Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, a part of the lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma typically causes symptoms like chest discomfort or fatigue, which can be similar to other health conditions.
It could take years for these symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. This makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. The best way to make a correct diagnosis is to share their experiences of asbestos exposure with their physician.
What is the cause of mesothelioma lawsuits of the pericardium?
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. This is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma that account for one-third to 2% of all mesothelioma cases. Like all forms of mesothelioma pericardial is also connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was extensively used in a myriad of household and commercial products. Its harmful fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and they can end up in the chest’s lining or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils irritate and form tumors.
A few doctors have discovered a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to the development of this cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in about quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after a patient’s asbestos exposure.
In the majority of cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma that forms in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal msothelioma that is found male testes. It can be difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart diseases.
Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma lawyer tend to come on slowly and can affect the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a build-up of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. The condition can be diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of the disease and find the best treatment. Other factors, such as genetics, an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure could increase the risk of mesothelioma pericardial. A family history of the disease increases the risk.
Signs and symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma is also caused by asbestos fibers affecting the heart’s tissues. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are 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 lawsuits may present with various symptoms that are difficult to identify.
When asbestos particles adhere to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to expand and thicken the membrane. It is thought that this is the reason for pericardial mesothelioma, though doctors aren’t sure how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body like the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining in the heart.
The lining of the chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium. It is the primary location for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also begin in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, but this is not as common.
After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show up. These symptoms are often similar to other illnesses and may include chest pain, trouble breathing and fatigue, weight loss and an ongoing cough. In some cases the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing, which is a condition where fingers become swollen and look rounder than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium by looking at the patient’s medical history. They will inquire with the patient about previous asbestos exposure and perform imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to evaluate the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they will also collect a sample of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition, and many doctors are not aware of the symptoms. It is essential for patients to disclose all symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other ailments. The taking of our Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and can correctly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to recognize. Symptoms often mimic more common heart diseases and may not appear until the condition has advanced significantly. Asbestos exposure can happen years before pericardial msothelioma can be diagnosed which makes it difficult to determine the connection. Anyone with a history involving asbestos exposure should talk to their physician about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos.
Doctors do not know the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma. However, they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers which migrate from the lung into the pericardium to cause irritation to tissue. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and thicken the pericardium. The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart as a result of the tumors, and the resulting pressure puts stress on the organ and results in symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are typically performed first by doctors to identify any signs of tumors or excess fluids. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma as well as determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells.
Patients with mesothelioma should also be ready to discuss their work history with their physician. asbestos workers are at a greater risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, like mesothelioma lawsuit and lung cancer. Patients with an asbestos-related history could be eligible for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help you understand the legal options available to you if you or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma lawsuits. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we can recover compensation for you.
Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws that affect asbestos victims and can assist you in obtaining the benefits you are entitled to. Fill out our online claim form or call us to begin. We will help you through the entire procedure. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.
Treatment
To properly determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present doctors must conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then perform a series of tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs and determine if there is fluid accumulation in the pericardium.
It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the heart’s lining and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is crucial that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms seek out a physician as soon as possible due to the lengthy latency period. They must also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the most effective treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest mesothelioma types is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is partly due to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart conditions or symptoms.
A physician will first examine the patient and observe their heartbeat and breathing. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to detect tumors and find areas of swelling. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they’ll likely order an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart is functioning and determine whether there is any lining thickening.
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 the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. During the biopsy, doctors will remove tiny pieces of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing.
A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatment options are less than for other types. New treatment methods are being investigated that could provide better outcomes for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves introducing or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option, which aims to build the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
