10 Meetups About Mesothelioma And Asbestos You Should Attend

Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma, which is found in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms like fatigue or chest pain that may mimic other ailments.

It can take a long time for these symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. This makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to ensure a reliable diagnosis.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest mesothelioma types that account for 1 to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also associated with asbestos claim exposure.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral has been used for a long time in a wide range of commercial and household products. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or trapped in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils irritate and form tumors.

Doctors have only found a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a small number of instances. Although they aren't sure what causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to grow however, they do know that around one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after asbestos lawsuit exposure.

The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. This cancer is found in the lung's lining and chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma that is found male testes. It is sometimes difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma if the symptoms are similar to other heart diseases.

Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to develop gradually and affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a fluid accumulation around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by performing an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or the pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of the disease and determine the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics, an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. People with mesothelioma in their family are at a higher risk as well.

Signs and symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which makes up less than 1% of mesothelioma that is malignant is found most often in those who have been exposed to asbestos at work or in close proximity to someone who has been affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and can mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.

When asbestos particles stick to the pericardium's lining, they can cause tumors to expand and increase the thickness of the membrane. It is believed that this is what causes mesothelioma of the pericardium, but doctors know little about how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from a different part of the body like the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining in the heart.

The lining of the chest and abdomen are called the mesothelium, which is the main site for the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease may also begin in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles though this is far less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as pericardial mesothelioma, can take decades to surface after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other diseases and can include chest pain, difficulties breathing as well as weight loss, fatigue and a persistent cough. In some cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, an illness where the fingers swell up and look rounder than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium based on a patient's medical history. They will inquire with the patient about their previous asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests like radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to evaluate the pericardium. They may also take a fluid or tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and many doctors are not aware of the symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma or other ailments. The taking of our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to properly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose. The symptoms often mirror more common heart diseases and may not show up until the disease has progressed in a significant way. asbestos compensation exposure can happen years before pericardial msothelioma can be diagnosed which makes it difficult to detect the link. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should talk to their physician about any symptoms that may be related to asbestos.

Doctors do not know the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers which migrate from the lung to the pericardium and cause irritation to tissue. As time passes the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells that transform into tumors. As a result of tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are generally carried out by doctors first to identify any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their employment medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with an asbestos-related past could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can help understand your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we are able to obtain compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the laws that apply to asbestos victims and will assist you in obtaining the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our claim online form or call us to begin. We will walk you through the entire process from start to finish. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

Doctors should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure to diagnose pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then use a variety of tests including X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.

It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to grow. It is vital that anyone suffering from mesothelioma seek out a physician promptly due to the long time of latency. They should also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos attorney in order to receive the best treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the mesothelioma forms that are rare and accounts for only about 1percent of mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart diseases and signs.

A doctor will first look over the patient and observe their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to detect tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they detect fluid in the pericardium they will request an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and see if the lining has thickened.

Once the doctor has concluded that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab to be tested further.

Since pericardial mesothelioma offers an enumeration of treatment options than other types, many patients will not be able to recover from the disease. However, there are some new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or removing certain genes from the body of a patient in order to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, that aims to boost an individual's immunity to fight cancer.