9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma, which is found in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms such as chest pain and fatigue that can mimic other conditions.
These symptoms may take years to develop following asbestos exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor.
What causes pericardial mesothelioma?
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the thin membrane lining the heart. It is a rare type of mesothelioma that is responsible for 1 to 2 % of all cases. Like all mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in a variety of household and commercial products for a long time. The toxic fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and they can get caught in the chest's lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils get irritated and develop into tumors that spread to other parts of the body.
Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a small number of cases. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it happens in around a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs years after a patient's asbestos exposure.
In the majority of instances, an individual exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart problems.
The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may impact the ability to breathe. These 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 performing an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart, or a pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma expert can determine if a patient is suffering from this rare type of disease and guide them to the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics, an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases the risk.
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 cancer which is responsible for less than 1 percent 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 someone who was affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and can mimic other conditions and make it difficult to determine the cause.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles adhere to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos; killer deal, particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from another part of the body such as the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum), and then to the lining of the heart.
The mesothelium is the lining for both the abdomen and chest. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumours develop. The disease may also start in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However, this is much less common.
The symptoms of mesothelioma such as pericardial mesothelioma, can take decades to show up after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases such as chest pain, difficulty breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In certain cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing. This is a condition where the fingers swell up and look more round than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on the patient's medical history. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos and perform imaging tests, like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. They will also collect a fluid or tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a rare condition that is not acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can cause serious symptoms. It is important for patients to disclose all of their symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and correctly determine if you are suffering from.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms often mirror other heart conditions that are more common and may not show up until the condition has advanced substantially. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma and makes the connection difficult to identify. Anyone with a history of asbestos compensation should be able to share their asbestos exposure with their doctor and ask about asbestos case-related symptoms.
The cause of mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear However, doctors believe it occurs when asbestos fibers travel from the lungs into the pericardium and irritate the tissues there. As time passes, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors and the pressure that results puts stress on the organ and results in symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are typically carried out by doctors first to look for any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are spreading.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation via a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer with experience in asbestos lawyer litigation can assist you to know your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we are able to get compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers of Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the many laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our online claim form or call us to get started. We will help you through the entire process. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Or, 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 background. They can then use various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.
It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the tissue of the heart and cause cancerous cells to grow. It is essential that anyone suffering from mesothelioma consult a doctor as soon as possible due to the long latency period. It is also important to be candid about their past exposure to asbestos so they can receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty of identifying this condition as it may be similar to other heart diseases or symptoms.
A physician will first examine the patient and observe their breathing and heartbeat. The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest in order to detect any areas of swelling and to check for a tumor. If they discover fluid in the pericardium they will require an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's functioning and to determine whether the lining has become thicker.
After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm their diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will take small amounts of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further analysis.
Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatments than other types of cancer, a large percentage of patients will not be able to recover from the disease. New treatment options 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 a person's body in order to fight diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to build the immune system of the patient to fight cancer.