Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that is caused due to inhalation of asbestos dust. Those who have been diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma have developed cancerous tissue around the membrane that surrounds the heart. The pericardium is an important function of the body, because it acts like a fluid filled “bag” that protects the heart.
Pericardial mesothelioma is considered one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is normally caused by the amount of exposure to asbestos. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can be very dangerous for your health and often lead to damage in different areas in the body. Like many forms of mesothelioma, symptoms may take many years to see now. Those who came into contact with asbestos in their homes or work environments for over thirty years are more likely to develop health complications that can be potentially fatal.
When mesothelioma is diagnosed, it is generally in the later stages. It represents about 5% of all cases. Its latency (time it takes for symptoms to show) is about 30-50 years. Symptoms are similar to other diseases such as pneumonia while in the early stages. It is therefore quite difficult to diagnose and treat.This makes it more difficult for physicians to determine appropriate treatment methods and the patient runs the risk of becoming resistant to certain types of drugs. Doctors can determine the possible ways to remove the cancer or just improve the quality of life of the patient.
Decisions that are taken out of pericardial mesothelioma are made by evaluating factors such as age, physical condition and stage the cancer is if a person believes he or she has been in contact with the asbestos, it is important to receive medical examination and discuss their full medical history and work.
Most patients who are suffering from pericardial mesothelioma are able to receive benefits and legal assistance on their cases. In most cases, there are individuals who have been exposed from the workplace and compensation may be granted to them for their injuries.
Written by admin on January 11th, 2012 with no comments.
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Pleural mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor involving the mesothelial cells that make up the pleura or lining around the outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs. It can also affect the heart and stomach. Pleural mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, including chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, or that took place twenty years or more before the disease becomes evident. These fibers are ingested into the body by breathing or swallowing. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for about 75% of cases.
Plural types of Mesothelioma
“Localized and benign” Mesothelioma is not life threatening and can be removed by surgery.
“Diffuse and malignant” Mesothelioma is a cancer that usually leads to death within one year of diagnosis.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma
The pain of the chest wall, pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung shortness of breath, weight loss, fatigue or anemia wheezing, hoarseness, or cough and blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed. Patients may develop many tumor masses. Patients may experience pneumothorax or collapsed lung. The disease may spread or metastases to other parts of the body.
Stages of pleural mesothelioma
There are four stages of the disease. Localized cancer from pleural mesothelioma – stage I, cancer is on the membrane surface where it originated in Phase IV; advanced. In this last stage, the cancer has (metastasize) to extend beyond the surface of the membrane of origin to other parts of the body such as lymph nodes, lungs, chest, or abdominal organs.
Screening and diagnosis
Doctors first review the patient’s medical history, including any exposure to asbestos. The doctor may perform a physical examination is complete. Doctors may then go x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. These tests include various imaging tests such as CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI.
A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer. Doctors perform a thoracoscopy in patients with symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. This procedure involves making a small incision in the chest wall inserted a thin tube called a thoracoscope and enlightened in the chest between two ribs. Doctors suck fluid access into the lungs by a procedure called thoracentesis. They can then obtain tissue samples for analysis. Other types of tube insertions include bronchoscopy or mediastinoscopy
Treatment Options
Some of the most widely used treatments now.
Surgical removal of the whole lung and part of the chest wall, diaphragm and part of the sac surrounding the heart.
Radiotherapy is applied to the sites of insertion of chest tube to prevent the growth of the tumor along the track in the chest wall. Although not particularly successful, the radiation is preformed to relieve symptoms arising from tumor growth, such as obstruction of a major blood vessel.
Chemotherapy is used to stop cancer cells to proliferate and divide.
It is important to note that there are no effective treatments for mesothelioma to date. Patients generally have a median survival of 6 to 12 months after presentation of symptoms.
Written by admin on January 4th, 2012 with no comments.
Read more articles on Mesothelioma Stages and Mesothelioma Types.