10 Facts About Mesothelioma And Asbestos That Can Instantly Put You In A Good Mood
Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a lining of the heart. This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms like chest pain or fatigue that may be similar to other conditions. It can take a long time for these symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult to determine the cause. The best way to get a correct diagnosis is to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician. What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma? Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in thin membrane that runs along the heart, known as the pericardium. This is a rare type of mesothelioma, which can be found in 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like all types of mesothelioma pericardial is also associated with asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in a wide range of household and commercial products for decades. The fibers are easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the linings of the abdominal and chest cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors. Doctors have only found a link 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 do know that it occurs in around 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it typically occurs decades after exposure to asbestos. In the majority of instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma. It is found in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they may also develop peritoneal mesothelioma found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the male testes. It can be difficult to diagnose pericardial msothelioma if the symptoms are similar to other heart diseases. The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to come on slowly and can affect the ability to breathe. These symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain and a swell of fluid around the heart known as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition through an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart, or a pericardial biopsy. A mesothelioma specialist can determine whether a patient has this rare form of disease and help them find the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. Patients who have mesothelioma-related family history have an increased risk, too. Signs and symptoms Pericardial mesothelioma also occurs by asbestos fibers that penetrate the heart's tissue. This rare type of cancer, which accounts for less than 1percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is found most often in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or within close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose. Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to form tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know the process by which pericardial cancer develops but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors think that the cancer grew from another area of the body, like the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart. The abdomen and chest are known as the mesothelium. This is the main site for most mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease can also start in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles however this is much less common. The symptoms of mesothelioma, such as pericardial mesothelioma may take years to surface after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses that cause chest pain, difficulty breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In certain cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, a condition where the fingers swell up and look rounder than normal. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium by looking at the patient's medical history. They will ask the patient about any asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to evaluate the pericardium. They will also collect an x-ray or a tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis. Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition and a large number of doctors do not recognize the symptoms. It is important for patients to report all of their symptoms to their doctor so that they can be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware all of your symptoms and correctly diagnose you. Diagnosis Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize. The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not manifest until the disease has advanced. Asbestos exposure can take place decades before pericardial msothelioma is diagnosed and it is difficult to determine the connection. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should talk to their doctor about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos. Doctors aren't sure of the exact cause of the pericardial msothelioma. They believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lungs into the pericardium to cause irritation to the tissue. In time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and thicken the pericardium. The heart is flooded with fluid. heart as a result of the tumors and the pressure that results causes stress on the organ and results in symptoms. sugar land asbestos lawyer -rays or CT scans are generally carried out by doctors first to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of cancerous cells spreading. Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their work history with a doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. People who have a history of exposure to asbestos could be eligible for compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit. A lawyer who has expertise in asbestos litigation will assist you in understanding the legal options available to you in the event that you or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we collect compensation on your behalf. The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the various laws that impact asbestos victims and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Start your claim now by filling out our online form or calling us. We will guide 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 should conduct physical exams and ask patients questions regarding their asbestos exposure in order to diagnose pericardial a mesothelioma. They can then use different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to determine the symptoms. It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to develop. It is essential that anyone suffering from mesothelioma see a doctor as soon as possible due to the lengthy delay. It is also essential to be upfront about their previous exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the best treatment. Pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1percent of mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty in diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions or symptoms. The first stage in the diagnosis process is a physical exam 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 also check for any tumors. If they spot fluid buildup in the pericardium, they'll likely require an echocardiogram in order to check how well the heart is working and to determine whether there is any lining that is thickening. If the doctor is able to determine that there is a fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it's malignant. During a biopsy doctors will take small amounts of tissue or fluid and send them to a lab for further testing. Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatment options than other types, many sufferers will not recover from the cancer. New treatment methods are being studied to improve the outcomes for patients. One of these is gene therapy, which entails the addition or removal of genes from a body to fight specific diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training a patient's immunity to fight cancer.