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Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can be similar to other health conditions.
These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos exposure which makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should share their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to make sure they get a proper diagnosis.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin membrane lining the heart. It is a rare type of mesothelioma that is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of all cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma, pericardial is associated with asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was extensively used in a variety of household and commercial products. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed, or trapped in the tissues of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.
Doctors have only discovered a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma in just a few instances. They are still unable to fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it occurs in about a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs years after asbestos exposure.
In most instances, an individual exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma attorney, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma in the male testes. It is sometimes difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart conditions.
The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to come on slowly and can affect breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a swell of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by running an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or the pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can determine whether a patient has this rare form of disease and assist them in finding the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases your risk.
Symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma is also caused by asbestos fibers affecting the heart's tissue. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than 1percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is found most often in people exposed to asbestos in their work environment or within close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can vary and can mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.
As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to develop and make the membrane thicker. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. Most doctors believe that the cancer spread from another part of the body, such as the lungs, abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and finally to the lining inside the heart.
The mesothelium is the lining of both the chest and abdomen. This is where most mesothelioma lawyers tumors develop. The disease can also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, though this is far less frequent.
The symptoms of mesothelioma attorney, such as mesothelioma lawyer pericardial may take years to show up after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, which is a condition where fingers get swollen and look more round than normal.
Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will ask the patient about previous asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests such as radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to examine the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they will also collect an x-ray or a sample of tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the signs. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma attorneys or other conditions. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and can properly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. Its symptoms are often akin to other heart conditions that are more common and may not appear until the disease has progressed in a significant way. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can happen decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the link hard to detect. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.
Doctors do not know the specific 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 the tissue. As time passes the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells which grow into tumors. As a result of tumors, fluid forms around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are generally performed first by doctors to detect any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm mesothelioma's presence and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding.
Patients with mesothelioma should also be prepared to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos workers are at greater chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you if or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no cost unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the various laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our claim online form or call us to get started. We will help you through the whole process. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.
Treatment
To be able to accurately identify pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then use a series of tests, such as Xrays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs and determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.
It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to form. It is vital that anyone suffering from mesothelioma see a doctor promptly due to the lengthy delay. It is also important to be candid about any previous exposure to asbestos so they can receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest forms of mesothelioma and accounts for only about 1percent of mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart diseases or signs.
The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination by an expert physician who listens to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to detect tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium they will order an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and see if the lining 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 whether it is malignant. When they conduct a biopsy, doctors remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send them to the laboratory for further testing.
Since pericardial mesothelioma is an enumeration of treatment options than other types, many patients will not be able to recover from the disease. However, there are new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which is the process of the addition or removal of genes from a body in order to fight diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims to build an individual's immunity to fight cancer.