure. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.
Treatment
Doctors should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure to identify pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then perform a variety of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs and determine if there is fluid buildup in the pericardium.
It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. Because of this lengthy time period of latency, it's essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to see a physician immediately. It is also important to be candid about their previous exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and accounts for only about 1percent of mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it can mimic other heart diseases or signs.
A doctor will first look over the patient and observe their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor can also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to find any areas of swelling, and also check for a tumor. If they discover 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.
If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy doctors take small pieces of tissue or fluid and send them to the laboratory for further testing.
Many patients suffering from pericardial Sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatments are more limited than for other kinds. However, there are new treatments being developed that may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or removing certain genes from the body of a patient in order to combat certain diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, that aims to boost an individual's immunity to fight cancer.