Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other conditions.
It can take a long time for these symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. texas asbestos attorney makes a diagnosis difficult. The best method to obtain a correct diagnosis is to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their physician.
What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the thin membrane that lines the heart. This is a rare form of mesothelioma that can be found in 1% to 2 % of all cases. Like all types of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also associated with asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, was used for decades in a wide range of household and commercial products. Its toxic fibers are easily swallowed or inhaled and can be caught in the chest's lining and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.
Doctors have only found an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a few instances. They are still unable to know exactly how asbestos contributes to this type of cancer in the pericardium, however they do know that it occurs in around quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly because it usually occurs decades after asbestos exposure.
Most people who are exposed to asbestos develop pleural msothelioma. The cancer develops in the lung's lining and chest wall. There is also the possibility of developing testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. It can be difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma when the symptoms are similar to other heart diseases.
Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear slowly and can affect breathing. The symptoms may include chest pain, trouble breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. The condition can be diagnosed by a doctor using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient suffers from 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 and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. People with a family history of mesothelioma have an increased risk, too.
Signs and symptoms
As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer which is responsible 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 those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with various symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose.
Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors which thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is the reason for mesothelioma pericardial, although doctors aren't aware of how it develops. Most doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining in the heart.
The chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium. This is the primary site for the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease can also begin in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However this is less common.
The symptoms of mesothelioma such as pericardial mesothelioma, can take decades to show up after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are often similar to other conditions and can include chest pain, difficulties breathing, fatigue, weight loss and an ongoing cough. In some instances, pericardial mesothelioma could cause clubbing of the fingers this is a condition that causes the fingers expand and appear rounder than usual.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium based on the patient's medical history. They will ask the patient about previous asbestos exposure and perform imaging tests such as radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis, they will also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition, and a lot of doctors are not aware of the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma or 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 is able to correctly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to identify. The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not be apparent until the disease is advanced. Asbestos exposure can happen years before pericardial msothelioma can be diagnosed, making it difficult to identify the connection. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should share their exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
The cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known, but doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that travel from the lungs into the pericardium and irritate the tissue that is there. As time passes, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells, which then develop into tumors. Due to tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spreading of the cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their work medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure could be entitled to compensation in a mesothelioma suit.
A lawyer who has experience in asbestos litigation will help you understand the legal options that are available to you if or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we can get compensation for you.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the laws affecting asbestos victims, and can help you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our online claim form or call us to get started. We will help you through the whole process. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.
Treatment
Doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure in order to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then conduct a series of tests, such as Xrays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the signs and determine if there's an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.
It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is essential that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms see a doctor promptly because of the long time of latency. They must also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest types of mesothelioma is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions and symptoms.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination by an experienced physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest to detect tumors and to identify 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 has become thicker.
After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send samples to a laboratory for further testing.
A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis are not able to survive due to the fact that the treatment options are less than for other types. However, there are some new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from a body to fight specific diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to train the immune system of a patient to fight cancer.