The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is an uncommon form of mesothelioma, which is found in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma can 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 way to make an accurate diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their physician.

What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that lines the heart, also known as the pericardium. This is a rare form of mesothelioma, which accounts for 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like all mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in a wide range of 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 develops when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma only in a handful of instances. They do not yet fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in about 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.

In the majority of instances, a person exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma it is difficult to determine because the symptoms can be similar to those of other heart conditions.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may affect your ability to breathe. These symptoms can include chest pain, trouble breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a doctor using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient has the rare form of this disease and determine 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. A family history of the disease also increases your risk.

Symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This uncommon form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1 % of mesothelioma cases that are malignant it is mostly seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos lawyer in the workplace or by living with those who were affected by asbestos lawsuit. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have various symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are the cause. Most doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body like the lungs, abdominal cavity (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 can also begin in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However this is less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as mesothelioma pericardial, can take decades to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses, and include chest pain, difficulty in breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, which is a condition where the fingers swell up and appear more rounded than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium by looking at the patient's medical background. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They will also take a fluid or tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.

Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition and a large number of doctors do not recognize the signs. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor in order to be examined for mesothelioma or other ailments. Bring our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and can correctly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart disorders and may not be apparent until the condition has advanced substantially. Moreover, asbestos lawsuit exposure can happen decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the link hard to recognize. Anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.

The exact cause of mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissues there. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors and the resulting pressure causes stress on the organ and results in symptoms.

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

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their work history with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has developed pericardial mesothelioma, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can assist you to know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. There is no charge unless we can obtain compensation for you.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the numerous laws that affect asbestos (buckley-simmons-2.blogbright.net) victims and can ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim now by filling out our online form or calling us. We will guide you through the entire process from beginning to finish. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.

Treatment

To properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then perform various tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to locate the signs and determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.

It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. It is vital that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms see a doctor as soon as possible because of the long delay. 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, which is among the rarest types of mesothelioma is responsible for less than 1percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases and signs.

The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by a physician who will listen to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor can also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest to detect tumors and find areas of swelling. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will require an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's functioning and to determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened.

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

Since pericardial mesothelioma is a more limited range of treatment options than other types of cancer, a large percentage of patients will not be able to recover from the disease. New treatment methods are being investigated that could improve the outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which entails the addition or removal of genes from the body of a person in order to fight diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, which aims at training a patient's immunity to fight cancer.