How To Explain Mesothelioma And Asbestos To Your Grandparents
Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial Mesothelioma can be found in 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 mimic other ailments.
These symptoms can take years to develop following asbestos exposure 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 surrounds the heart, known as the pericardium. This is a rare form of mesothelioma which accounts for 1% to 2 percent of all cases. Like all mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was extensively used in a myriad of commercial and household items. Its fibers can be easily inhaled, swallowed, or caught in the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils cause irritation and create tumors.
Only a few doctors have discovered a connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pericardia. Although they do not know what causes asbestos-related cancer of the pericardium, they do know that around one quarter of mesothelioma patients are affected. This is due to the fact that it usually occurs decades after exposure to asbestos.
In most instances, an individual exposed to asbestos will develop pleural mesothelioma. It is found in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. However, they can also develop peritoneal mesothelioma, found in the abdomen, or testicular mesothelioma, in the testes of males. It is sometimes difficult to identify pericardial mesothelioma when the symptoms are similar to those of other heart diseases.
Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma attorney tend to come on gradually and impact breathing. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems and a swell of fluid around the heart referred to as pericardial effusion. This condition is diagnosed by a doctor with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine whether a patient has this rare form of disease and guide them to the most effective treatment. In addition to asbestos exposure other factors that may increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics and an impaired immune system, and radiation exposure. People with mesothelioma-related family history are at a higher risk of developing it as well.
Signs and symptoms
Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is found most often in people exposed to asbestos in their work environment or in close proximity to those who have been affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma can have various symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose.
Pericardial mesothelioma can occur when asbestos particles stick to the pericardial lining and begin to develop tumors that thicken the membrane. Doctors don't know how pericardial cancer develops, however, they believe asbestos particles are the cause. The majority of doctors believe that the cancer spread from a different part of the body like the abdomen, lungs (peritoneum) and finally to the lining inside the heart.
The lining of the abdomen and chest are called the mesothelium, which is the primary site for mesothelioma tumors to grow. The disease may also begin in the lining of the peritoneum or in the testicles, though this is far 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 illnesses that cause chest pain, difficulty breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In a few cases, pericardial mesothelioma may cause clubbing of the fingers the condition where the fingers expand and appear rounder than usual.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma of pericardium based on a patient's medical history. They will ask the patient about their previous asbestos exposure and will perform imaging tests like radiographs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram in order to examine the pericardium. They will also collect a fluid or tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare condition that is not recognized by many doctors, can trigger serious symptoms. Patients should report all symptoms to their physician to be tested for mesothelioma and other diseases. The taking of our Symptom Checklist along to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing and can accurately diagnose you.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose. Its symptoms are often akin to other heart conditions that are more common and may not appear until the disease has progressed in a significant way. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur years before pericardial mesothelioma appears, making the link hard to recognize. Anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos 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 irritated tissues mutate into cancerous cells, which then develop into tumors. Fluid builds up around the heart as a result of the tumors, and the resulting pressure causes stress on the organ and causes symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are usually performed first by doctors to detect any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests of blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spread of cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma patients must also be prepared to discuss their occupational medical history with a doctor. Asbestos workers are at a higher chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses which include lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have had an asbestos-related past could be eligible for compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit (appc.cctvdgrw.Com).
A lawyer who has experience in asbestos litigation will help you understand the legal options available to you if you or someone you love has been exposed asbestos and developed pericardial mesothelioma. Call Madeksho Law Firm for a free consultation today. There is no charge unless we can get compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families with asbestos-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the laws that apply to asbestos victims, and can help you receive the benefits you deserve. Get started on your claim today by filling out our online form or by calling us. We will help you through the entire process. Contact us at 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits you have available to you.
Treatment
Doctors must conduct physical exams and ask patients questions about their asbestos exposure to determine if pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer. They can then use a variety of tests including X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and Biopsies to locate the symptoms.
Asbestos fibers can take as long as 60 years to reach the lining in the heart, causing cancerous cells. It is essential that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms consult a doctor promptly because of the long time of latency. They should also be honest about their previous exposure to asbestos to ensure they get the best treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma lawyer (PM), one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, accounts for less than 1% of all cases of mesothelioma diagnosed. This is due in part to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition since it can mimic other heart diseases or signs.
A doctor will first assess the patient and listen to their breathing and heartbeat. The doctor can also request an CT or MRI scan of the chest in order to detect tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they find fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they will likely require an echocardiogram in order to determine how the heart is working and to determine whether there is any lining thickening.
Once the doctor has concluded that there is fluid buildup or a tumor in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the tumor is malignant. In the course of the biopsy, doctors will remove small samples of fluid or tissue and send them to a lab for further analysis.
Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatments than other types, a majority of patients will not be able to recover from the cancer. However, there are some new treatments being developed which could provide better results for patients. Gene therapy is one such method. It involves adding or eliminating certain genes from the body of a patient to combat certain diseases. Another option is immunotherapy, which seeks to strengthen the immune system of a patient to fight cancer.