Pericardial Mesothelioma Cancer
It is difficult to determine Mesothelioma of the pericardium because it is rare and difficult for imaging tests to detect. Most cases are diagnosed only during autopsy.
Doctors search for signs and symptoms through physical examinations and imaging tests such as an MRI or echocardiogram. They may also perform biopsy to obtain a sample of tissue or fluid to be tested.
Diagnosis
The person diagnosed with pericardial asbestosis may experience pain and breathing difficulties, but may not know the cause. The condition is rare, and doctors must perform a number of tests to determine the cause. The first test is often an chest CT scan, which shows the lungs and heart. The scans can reveal a massive tumor in the pericardial lining and can aid oncologists in deciding what they should do next.
Doctors might also take a needle biopsy, which involves passing a long, thin needle through the chest's skin between the ribs and the pleura and removing a small piece of tissue. Using numbing medicine, this is usually an easy procedure that doesn't require an overnight stay in a hospital. This method produces only one small amount of blood but it isn't enough to identify a problem. Doctors may also perform an echocardiogram that uses sound waves to measure the flow of fluids around the heart. The results of these tests could sometimes help doctors decide whether to remove the excess fluid, also known as a pericardial effusion.
Doctors can relieve pressure from the lungs and heart by draining the fluid. However, they are unable to assure that there won't be cancerous cells left behind. The only way to determine whether a patient suffers from pericardial mesothelioma is to perform a biopsy. A biopsy is carried out by a physician who removes tiny pieces of tissue from the affected region and examines it under a microscope to look for mesothelioma.
Patients aren't likely to receive treatment until the condition is too advanced, since pericardial asbestosis is often difficult to spot. Most patients are diagnosed after the cancer has spread to the body. This is the reason why survival rates are so low.
Research continues to find treatments for mesothelioma pericardial. Immunotherapy and gene therapy are two experimental treatments. These methods are designed to boost the immune response to kill cancer cells, or to treat cancerous tissue by using a drug that makes them photosensitive. Although these methods are still in the early stages, they might offer new hope for some patients.
Symptoms
Pericardial Mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer caused by asbestos, is a cancer of the lining around the heart. It accounts for about 1 to 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases. It is often misdiagnosed since it is characterized by similar symptoms to other diseases, such as tuberculosis or rheumatoid arthritis. This makes it difficult for patients to manage and treat.
Patients with pericardial mesothelioma typically have difficulty breathing chest pain, and weight loss. This is due to the tumor and the subsequent fluid buildup in the pericardium can restrict the heart's ability to pump blood. It is also possible to develop a fever and cough. They may also have a history of lung or heart disease and a family history of asbestos exposure.
The first step in determining mesothelioma of the pericardium involves undergoing a physical examination. The doctor will inquire about the patient's symptoms and their work history to determine what they might have been exposed to.
If the doctor has a clear knowledge of the patient's condition, they'll order an imaging scan. They will look at the pericardium and determine whether there is any fluid buildup or the pericardial lining is thickening. They will also look for any potential tumors within the pericardium. These scans may include an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart or a CT or computed tomography, scan. They could also include radionuclide imaging which involves injecting the patient with a particular chemical that is tracked by a radiotherapist to identify suspected cancer cells.
Mesothelioma patients generally require biopsy to confirm their diagnosis. During a tissue biopsy, the doctor will take a small portion of the affected area and send it to a lab to test for mesothelioma cells. If the biopsy reveals mesothelioma the doctor can perform a procedure referred to as a pericardiocentesis. This is a procedure to eliminate fluid from the region surrounding the heart to alleviate symptoms and enhance the quality of life for the patient.
The cost of treatment for mesothelioma may be costly for patients and their family members. However there are financial resources to help patients pay the costs. Patients can talk to mesothelioma experts for more details and advice on how to reduce out-of pocket costs.
Treatment
Pericardial Mesothelioma is the most rare asbestos-related cancer, is found in the pericardium (the sac-like lining that surrounds the heart). It has the lowest survival rate of all mesothelioma types due to the difficulty doctors have diagnosing this disease and its proximity to the heart.
Patients with mesothelioma should seek medical attention when they experience chest pain or difficulty breathing. If lung disease mesothelioma are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma doctors can recommend an array of treatments to ease symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Doctors may suggest imaging tests, such as an X scan or CT scan, to identify the root of the symptoms. A mesothelioma biopsy is an invasive test that can provide doctors with samples of mesothelioma in order to confirm the diagnosis. Percutaneous balloon-pericardiotomy, is a method that allows doctors to remove fluid from the pericardial cavities.
The majority of pericardial treatments are palliative, just like all other mesothelioma therapies. These treatments help alleviate symptoms and prolong life but they don't treat the disease.
A pericardiocentesis is performed using needles to remove excess fluid. During this procedure, surgeons utilize an echocardiogram to locate the area where fluid has accumulated in the pouch pericardial. A catheter is then attached to a needle to eliminate the excess fluid which can ease pressure that could interfere with the heart's ability to function.
A pericardiectomy is an alternative. This involves the partial or complete removal of the pericardium. This procedure is designed to lessen inflammation that causes pericardial effusions. It also helps ease constriction of other organs in the thoracic system such as lungs and veins.
The underlying cause of pericardial mesothelioma has not been determined, but it is believed to be related to exposure to asbestos just like mesothelioma of the pleural region. There is no way of knowing the path that asbestos fibers travel from the lung tissue into the pericardium. However there are theories. For example mesothelioma's cells may migrate from the lungs to heart or vice versa.
Because of its rarity, pericardial mesothelioma does not have a formal staging system. Doctors rely on general cancer staging guides to assess the extent of their patient's disease.
Prognosis
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that has symptoms similar to many other heart conditions. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify. It could take between 10 and 50 years for asbestos exposure to cause mesothelioma pericardial and the condition is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage by doctors based on the patient's health history and signs.
Doctors may use imaging tests in cases where a patient is suffering from symptoms like chest pain, difficulty in breathing, or heart palpitations to assess the health of the lungs, heart, and other parts of the human body. These tests include X-rays, CT scans and echocardiograms. Doctors search for a buildup of fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion) or visible tumors to diagnose mesothelioma pericardial. Blood tests are also used to confirm the diagnosis and help doctors determine the stage of mesothelioma in a patient.
The mesothelioma stage determines the treatment options available and how successful the surgery will be. However, due to the rarity of pericardial mesothelioma doctors don't have a formal staging procedure for this kind of mesothelioma and often use general cancer-staging guidelines.
In some instances mesothelioma of the pericardium can be successfully treated through the combination of surgical and chemotherapy treatments. Patients who are in the final stages of this disease are limited in their options for treatment, and could also have a low chance of survival.
Men are more likely to be affected than women between the ages 50 and 70. It is also more prevalent for veterans who were exposed to asbestos at military bases.
Veterans affected by mesothelioma are eligible for financial assistance for their treatment through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA benefits can also cover expenses for travel, lodging and other expenses for caregiving for the patient and loved family members. This aid can help ease the financial burden of mesothelioma treatment as well as improve a patient's quality of life. To find out more about how to access these benefits you can contact the VA or visit the local VA office. There are also support groups for mesothelioma sufferers and their families that are available through the VA. These support groups can offer practical and emotional support on how to cope with mesothelioma-related diagnosis.