11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, a tissue that surrounds the heart. This kind of mesothelioma may cause symptoms such as fatigue or chest pain that may mimic other ailments.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult to determine the cause. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to ensure a correct diagnosis.
What causes pericardial mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. It is among the rarest types of mesothelioma, making up about 1 to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma pericardial is also linked to asbestos lawsuit exposure.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was extensively used in a myriad of commercial and household items. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled and they can end up in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors.
A few doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They are still unable to fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to this type of cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it occurs in around 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after asbestos exposure.
In most instances, an individual exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma, which is found in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma located in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the male testes. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma if the symptoms are similar to other heart conditions.
The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to appear gradually and impact breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a swell of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a doctor using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist will determine if a patient is suffering from this rare form of disease and help them find the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may 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.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma is also caused by asbestos fibers reaching the heart's tissues. This rare form of the cancer that accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or in the home of someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose.
Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles adhere to the lining of the pericardium and begin to grow into tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. 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 chest and abdomen are known as the mesothelium. This is the primary site for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease may also begin in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, however this is much less common.
The symptoms of mesothelioma such as mesothelioma of the pericardial region can take a long time to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, trouble breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In some instances, pericardial mesothelioma could cause a swollen finger the condition where the fingertips swell and appear more round than normal.
Doctors identify pericardial mesothelioma on the basis of the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire with the patient about any asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. They may also take samples of tissue or fluid to confirm the diagnosis.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma or other ailments. Bring our Symptom Checklist with you prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to correctly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not show up until the disease is advanced. Moreover, asbestos case exposure can occur years before pericardial mesothelioma appears, making the connection difficult to recognize. Anyone with a history of asbestos legal exposure should talk to their physician about any signs that could be related to asbestos.
The cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known however, doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos law fibers that move from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissue that is there. In time, the irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells that transform into tumors. Because of tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms.
Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to identify any tumors or excess fluids. They then run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are spreading.
Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their employment history with a physician. Asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients with a past of exposure to asbestos may be eligible for compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help know your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws affecting asbestos claim victims and will assist you in obtaining the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our online claim form or call us to get started. We'll guide you through the entire process from start to the end. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.
Treatment
To properly identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then conduct a series of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the symptoms and determine if there's fluid accumulation in the pericardium.
It could take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to penetrate the heart's lining and cause cancerous cells to develop. Because of this long time period of latency, it's essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to see an expert doctor right away. They should also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos in order to get the best treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma (PM), one of the rarest mesothelioma types, accounts for less than 1percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it may be similar to other heart conditions and symptoms.
A doctor will first look over the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor can also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to check for tumors and find areas of swelling. If they find fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will likely request an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart is working and to see whether there is any lining thickening.
If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or a fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will take tiny pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab to be tested further.
Since pericardial mesothelioma is a smaller range of treatment options than other types, a majority of victims will not survive the cancer. However, there are new treatments being developed 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 the body of a person in order to fight certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to build the immune system of the patient to fight cancer.