13 Things You Should Know About Mesothelioma And Asbestos That You Might Not Have Known
Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, a tissue that surrounds the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally causes symptoms like chest discomfort or fatigue, which can be similar to other health conditions. These symptoms can take years to develop following asbestos exposure which makes a diagnosis difficult. The best way to make a correct diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor. What is the cause of 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 percent of all cases. As with all types of mesothelioma, pericardial is associated with asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in a variety of household and commercial products for many years. The fibers are easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils are irritated, and they form tumors that then spread throughout the body. Only a few doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They do not yet fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium. However, they do know that it occurs in about a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after a patient's asbestos exposure. The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural msothelioma. This cancer forms in the lung's lining and chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal mesothelioma located in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma it can be difficult to identify because symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other heart diseases. The signs of pericardial asbestosis usually develop gradually and can impair the ability of breathing. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a fluid accumulation around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition through an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or an pericardial biopsy. A mesothelioma expert can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of the disease and determine the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors that can increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics, an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. People with a family history of mesothelioma are at a higher risk, too. Signs and symptoms As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of the cancer that accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma that is malignant, is primarily found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have many symptoms that are difficult to diagnose. When asbestos particles stick to the pericardium's lining they can cause tumors to develop and increase the thickness of the membrane. Doctors don't know the causes of pericardial cancer, however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart. brooklyn park asbestos law firm is the lining for the abdomen and chest. This is where most 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 pericardial may take years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases that cause chest pain, difficulty breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In some instances the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, an illness 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 inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and 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 complete the diagnosis. Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and a lot of doctors are unable to recognize the signs. It is important for patients to report all their symptoms to their doctor to be examined for mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of your symptoms and will be able to correctly diagnose you. Diagnosis Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. Symptoms often mimic more common heart diseases and may not appear until the condition has advanced in a significant way. Asbestos exposure can occur years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed which makes it difficult to identify the connection. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should speak to their doctor about any symptoms that could be related to asbestos. The cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown, but doctors believe that it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissue there. Over time the affected tissue transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and enlarge the pericardium. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart as a result of the tumors and the resulting pressure causes pressure on the organ and leads to symptoms. Typically, doctors perform imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to spot any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spread of cancerous cells. Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be ready to discuss their history of work with their physician. asbestos workers face a high chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had a history of exposure to asbestos may be qualified for compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit. A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation will assist you in understanding the legal options available to you if you or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and has developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. No fees are charged unless we can obtain compensation for you. Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws affecting asbestos victims and will help you receive the benefits you deserve. Fill out our online claim form or call us to get started. We will guide you through the whole process. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits. Treatment Doctors should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure in order to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then use different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs. Asbestos fibers can take as long as 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, where they cause cancerous cells. It is vital that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms consult a doctor as soon as possible due to the lengthy delay. They must also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos in order to get the best treatment. Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the mesothelioma forms that are rare and is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart diseases and symptoms. A doctor will first look over the patient and listen to their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor may also order a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to look for tumors and areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium they will order an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's function and determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened. Once the doctor has concluded that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will remove small amounts of fluid or tissue and send samples to a laboratory for further testing. A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatment options are more limited than for other types. New treatment options are being investigated that could provide better outcomes for patients. One such approach 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 aims to train the immune system of the patient to fight cancer.