Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, a tissue that surrounds the heart. This kind of mesothelioma usually results in symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may be similar to other health conditions.

It can take years for these symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best method to obtain a correct diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that surrounds the heart, known as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma lawsuits which is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of all cases. Like all mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was extensively used in a variety of commercial and household items. The toxic fibers can be swallowed or inhaled and they can end up in the chest's lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only found a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma only in a few instances. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium, but they do know that it occurs in around a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs years after asbestos exposure.

In the majority of instances, a person exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma. It forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma that is found male testes. It can be difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma in the event that the symptoms are similar to other heart conditions.

Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma lawyers tend to appear gradually and impact the ability to breathe. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a fluid accumulation around the heart known as pericardial effusion. The condition can be diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist will determine if a patient is suffering from this rare form of the disease and help them find the best treatment. Other factors, like genetics, an weakened immune system, and exposure to radiation, can increase the risk for mesothelioma pericardial. A family history of the disease also increases the risk.

Signs and symptoms

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than 1% of mesothelioma that is malignant, is most commonly found in people exposed to asbestos in their work environment or in close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with a variety of symptoms that are difficult to diagnose.

As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium's lining they can cause tumors to expand and make the membrane thicker. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spreads from another area of the body, such as the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and then to the lining inside the heart.

The lining of the abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. This is the primary location for mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease can also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, but this is not as frequent.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial can take a long time to surface after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses such as chest pain, difficulty in breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In certain cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, which is a condition where the fingers swell up and look rounder than normal.

Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire with the patient about previous asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to look at the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis they'll also take an x-ray or a sample of tissue.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare condition that is not recognized by many doctors, can trigger serious symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma or other conditions. Taking our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and can properly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma lawyer is a difficult cancer to identify. Symptoms often mimic other heart conditions that are more common and may not be apparent until the condition has advanced substantially. Asbestos exposure can occur decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed which makes it difficult to detect the link. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should discuss their exposure with their doctor and inquire about any asbestos-related symptoms.

The reason for mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissue that is there. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and expand the pericardium. Because of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to identify any tumors or excess fluids. Then they run tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spread of cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma patients should be prepared to discuss their employment history with a physician. Asbestos workers are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits.

A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation can assist you in understanding the legal options available to you in the event that you or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and has developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fee is charged unless we can obtain compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the many laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or call us to begin. We will guide you through the whole procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.

Treatment

Doctors should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure in order to diagnose pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then conduct various tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms and determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.

Asbestos fibers can take as long as 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, where they cause cancerous cells. It is crucial that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms see a doctor immediately because of the long latency period. It is also important to be candid about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they are able to receive the most effective treatment.

Pericardial mesothelioma is among the mesothelioma forms that are rare and is the reason for only 1% of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is due in part to the difficulty in identifying this condition because it may be similar to other heart conditions and signs.

A doctor will first assess the patient and observe their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor may also request an MRI or CT scan of the chest to identify any areas of swelling and to check for a tumor. If they detect fluid in the pericardium, they will require an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's function and determine whether the lining has become thicker.

After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy to confirm their 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 lab for further testing.

A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatments are more limited than for other kinds. New treatment methods are being studied to improve the outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves introducing or removing certain genes from the body of a patient in order to combat certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to strengthen the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.