Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, a tissue that surrounds the heart This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may be similar to other conditions These symptoms may take years to manifest following exposure to asbestos and can be difficult to diagnose Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to ensure a reliable diagnosis What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart This is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma, making up about 1 to 2 of all mesothelioma cases Like mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos exposure Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally has been used for a long time in a variety of commercial and household products The fibers are easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors Doctors have only found a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma in a handful of cases Although they aren't sure the exact mechanism that causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to grow however, they do know that around 25 of mesothelioma sufferers are affected This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos Most people who are exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma This cancer forms in the lung's lining as well as the chest wall It is also possible to develop testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes It can be difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma if the symptoms are similar to other heart conditions The symptoms of pericardial cancer tend to come on slowly and can affect the ability to breathe The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a fluid accumulation around the heart known as pericardial effusion A doctor can identify this condition through an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart, or a pericardial biopsy A mesothelioma expert can determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of the disease and guide them to the most effective treatment In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure A family history of the disease also increases your risk Signs and symptoms Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers get into the tissue that surrounds the heart This rare form of the cancer which is responsible for less than 1 percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases, is primarily seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace or by living with those who were affected by asbestos The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors that enlarge the membrane Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are the reason The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spreads from another area of the body like the abdominal cavity, the lungs peritoneum, and then to the lining of the heart The mesothelium is the lining of both the chest and abdomen This is where most mesothelioma tumours develop The disease can also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, however this is much less frequent After exposure to asbestos, symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to show up The symptoms are usually similar to other conditions and may include chest pain, difficulties breathing, fatigue, weight loss and a persistent cough In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma may cause a swollen finger the condition where the fingers expand and appear larger than usual Doctors diagnose pericardial mesothelioma based on the patient's medical history and symptoms They will inquire about previous exposure to asbestos and conduct imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium To confirm the diagnosis they will also collect a sample of fluid or tissue Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition and a large number of doctors are not aware of the symptoms Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases Bring our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and is able to properly diagnose you Diagnosis Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult Its symptoms are often akin to more common heart diseases and may not show up until the disease has progressed in a significant way Additionally, exposure to asbestos can happen decades before pericardial mesothelioma appears and makes the connection difficult to recognize Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should speak to their physician about any signs that could be due to asbestos The exact cause of mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known, but doctors believe that it occurs when asbestos fibers migrate from the lungs to the pericardium and irritate the tissue there Over time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells that develop into tumors and thicken the pericardium Fluid builds up around the heart due to the tumors, and the resulting pressure puts stress on the organ and causes symptoms X-rays or CT scans are generally carried out by doctors first to look for 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 spreading of the cancerous cells Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their history of work with their physician asbestos workers are at a greater chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses, like mesothelioma and lung cancer Patients with an asbestos-related history could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma litigation If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has recently diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can help know your legal options Contact Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today There is no cost unless we seek compensation on your behalf Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans in asbestos-related cases Our attorneys are familiar with the laws that apply to asbestos victims, and can help you receive the benefits you deserve Fill out our claim online form or contact us for assistance https//vimeocom/704943882 will guide you through the whole process Contact us at 1-888-654-7635 Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you can enjoy Treatment To be able to accurately identify pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background They can then perform various tests, such as X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the signs and determine if there's fluid buildup in the pericardium Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, causing cancerous cells Due to this long latency period, it is crucial for anyone who is experiencing mesothelioma related symptoms to see an expert doctor right away They must also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the best treatment Pericardial Mesothelioma PM, one of the rarest mesothelioma types that accounts for less than one percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed This is partly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions or signs The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by an experienced physician who listens to the patient's breathing pattern and heartbeat The physician may also order an MRI or CT scan of the chest to identify any areas of swelling and to check for any tumors If they discover fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely order an echocardiogram to observe how well the heart is working and determine if there is any thickening of the lining Once the doctor has concluded there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium, they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove small amounts of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further analysis A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not be able to recover because the treatment options are less than for other types However, there are new treatments being developed which could provide better results for patients Gene therapy is one such method It involves introducing or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient to fight certain diseases Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to train the immune system of a patient to fight cancer