Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a tissue that surrounds the heart. This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms like chest pain and fatigue that may mimic other ailments.
The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure which makes a diagnosis difficult. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is to share their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor.
What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is a rare type of mesothelioma, which is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of all cases. Like all other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally found mineral that was used in a wide range of household and commercial products for many years. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and they can get caught in the chest's lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.
Doctors have only identified a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a small number of instances. They still do not fully understand how
asbestos settlement leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in around quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.
In most instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma, which is found in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal melanoma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma in the testes of males. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it is difficult to diagnose because symptoms often resemble those of other heart ailments.
The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impair your ability to breathe. These symptoms can include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and find the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases your risk.
Signs and symptoms
Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer which is responsible for less than one percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is most often found in people who were exposed to
asbestos compensation in their workplace or living with those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by a variety of symptoms that are difficult to diagnose.
Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to develop tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors aren't sure the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from another part of the body like the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is the lining of both the abdomen and chest. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumours develop. The disease can also begin in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However, this is much less common.
The symptoms of mesothelioma such as mesothelioma pericardial can take a long time to surface after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are often similar to other diseases and can include chest pain, trouble breathing, fatigue, weight loss and a persistent cough. In certain cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, a condition where the fingers swell up and appear more rounded than normal.
Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to check the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis they'll also take a sample of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a rare condition that isn't recognized by many doctors, can trigger serious symptoms. It is essential that patients report all symptoms to their doctor so that they can be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. Taking 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 correctly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify. Symptoms often mimic other heart conditions that are more common and may not show up until the disease has progressed significantly. Moreover,
asbestos attorney 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 exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
The exact cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. As time passes the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors. As a result of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are usually performed first by doctors to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run blood tests to confirm mesothelioma's presence and determine the extent of cancerous cells expanding.
Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their work history with a physician. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma lawsuits.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can help you determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we are able to recover compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the various laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our claim online form or call us to get started. We will walk you through the entire process from start to the point of completion. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.
Treatment
To be able to accurately determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then utilize a variety of tests including X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms.
It could take up to 60 years for
asbestos fibers reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. It is vital that anyone suffering from mesothelioma seek out a physician immediately due to the lengthy delay. It is also important to be candid about their past exposure to asbestos so that they can receive the most effective treatment possible.
Pericardial Mesothelioma (PM), one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases or symptoms.
A doctor will first assess the patient and observe 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 find fluid in the pericardium, they will require an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's function and determine if the lining has thickened.
After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to the lab for further analysis.
A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatment options are more limited than for other kinds. New treatment methods are being studied to provide better outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which is the process of the addition or removal of genes from the body of a person to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, which aims to build the body's immune system to fight cancer.