Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Pericardial mesothelioma is an uncommon form of mesothelioma which occurs in the heart's lining pericardium This type of mesothelioma generally produces symptoms such as chest discomfort or fatigue, which can mimic other health conditions These symptoms may take years to manifest following exposure to asbestos which makes a diagnosis difficult The best way to make an accurate diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of exposure to asbestos with their physician What causes pericardial mesothelioma Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, referred to as the pericardium This is a rare type of mesothelioma, which can be found in 1 to 2 percent of all cases Like all mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was extensively used in a variety of commercial and household products Its fibers can be easily swallowed, inhaled or trapped in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when fibrils cause irritation and create tumors Doctors have only found an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a handful of cases They are still unable to fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to this cancer in the pericardium, but they do know that it occurs in around a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma This is partly because it typically occurs years after exposure to asbestos In the majority of cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes It can be difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart diseases The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may impact your ability to breathe These symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a build-up of fluid around the heart known as pericardial effusion A doctor can identify 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 is suffering from the rare form of this disease and find the best treatment Other factors, including genetics, a weak immune system, and exposure to radiation can increase the risk for pericardial msothelioma Those with a family history of mesothelioma are at a higher risk, too Symptoms As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart This rare form of cancer which is responsible for less than 1 of mesothelioma cases that are malignant, is primarily discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or by living with those who were affected by asbestos Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by a variety of symptoms that are difficult to diagnose As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium's lining, they can cause tumors to expand and make the membrane thicker Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are the cause Most doctors think that the cancer grew from another area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs the peritoneum and then it spread to the lining of the heart The chest and abdomen are called the mesothelium, which is the primary site for the majority of mesothelioma tumors develop The disease can also begin in the peritoneal lining and testicles However it is not as common The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as mesothelioma pericardial can take a long time to show up after exposure to asbestos These symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases, and include chest pain, difficulty breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss In some cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing https//vimeocom/704884984 is a condition where fingers get swollen and look rounder than normal Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium based on a patient's medical background They will inquire about any previous exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests, like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to check the pericardium They may also take a fluid or tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare condition that isn't recognized by many doctors, can trigger serious symptoms It is important that patients report all symptoms to their doctor so that they can be tested for mesothelioma and other ailments Taking our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and can properly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition Diagnosis Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify The symptoms often mirror more common heart disorders and may not show up until the disease has progressed substantially Asbestos exposure can occur years before pericardial msothelioma can be diagnosed which makes it difficult to detect the link Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should consult their doctor about any symptoms that could be related to asbestos The exact cause of mesothelioma pericardial remains unclear however, doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium, and cause irritation to the tissues there In time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and expand the pericardium The pericardium is filled with fluid around the heart as a result of the tumors, and the resulting pressure causes stress on the organ and causes symptoms Typically, doctors will first conduct imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans to spot any extra fluids or tumors Then, they conduct blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of cancerous cells growing Patients with mesothelioma should also be ready to discuss their work history with their physician Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer Patients who have an asbestos-related past may qualify for compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation will help you understand the legal options available to you if you or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial Mesothelioma Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation There is no fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws that apply to asbestos victims and can assist you in receiving the benefits you deserve Complete our online claim form or call us to get started We will walk you through the entire process from beginning to the point of completion 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 regarding their asbestos exposure in order to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer They can then perform a series of tests, such as Xrays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the symptoms and determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium Asbestos fibers can require up to 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, where they cause cancerous cells It is essential that anyone who has mesothelioma-related symptoms consult a doctor as soon as possible due to the long time of latency They should also be open about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they are able to receive the most effective treatment possible Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma that accounts for less than one percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed This is mainly due to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart diseases or symptoms The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination by an experienced physician who listens to the patient's breathing pattern 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 a tumor If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely require an echocardiogram in order to check how well the heart functions and to determine whether there is any lining thickening If the doctor is able to determine there is a tumor or fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant When they perform a biopsy, doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing Many victims of pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatment options are less than for other kinds New treatment methods are being investigated that could offer better outcomes for patients One such method involves gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from a body to fight specific diseases Immunotherapy is another option which aims at training an individual's immunity to fight cancer