How To Explain Mesothelioma And Asbestos To Your Grandparents
Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, which is a part of the lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma typically produces symptoms such as chest discomfort or fatigue, which can mimic other health conditions. These symptoms may take years to develop after exposure to asbestos and can be difficult to diagnose. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to ensure a correct diagnosis. What is the cause of pericardial mesothelioma? Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin membrane lining the heart. It is among the rarest mesothelioma types which accounts for about 1 to 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Like all types of mesothelioma, the pericardial type is also associated with asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in many common household and commercial products for a long time. The toxic fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and can be caught in the chest's lining and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma forms when the fibrils become irritated and form tumors that then spread throughout the body. Doctors have only identified an association between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in a few cases. Although they do not know the exact mechanism that causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium to develop, they do know that about one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is partly because it usually occurs decades after exposure to asbestos. In the majority of instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos may develop pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lungs and lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, located in the abdomen or testicular mesothelioma, in the male testes. It is sometimes difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma when the symptoms are similar to other heart conditions. The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma tend to develop gradually and affect breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing and a fluid buildup around the heart called pericardial effusion. centennial asbestos law firm is diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy. A mesothelioma expert can determine if a patient suffers from this rare form of disease and guide them to the most effective treatment. Other factors, such as genetics, a weak immune system, and radiation exposure, can increase the risk for mesothelioma pericardial. Those who have a family history of mesothelioma have an increased risk of developing it as well. Symptoms Pericardial mesothelioma also occurs by asbestos fibers affecting the heart's tissues. This rare type of cancer, which makes up less than 1percent of mesothelioma that is malignant is typically found in people exposed to asbestos in their work environment or within close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma in the pericardium can be different and mimic other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose. As asbestos particles attach to the pericardium's lining, they can cause tumors to grow and increase the thickness of the membrane. Doctors do not know how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from another part of the body, such as the abdominal cavity, the lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining of the heart. The mesothelium is the lining for the abdomen and chest. This is the area where the majority of mesothelioma tumours develop. The disease can also begin in the linings of the peritoneum and testicles. However it is not as common. After exposure to asbestos, symptoms of mesothelioma can take years to manifest. These symptoms are typically similar to other illnesses and may include chest pain, difficulty breathing and weight loss, fatigue, and an ongoing cough. In a few instances, pericardial mesothelioma may cause clubbing of the fingers, a condition in which the fingertips swell and appear more round than normal. Doctors determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer the patient's medical history and symptoms. They will inquire with the patient about any asbestos exposure, and then perform imaging tests like radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to look at the pericardium. To confirm the diagnosis they will also collect a sample of fluid or tissue. Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare condition, and a lot of doctors do not recognize the signs. It is important for patients to disclose all symptoms to their doctor so that they can be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment can ensure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and correctly diagnose you. Diagnosis Pericardial mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify. Symptoms often mimic more common heart diseases and may not appear until the condition has advanced substantially. In addition, exposure to asbestos can happen decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the link hard to recognize. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should consult their doctor about any symptoms that could be due to asbestos. Doctors do not know the reason for the pericardial msothelioma. They believe it is caused by asbestos fibers which migrate from the lung to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue. As time passes the tissues affected by irritation transform into cancerous cells which develop into tumors. As a result of tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure causes symptoms. X-rays or CT scans are generally done by doctors first to detect any tumors or excessive fluids. Then they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma and determine the extent of any spread of the cancerous cells. Mesothelioma patients should be prepared to discuss their employment history with a physician. asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits. If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and has diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can assist you to know your legal options. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no fee unless we collect compensation on your behalf. The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws affecting asbestos victims and can assist you in obtaining the benefits you deserve. Fill out our claim online form or call us to begin. We will walk you through the entire process from beginning to the point of completion. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. Download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you. Treatment To properly diagnose pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and inquire with patients about their asbestos exposure history. They can then utilize different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs. It can take as long as 60 years for asbestos fibers reach the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. It is essential that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms consult a doctor as soon as possible due to the long latency period. They should also be honest about their prior exposure to asbestos to ensure they receive the most effective treatment. Pericardial mesothelioma, or pericardial mes the rarest types of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases identified. This is mainly due to the difficulty of diagnosing this disease since it can be a symptom of other heart conditions or signs. A doctor will first look over the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor might also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to check for tumors and areas of swelling. If they discover fluid in the pericardium they will order an echocardiogram. This will be used to evaluate the heart's functioning and to determine whether the lining has become thicker. Once the doctor has concluded that there is a buildup of fluid or a tumor in the pericardium, they will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure doctors take small pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further analysis. Since pericardial mesothelioma offers an enumeration of treatment options than other types of cancer, a large percentage of patients will not be able to recover from the cancer. However, there are new treatments being developed that could offer better outcomes for patients. One such approach is gene therapy, which is the process of adding or removing genes from a body in order to fight diseases. Immunotherapy is another option which aims to build an individual's immunity to fight cancer.