Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in the pericardium, a tissue that surrounds the heart. This type of mesothelioma generally produces symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue that can be similar to other health conditions.

The symptoms can take a long time to develop following asbestos exposure, making a diagnosis challenging. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is for patients to share their experiences of exposure to asbestos with their physician.

What is the reason for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart, referred to as the pericardium. This is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers that account for 1% to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Like all types of mesothelioma pericardial is also connected to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a type of naturally found mineral that was used in many common commercial and household items for a long time. The fibers are easily inhaled, swallowed, or caught in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma occurs when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.

Only a handful of doctors have discovered a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they aren't sure the exact mechanism that causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to grow but they do know that about one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is due to the fact that it typically occurs decades after asbestos exposure.

In most cases, a person who is exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma that forms in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they may also develop peritoneal melanoma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma in the testes of males. It can be difficult to determine if pericardial msothelioma is when the symptoms are similar to other heart problems.

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to appear gradually and impact the ability to breathe. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a build-up of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. A doctor can diagnose this condition by performing an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart, or an pericardial biopsy.

A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a patient has the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that could increase the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma include genetics, an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. Patients who have mesothelioma-related family history have an increased risk of developing it as well.

Signs and symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma can also be caused by asbestos fibers reaching the tissue surrounding the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than 1% of all malignant cases of mesothelioma, is most commonly found in those who have been exposed to asbestos in their work environment or within close proximity to people who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma is characterized by many symptoms that are difficult to identify.

When asbestos particles stick to the pericardium lining, they can cause tumors to develop and thicken the membrane. It is believed that this is the reason for mesothelioma asbestos attorney of the pericardium, but doctors aren't aware of how it develops. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer grew from a different part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or lungs (the peritoneum) and then it spread to the lining of the heart.