Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma, which is found in the heart's lining pericardium This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms like chest pain and fatigue that can mimic other conditions It can take years for these symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos This makes it difficult to make a diagnosis Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to make sure they get a proper diagnosis What is the cause of Pericardial Mesothelioma Pericardial Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that is found in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart This is one of the rarest mesothelioma types that account for 1 to 2 of all mesothelioma cases Like all types of mesothelioma pericardial is also connected to asbestos exposure Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in a variety of commercial and household products for decades Its fibers can be easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils get irritated and develop into tumors that then spread throughout the body A few doctors have found a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia They are still unable to know exactly how asbestos contributes to this type of cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it happens in quarter of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma This is due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after exposure to asbestos In the majority of instances, an individual exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma It forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, which is found in the testes of males If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma it can be difficult to identify because symptoms can be similar to those of other heart ailments The signs of pericardial cancer tend to be gradual and may affect the ability of breathing The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a swell of fluid around the heart known as pericardial effusion A doctor can diagnose this condition by running an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart or an pericardial biopsy A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of the disease and recommend the best treatment Other factors, including genetics, an weakened immune system, and exposure to radiation can increase the risk of pericardial msothelioma 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 uncommon form of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with someone who was impacted by asbestos Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose Pericardial mesothelioma may occur when asbestos particles adhere to the pericardial lining and begin to grow into tumors that thicken the membrane Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from an area of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or lungs the peritoneum and then spread to the lining of the heart The chest and abdomen are both known as the mesothelium This is the main site for the majority of mesothelioma tumors grow The disease can also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, though this is far less common After asbestos exposure, symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to manifest The symptoms are usually similar to other illnesses and may include chest pain, trouble breathing and fatigue, weight loss and an ongoing cough In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma may cause clubbing of the fingers, a condition in which the fingertips swell and appear rounder than usual Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms They will ask the patient about their previous asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests like radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to examine the pericardium To complete https//vimeocom/704943800 , they will also take a sample of fluid or tissue Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare condition that is not acknowledged by a lot of doctors, can trigger serious symptoms Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other ailments Taking our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and can properly diagnose you Diagnosis Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not show up until the disease is advanced Moreover, asbestos exposure can happen decades before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to identify Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should share their exposure history with their doctors and inquire about any asbestos-related symptoms The cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains unknown however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissue that is there Over time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors Due to tumors, fluid forms around the organ This pressure causes symptoms X-rays or CT scans are usually performed first by doctors to look for 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 cancerous cells Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their work medical history with a doctor Asbestos workers are at a greater risk of developing asbestos related illnesses, like mesothelioma and lung cancer Patients with a past of asbestos exposure could be qualified for compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit A lawyer who has expertise 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 Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free No fee is charged unless we can recover compensation for you Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos-related cases Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws that apply to asbestos victims and can assist you in obtaining the benefits you are entitled to Start your claim now by filling out our online form or calling us We will help you through the whole procedure Contact us at 1-888-654-7635 Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits Treatment Doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer They can then use various tests like X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining inside the heart, where they cause cancerous cells It is crucial that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms see a doctor immediately due to the long latency period They should also be open about their past exposure to asbestos so they are able to receive the most effective treatment Pericardial Mesothelioma PM, one of the rarest types of mesothelioma, accounts for less than 1percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed This is mainly due to the difficulty in identifying this condition as it can be a symptom of other heart conditions 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 to identify any areas of swelling and check for any tumors If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely require an echocardiogram in order to observe how well the heart is functioning and to see whether there is any thickening of the lining After the doctor has determined there is a tumor or 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 take small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further testing Since pericardial mesothelioma is a more limited range of treatment options than other types, a majority of sufferers will not recover from the disease New treatment options are being studied to improve the outcomes for patients Gene therapy is one such method It involves introducing or taking certain genes out of the body of a patient in order to fight specific diseases Immunotherapy is another option, that aims to boost the body's immune system to fight cancer