Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma

The rarest form of the disease, pericardial mesothelioma makes up no more than 6% of all cases of mesothelioma. To date, approximately 200 cases of pericardial mesothelioma have been reported across the globe. In these patients, the asbestos-related cancer forms in the pericardium.

The pericardium is a sac or membrane surrounding the heart that provides support and protection to the organ. The membrane is made up of two layers--the parietal and visceral layer. The parietal layer lines the entire chest cavity, while the visceral layer lines the heart.

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is often hard to diagnose, as its symptoms mimic several other heart conditions. A patient suffering from pericardial mesothelioma may have to undergo several tests before receiving a diagnosis.

Most symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are caused by a fluid buildup and thickening of the membranes. These symptoms may include:

• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweats

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, see a doctor immediately. Mesothelioma patients who receive an early diagnosis of the disease typically fare better than those who wait for treatment.

Diagnosis

A patient experiencing pericardial mesothelioma symptoms will be asked to provide a thorough medical history and undergo a physical exam. After these initial steps, the doctor will use a variety of imaging scans, such as x-rays, to look inside the body. In most cases, the physician will utilize an MRI which has been the most effective in assessing the disease and determining its spread. Lastly, the doctor will take a biopsy from the pericardium to confirm the origin of the cancer.

Causes

It is well-known that asbestos exposure is the cause of mesothelioma. However, scientists are still unsure of exactly how asbestos exposure causes pericardial mesothelioma. Some researchers believe that asbestos fibers travel through the bloodstream after being inhaled. Unfortunately, no evidence has been found to support this theory.

While experts are still unsure of how asbestos fibers travel to the pericardium, they do know what happens once they become stuck there. Once asbestos fibers become lodged in the pericardium, the body has trouble extracting these fibers. Therefore, asbestos fibers can remain in the pericardium for decades before symptoms appear.

After several decades have passed, the asbestos fibers begin to causes irregular cell changes in the pericardium. As cancerous pericardial mesothelioma cells grow, the pericardial membrane thickens, causing tumors. Both the tumors and the fluid buildup between the pericardial layers put pressure on the heart. Because of this, many patients with pericardial mesothelioma experience trouble breathing and chest pain.

If you have been diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, you are now aware of the physical and financial ramifications of this disease. You don't have to suffer alone. Fill out our free case evaluation form today to find out how our mesothelioma lawyers can help you.