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Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, a part of the lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other health conditions. It could take years for symptoms to manifest after asbestos exposure. This makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to ensure a correct diagnosis. What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma? Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that lines the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is a rare type of mesothelioma that accounts for 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Similar to other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in many common commercial and household products for a long time. Its fibers can be easily swallowed, inhaled or trapped in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and then form tumors. Doctors have only identified an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a few cases. They are still unable to fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to this type of cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it happens in around a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs years after asbestos exposure. In most instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma in the testes of males. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms are often similar to those of other heart ailments. The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to develop gradually and can impact the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a swell of fluid around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a doctor using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy. A mesothelioma specialist will determine whether a patient has this rare form of the disease and assist them in finding the best 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 the risk. Symptoms Pericardial mesothelioma also occurs by asbestos fibers affecting the tissue surrounding 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 in their work environment or within close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and can mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult. Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles cling to the pericardial lining and begin to develop tumors that enlarge the membrane. Doctors don't know the process by which pericardial cancer develops however, they believe asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body like the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining of the heart. The lining of the abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. It is the main site for the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop. The disease can also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles though this is far less common. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma symptoms may take years to show up. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses such as chest pain, trouble breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances, pericardial mesothelioma may cause clubbing of the fingers, a condition in which the fingers expand and appear larger than usual. Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they'll also take samples of fluid or tissue. Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and a lot of doctors do not recognize the signs. It is essential that patients report all of their symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. Bring our Symptom Checklist along prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and can correctly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition. Diagnosis Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to identify. Its symptoms are often akin to other heart conditions that are more common and may not appear until the condition has advanced significantly. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can happen decades before the onset of pericardial cancer, making the link hard to recognize. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should consult their physician about any signs that could be due to asbestos. Doctors don't know the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lung into the pericardium to irritate tissue. In time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells that transform into tumors. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart due to the tumors and the resulting pressure puts stress on the organ, which results in symptoms. X-rays or CT scans are generally performed first by doctors to look for any abnormal fluids or tumors. They then run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are growing. Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their occupational medical history with a doctor. asbestos workers face a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases which include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients with a past of exposure to asbestos could be eligible 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 to asbestos and has developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf. fort worth asbestos attorneys has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the numerous laws that affect asbestos sufferers and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim now by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will walk you through the entire process from start to the end. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits. Treatment In order to properly identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then employ a variety of tests including X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms. Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, where they cause cancerous cells. Because of this lengthy time between latency, it is essential for anyone suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms to consult a physician immediately. They must also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos to ensure they get the best treatment. Pericardial mesothelioma is among the mesothelioma forms that are rare and is the reason for only 1% of all mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition since it can be a symptom of other heart diseases or symptoms. The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by an expert physician who listens to a patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor may also request an MRI or CT scan of the chest in order to detect any areas of swelling and check for any tumors. If they discover fluid in the pericardium, they will order an echocardiogram. This is to check the heart's function and see if the lining 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. During the biopsy, doctors will take small amounts of fluid or tissue and send samples to a laboratory 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 disease. However, there are new treatment options being studied which could provide better results for patients. One such approach is gene therapy, which is the process of adding or removing genes from the body of a person to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training a patient's immunity to fight cancer.