The 9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma that occurs in the heart's lining (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma typically results in symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that may mimic other health conditions.
These symptoms can take years to develop following asbestos exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best way to make an accurate diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their doctor.
What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin membrane that lines the heart. This is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma that account for one-third to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like all other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in many common household and commercial products for a long time. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed, or trapped in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.
Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a handful of instances. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to this 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 is usually diagnosed decades after a patient's asbestos exposure.
In most instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they may also develop peritoneal mesothelioma located in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma in the male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it may be difficult to identify because symptoms can be similar to those of other heart conditions.
The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can affect your ability to breathe. These symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a fluid accumulation around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient has the rare form of the disease and find the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Patients who have mesothelioma in their family are at a higher risk of developing it as well.
Signs and symptoms
As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer which is responsible for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is most often discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or living with those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to identify.
Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to develop tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors aren't sure the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from another area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then spread to the lining of the heart.
The chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. This is the primary location for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease may also begin in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles but this is not as common.
Symptoms of mesothelioma, including pericardial mesothelioma can take a long time to show up after exposure to asbestos case. These symptoms are typically similar to other conditions and may include chest pain, difficulty breathing and weight loss, fatigue, and a constant cough. In certain cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, an illness in which fingers get swollen and look more round than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium by looking at the patient's medical history. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos legal and perform imaging tests, like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They will also take samples of tissue or fluid to confirm the diagnosis.
Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors do not recognize the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their doctor in order to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist along prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and can accurately diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms may be similar to other heart ailments and may not show up until the disease is advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur decades before pericardial mesothelioma appears, making the link hard to recognize. Anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
The cause of mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear However, doctors believe it occurs when asbestos lawsuit fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissues there. In time, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells which transform into tumors. Due to tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to detect extra fluids or tumors. Then they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spreading of cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma patients should be prepared to discuss their employment medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via mesothelioma litigation.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer experienced in asbestos claim litigation can help you determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the various laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or calling us. We will walk you through the entire process from beginning to finish. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Or, download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy.
Treatment
In order to properly identify pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then use a variety of tests, such as Xrays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms and determine if there's fluid buildup in the pericardium.
It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. Because of this long time between latency, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to talk to an expert doctor right away. It is also important to be candid about any previous exposure to asbestos so they are able to receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1percent of mesothelioma cases identified. This is partly due to the difficulty of identifying this condition as it can be a symptom of other heart diseases or signs.
The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical exam conducted by an experienced physician who listens to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to check for tumors and areas of swelling. If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely request an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart functions and to see if there is any thickening of the lining.
Once the doctor has determined that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will remove tiny pieces of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further analysis.
A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatments are more limited than for other types. New treatment options are being investigated that could offer better outcomes for patients. One such method involves gene therapy, which entails the addition or removal of genes from a person's body in order to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to train a patient's immune system to fight the cancer.