13 Things About Mesothelioma And Asbestos You May Not Have Known

Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is an uncommon form of mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma generally produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other health conditions.

It could take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. This makes a diagnosis difficult. The best method to obtain an accurate diagnosis is to discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is a rare form of mesothelioma which can be found in 1% to 2 % of all cases. Similar to mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral has been used for a long time in a wide range of commercial and household items. The fibers are easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the linings 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 found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. While they don't know how asbestos causes this cancer of the pericardium to grow however, they do know that around 25% of mesothelioma sufferers are affected. This is in part because it typically occurs decades after exposure to asbestos.

In the majority of instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma that is found in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma attorneys, in the male testes. It is sometimes difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is when the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis usually develop gradually and can impair your ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a fluid accumulation around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient has the rare form of the disease and determine the most effective treatment. Other factors, like genetics, a weak immune system, and radiation exposure, can increase the risk of pericardial msothelioma. A family history of the disease increases your risk.

Symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers reaching the heart's tissues. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1percent of all malignant cases of mesothelioma lawyers is found most often in people who have been exposed to asbestos at work or within close proximity to someone who has been affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma attorney symptoms may vary and mimic other conditions and make it difficult to determine the cause.

As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to develop and increase the thickness of the membrane. It is believed that this is what causes mesothelioma pericardial, although doctors aren't aware of how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that cancer spread from another part of the body such as the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining in the heart.

The lining of the abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. It is the main site for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also begin in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles but this is not as common.

After exposure to asbestos, symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to manifest. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses that cause chest pain, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, which is a condition where fingers become swollen and appear more rounded than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on a patient's medical background. They will inquire with the patient about any asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests such as radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to evaluate the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis, they will also take a sample of fluid or tissue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors do not recognize the symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma attorney and other conditions. Taking our Symptom Checklist with you prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to correctly diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to recognize. The symptoms often mirror more common heart disorders and may not show up until the condition has advanced significantly. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before pericardial mesothelioma appears and makes the connection difficult to detect. However, anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with their doctors and inquire about any asbestos-related symptoms.

Doctors aren't sure of the exact cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lung into the pericardium to cause irritation to tissue. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Due to tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

X-rays or CT scans are usually carried out by doctors first to detect any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are growing.

Patients with mesothelioma must be prepared to discuss their history of work with their physician. Asbestos workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with an asbestos-related history may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help you know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we can get compensation for you.

Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the various laws that affect asbestos victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our claim online form or call us to begin. We'll guide you through the entire process from start to the point of completion. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

Doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then conduct a series of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the symptoms and determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is crucial that anyone suffering from mesothelioma seek out a physician as soon as possible due to the long delay. They must also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the best treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma (PM), one of the rarest types of mesothelioma that accounts 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.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical exam conducted by an expert physician who listens to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to look for tumors and areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely request an echocardiogram to determine how the heart is working and to see whether there is any lining thickening.

If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send samples to a laboratory for further testing.

Because pericardial mesothelioma attorneys has a more limited range of treatment options than other types of cancer, a large percentage of sufferers will not recover from the cancer. However, there are new treatments being developed that may provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which aims to train the immune system of a patient to fight the cancer.