Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a lining of the heart This type of mesothelioma typically results in symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can mimic other health conditions These symptoms may take years to develop after exposure to asbestos which makes a diagnosis difficult Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to ensure a correct diagnosis What causes mesothelioma of the pericardium Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that surrounds the heart, referred to as the pericardium It is a rare type of mesothelioma, which is responsible for 1 to 2 of all cases Like all types of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also associated with asbestos exposure Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in a wide range of commercial and household products for many years Its toxic fibers are easily swallowed or inhaled, and they can end up in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils irritate and form tumors Doctors have only discovered a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a small number of cases They are still unable to fully comprehend how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium, but they know that it occurs in about a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma This is in part because it is usually diagnosed decades after a patient's asbestos exposure Most people who are exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma https//vimeocom/703531244 is found in the lining of the lungs and chest wall There is also the possibility of developing testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma within male testes It is sometimes difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma if the symptoms are similar to those of other heart diseases The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may affect the ability of breathing The symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, and a buildup of fluid around the heart, which is known as pericardial effusion A doctor can identify this condition by running an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or the pericardial biopsy A mesothelioma specialist will determine whether a patient has this rare form of the disease and guide them to the most effective treatment Other factors, such as genetics, a weak immune system, and exposure to radiation could increase the risk for mesothelioma pericardial A family history of the disease increases your risk Symptoms Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers reaching the tissue surrounding the heart This rare form of the cancer that accounts for less than 1 percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is most often discovered in those who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with someone who was impacted by asbestos Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may vary and mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles adhere to the lining of the pericardium and begin to form tumors that enlarge the membrane Doctors don't know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are the cause Most doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity, the lungs peritoneum and finally to the lining in the heart The abdomen and chest are called the mesothelium, which is the primary site for mesothelioma tumors to develop The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining or in the testicles, but this is not as frequent Symptoms of mesothelioma, including pericardial mesothelioma can take a long time to show up after exposure to asbestos The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases such as chest pain, difficulty breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss In some cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, which is an illness where fingers get swollen and appear more rounded than normal Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of the pericardium based on the patient's medical background They will inquire with the patient about any asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests such as x rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram to evaluate the pericardium They may also take an x-ray or a tissue sample to complete the diagnosis Pericardial Mesothelioma is 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 with you prior to your appointment will ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to accurately determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition Diagnosis Diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult The symptoms may be similar to other heart diseases and may not be apparent until the disease is advanced Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed, making 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 Doctors do not know the specific cause of the pericardial msothelioma They believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that migrate from the lungs into the pericardium to cause irritation to tissue In time the affected tissue transforms into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and expand the pericardium Due to tumors, fluid builds up around the organ This pressure causes symptoms X-rays or CT scans are typically carried out by doctors first to detect 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 spreading of the cancerous cells Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their occupational history with a physician Asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can help you understand your legal options Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today There is no fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans with asbestos-related cases Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws that affect asbestos victims, and can help you receive the benefits you are entitled to Fill out our online claim form or call us to begin We will guide you through the entire process from start to finish Our number is 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 talk to patients about their asbestos exposure history They can then employ different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, where they trigger cancerous cells Because of this lengthy time period of latency, it's important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to consult an expert doctor right away They should also be honest about their past exposure to asbestos so they can receive the most effective treatment possible Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest types of mesothelioma is responsible for less than 1percent of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed This is due to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions and signs The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by a physician who will listen to a patient's breathing and heartbeat The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to detect tumors and areas of swelling If they detect fluid in the pericardium, they will request an echocardiogram This is to check the heart's function and determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened If the doctor is able to determine that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium, they will perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it's malignant During the biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of tissue or fluid and send samples to a laboratory for further testing Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatment options than other types, many patients will not be able to recover from the cancer However, there are new treatment methods being explored that may provide better outcomes for patients One such approach is gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from a body in order to fight diseases Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training an individual's immunity to fight cancer