Expert Advice On Mesothelioma And Asbestos From The Age Of Five

Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma which occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms like chest pain and fatigue that may mimic other ailments.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. This makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their physician to ensure a reliable diagnosis.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that grows in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. This is a rare type of mesothelioma, which can be found in 1% to 2 % of all cases. Like all mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was used for decades in a variety of commercial and household products. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed or caught in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils are irritated, and they form tumors that spread to other parts of the body.

Doctors have only identified an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a handful of cases. Although they do not know how asbestos causes this cancer of the pericardium but they do know that around one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is in part because it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos lawsuit exposure.

The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. The cancer develops in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma in the testes of males. It is sometimes difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is when the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.

The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impact the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, and the accumulation of fluid around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can identify this condition by running an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart or the pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient suffers from 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. Patients who have mesothelioma in their family have an increased risk as well.

Symptoms

As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare type of cancer, which makes up less than 1percent of all malignant cases of mesothelioma, is most commonly found in people who have been exposed to asbestos at work or in close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and can mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, such as the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.

The mesothelium is the lining of both the chest and abdomen. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease can also begin in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However this is less common.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as mesothelioma of the pericardial region may take years to surface after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually similar to other diseases and can include chest pain, trouble breathing, weight loss, fatigue and an ongoing cough. In some cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing. This is an illness where fingers get swollen and appear more rounded than normal.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium based on a patient's medical history. They will ask the patient about previous asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to evaluate the pericardium. They will also take samples of tissue or fluid to confirm the diagnosis.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare condition that isn't recognized by many doctors, can cause serious symptoms. It is important for patients to disclose all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to correctly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.

Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not show up until the disease is advanced. Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed which makes it difficult to determine the connection. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should talk to their doctor about any symptoms that could be related to asbestos.

Doctors don't know the specific cause of the pericardial msothelioma. They believe it is caused by asbestos law fibers which migrate from the lung to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue. Over time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and thicken the pericardium. As a result of tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.

Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm mesothelioma's presence and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are growing.

Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their work history with a doctor. asbestos workers are at greater chance of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients who have had a history of exposure to asbestos could be eligible for compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos law and has been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation (visit link) can help understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no cost unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws affecting asbestos victims, and can help you receive the benefits you deserve. Start your claim now by filling out our online form or by calling us. We'll guide you through the entire process from beginning to the end. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.

Treatment

To properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present doctors must conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then perform various tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms and determine if there's fluid buildup in the pericardium.

It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos attorney fibers to reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. Due to this long latency period, it is crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to talk to a doctor immediately. They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos so that they are able to receive the most effective treatment possible.

Pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is partly due to the difficulty in identifying this condition as it may be similar to other heart diseases or symptoms.

The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by a physician who will listen to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also order a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they detect fluid in the pericardium, they will request an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's function and determine if the lining has thickened.

Once the doctor has determined that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it's malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will take tiny pieces of tissue or fluid and send samples to a laboratory for further testing.

Since pericardial mesothelioma is a more limited range of treatments than other types, a majority of sufferers will not recover from the cancer. However, there are new treatment methods being explored that could offer better outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which is the process of adding or removing genes from the body of a person to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, which aims at training a patient's immunity to fight cancer.