Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma typically causes symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.
hillsboro asbestos attorney can take years for these symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. This makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to ensure a correct diagnosis.
What is the cause of mesothelioma pericardial?
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart, referred to as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma, which can be found in 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma pericardial is also connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was extensively used in a myriad of commercial and household products. The fibers are easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the tissues of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that get irritated and develop into tumors that eventually spread throughout the body.
Only a handful of doctors have discovered a link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium, however they know that it happens in about 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs years after exposure to asbestos.
Most people who are exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. The cancer develops in the lung's lining and chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal mesothelioma located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma in the testes of males. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma when the symptoms are similar to other heart diseases.
The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to come on gradually and impact the ability to breathe. These symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a fluid accumulation around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition through an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart, or an pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of the disease and help them find the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics, an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. People with a family history of mesothelioma are at a higher risk as well.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma also occurs by asbestos fibers affecting the heart's tissue. This rare type of cancer, which makes up less than 1% of mesothelioma that is malignant, is most commonly found in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or within close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with various symptoms that are difficult to recognize.
When asbestos particles stick to the pericardium's lining they can cause tumors to expand and thicken the membrane. Doctors do not know the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of 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 inside the heart.
The lining of the chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium. This is the primary location for the majority of mesothelioma tumors grow. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However this is less common.
Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma of the pericardial region can take a long time to show up after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other diseases and can include chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, weight loss and an ongoing cough. In certain cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, an illness 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 ask about past exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They will also take an x-ray or a tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.
Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition, and a lot of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma or other conditions. The taking of our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will help 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
The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart diseases and may not be apparent until the disease has advanced. Asbestos exposure can occur years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed, making it difficult to determine the connection. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should consult their doctor about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.
The reason for mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known However, doctors believe it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue that is there. Over time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. As a result of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are generally carried out by doctors first to look for any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then, they conduct tests in the blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding.
Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their work medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers are at greater chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure could be entitled to compensation in a mesothelioma suit.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no cost unless we collect compensation on your behalf.
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 affecting asbestos victims and can help you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our online claim form or contact us for assistance. 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 to learn about the benefits available to you.
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 use various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.
It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. Due to this long time period of latency, it's essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to talk to an expert doctor right away. They should also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the best treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart diseases and symptoms.
A physician will first examine the patient and observe their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor might also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and areas of swelling. If they find 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 of the heart has thickened.
Once the doctor has concluded there is a tumor or a fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further analysis.
Because pericardial mesothelioma has a more limited range of treatments than other types of cancer, a large percentage of sufferers will not recover from the cancer. New treatment methods are being researched to offer better outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which is the process of adding or removing genes from a person's body to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims at training an individual's immunity to fight cancer.