A Look At The Ugly The Truth About Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the pericardium, which is a part of the lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as 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 experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to make sure they get a proper diagnosis.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the thin membrane that runs along the heart, referred to as the pericardium. It is a rare type of mesothelioma, which can be found in 1% to 2 % of all cases. As with all types of mesothelioma attorney, pericardial is associated with asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in many common household and commercial products for a long time. The toxic fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and they can end up in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is a result of fibrils that are irritated, and they form tumors that spread to other parts of the body.
A few doctors have discovered a link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. They do not yet know exactly how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it happens in around a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is in part because it is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure.
In most cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they could also develop peritoneal melanoma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma attorneys, which is found in the testes of males. If they are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms often resemble those of other heart ailments.
The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear gradually and impact the ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a fluid accumulation 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 a pericardial biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient has the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. Other factors, like genetics, a weak immune system, and exposure to radiation can increase the risk for mesothelioma pericardial. Those who have mesothelioma in their family have a higher risk, too.
Symptoms
As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which makes up less than 1percent of all malignant cases of mesothelioma, is most commonly found in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or in close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial mesothelioma lawyer symptoms may vary and may be a sign of other diseases, making diagnosis difficult.
When asbestos particles adhere to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to expand and make the membrane thicker. Doctors aren't sure the process by which pericardial cancer develops however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, like the lungs or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.
The lining of the abdomen and chest are called the mesothelium, which is the primary location for most mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However it is not as common.
The symptoms of mesothelioma such as mesothelioma pericardial, can take decades to manifest after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms are typically similar to other conditions and can include chest pain, difficulties breathing and weight loss, fatigue, and a constant cough. In some cases the pericardial msothelioma tumor can cause clubbing, an illness where fingers become swollen and look rounder than normal.
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, such as x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause, they will also take samples of fluid or tissue.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare condition that isn't recognized by many doctors, can cause serious symptoms. Patients should report any symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bring our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can help ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and correctly diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pericardial cancer can be difficult. The symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions and may not manifest until the disease has advanced. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can occur years before the onset of pericardial cancer and makes the connection difficult to detect. Anyone with a history of asbestos should discuss their exposure history with doctors and inquire about symptoms associated with asbestos.
Doctors aren't sure of the specific cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lung to the pericardium and irritate tissue. In time the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells which transform into tumors. Due to tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.
Typically, doctors first perform imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans to detect tumors or excess fluids. They then run blood tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of cancerous cells expanding.
Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their employment medical history with a doctor. asbestos workers are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have an asbestos-related history may be eligible for compensation via a mesothelioma lawsuit (Blogbright`s latest blog post).
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and has been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can help understand your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. There is no cost unless we collect compensation on your behalf.
The pericardial mesothelioma lawyer attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are aware of the many laws that impact asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Fill out our claim online form or call us to begin. We will help you through the entire process. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits.
Treatment
To be able to accurately determine if pericardial mesothelioma is present, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then use different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.
Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining of the heart, causing cancerous cells. It is vital that anyone suffering from mesothelioma see a doctor as soon as possible due to the long latency period. It is also essential to be upfront about their previous exposure to asbestos to ensure they get the best treatment.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, accounts for less than 1percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. This is mainly due to the difficulty of identifying this condition as it can be a symptom of other heart diseases or signs.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical examination conducted by an experienced physician who listens to the patient's breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to look for tumors and areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium they will require an echocardiogram. This is to assess the heart's functioning and to determine if the lining has thickened.
Once the doctor has determined that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will conduct an examination 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 laboratory for further testing.
Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatment options than other types, a majority of patients will not be able to recover from the disease. However, there are new treatment methods being explored which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or removing certain genes from the body of a patient in order to fight certain diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training a patient's immunity to fight cancer.