9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, which is a tissue that surrounds the heart. This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms such as fatigue or chest pain that may mimic other ailments.

The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure which makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What causes pericardial mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the thin membrane lining the heart. This is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, making up about one-third to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Similar to other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in many common commercial and household items for a long time. Its toxic fibers are easily swallowed or inhaled and can be caught in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils are irritated, and they form tumors that spread to other parts of the body.

Doctors have only identified a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a few instances. They are still unable to fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it occurs in quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In most instances, a person exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. If they are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it can be difficult to identify because symptoms are often similar to the symptoms of other heart diseases.

The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may impact your ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a swell of fluid around the heart known as pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Patients who have a family history of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of developing it as well.

Signs and symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and can mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult.

Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos settlement particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos claim particles are the cause. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from an area of the body, such as the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are called the mesothelium, which is the primary location for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease can also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, though this is far less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as pericardial mesothelioma, can take decades to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases that cause chest pain, trouble breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma may cause a swollen finger, a condition in which the fingers swell and appear more round than normal.

Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. 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. To confirm the diagnosis they'll also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a rare condition that isn't acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can lead to serious symptoms. It is crucial for patients to report all symptoms to their doctor so that they can be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and can correctly determine if you are suffering from.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult. The symptoms often mirror other heart conditions that are more common and may not be apparent until the condition has advanced significantly. Moreover, asbestos exposure can happen decades before the onset of pericardial cancer, making the link hard to recognize. Anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos legal exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The exact cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue there. In time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and expand the pericardium. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results causes pressure on the organ and causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are generally done by doctors first to identify any signs of tumors or excess fluids. They then run tests in the blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of cancerous cells expanding.

Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their work medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos law litigation can help you determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we can get 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 well-versed in the various laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get 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 help you through the whole procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.

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 conduct various tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the signs and determine if there is fluid accumulation in the pericardium.

It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. Because of this lengthy latency period, it is crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to see a doctor immediately. It is also important to be candid about their past exposure to asbestos so they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest types of mesothelioma and accounts for only about 1% of all mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions and signs.

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

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

Since pericardial mesothelioma is a smaller range of treatment options than other types, many victims will not survive the cancer. However, there are some new treatments being developed that may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims to build a patient's immunity to fight cancer.