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Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Pericardial mesothelioma is an uncommon form of mesothelioma which occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This kind of mesothelioma could cause symptoms such as chest pain and fatigue that may mimic other ailments. These symptoms can take years to develop after exposure to asbestos which makes a diagnosis difficult. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor in order to ensure a correct diagnosis. What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma? Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the thin membrane that lines the heart. This is one of the rarest mesothelioma types, making up about 1% to 2% of mesothelioma cases. Like mesothelioma other types, pericardial mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that was used in a variety of commercial and household products for a long time. 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 become irritated and form tumors that eventually spread throughout the body. Doctors have only found a link between exposure to asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma in a few instances. They do not yet know exactly how asbestos contributes to the development of this cancer in the pericardium. However, they know that it occurs in about a quarter of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed decades after exposure to asbestos. The majority of people exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma. This cancer forms in the lung's lining as well as the chest wall. There is also flint asbestos law firm of developing testicular or peritoneal msothelioma that is found male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, it is difficult to identify because symptoms often resemble those of other heart ailments. The symptoms of pericardial asbestosis tend to be gradual and may impact the ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a fluid accumulation around the heart known as pericardial effusion. The condition can be diagnosed by a doctor using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy. A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient is suffering from the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of developing pericardial cancer include genetics as well as an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease also increases the risk. Symptoms Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers reaching the heart's tissues. This rare form of the cancer which is responsible for less than 1 percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases is most often found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their workplace or living with someone who was affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with various symptoms that are difficult to recognize. When asbestos particles stick to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to grow and make the membrane thicker. Doctors aren't sure how pericardial cancer develops, but they believe that asbestos particles are responsible for the development. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from another area of the body, like the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart. The mesothelium is the lining for the abdomen and chest. This is where the majority of mesothelioma tumors are found. The disease can also begin in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However this is less common. Symptoms of mesothelioma, including mesothelioma pericardial, can take decades to show up after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases that cause chest pain, trouble breathing and fatigue, as well as weight loss. In certain cases, pericardial msothelioma can cause clubbing, a condition where the fingers swell up and appear more rounded 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, like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to examine the pericardium. To make sure they are able to determine the cause they will also collect samples of fluid or tissue. Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare condition, and a lot of doctors do not recognize the signs. Patients should report all symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma or other ailments. Bring our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all symptoms you are experiencing and will be able to correctly determine if you are suffering from mesothelioma or another condition. Diagnosis The diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma is difficult. The symptoms often mirror other heart conditions that are more common and may not be apparent until the disease has progressed significantly. Asbestos exposure can take place years before pericardial malignancies are diagnosed, making it difficult to identify the connection. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should share their exposure history with their doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms. Doctors don't know the exact cause of pericardial msothelioma, but they believe it is caused by asbestos fibers that move from the lung into the pericardium to cause irritation to tissue. In time, the irritated tissue mutates into cancerous cells, which then grow into tumors and expand the pericardium. Because of tumors, fluid accumulates around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms. X-rays or CT scans are usually done by doctors first to detect any abnormal fluids or tumors. They then run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent to which cancerous cells are expanding. Mesothelioma patients should also be prepared to discuss their occupational history with a doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have an asbestos-related past may qualify for compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits. A lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you if or someone loved ones has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial Mesothelioma. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for an initial consultation for free. There is no cost unless we collect compensation on your behalf. Madeksho Law Firm has helped hundreds of veterans who have asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of the numerous laws that affect asbestos sufferers and can ensure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We'll guide you through the entire process from start to the end. Our number is 1-888-654 7635. Download our free Veterans Packet for more information about your benefits. Treatment To properly diagnose pericardial mesothelioma, doctors need to conduct physical examinations and talk to patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then perform various tests, including X-rays, CT Scans, echocardiograms and biopsies, to pinpoint the signs and determine if there's an accumulation of fluid in the pericardium. Asbestos fibers can take up 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, where they cause cancerous cells. Because of this long latency period, it is important for anyone experiencing mesothelioma-related symptoms to see a physician immediately. They should also be open about any previous exposure to asbestos so that they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment possible. Pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest types of mesothelioma and is the reason for only 1percent of mesothelioma cases identified. This is mainly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it may be similar to other heart conditions or signs. The first step in the diagnosis process is a physical examination conducted by an expert 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 to identify areas of swelling. If they find fluid in the pericardium they will order an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's function and determine whether the lining of the heart has thickened. Once the doctor has determined that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove tiny pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further testing. A lot of patients with pericardial sarcoidosis will not survive because the treatments are more limited than for other kinds. However, there are some new treatment methods being explored which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one of these methods. It involves adding or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient to combat certain diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims at training a patient's immunity to fight cancer.