Pericardial Mesothelioma CancerIt is difficult to identify Mesothelioma pericardial because it is rare and difficult for imaging tests to detect. The majority of cases are diagnosed at autopsy.Doctors search for signs and symptoms using physical examinations and imaging tests such as an MRI or echocardiogram. They may also conduct an invasive biopsy to obtain samples of fluid or tissue to be tested.DiagnosisA person who is diagnosed with pericardial asbestosis may suffer from breathing problems and pain, but might not know the reason. The condition is not common and doctors have to perform several tests to determine the cause. The first test is usually an abdominal CT scan, which can reveal the lungs and heart. These scans can reveal a massive tumor in the pericardial lining and help oncologists decide what to do next.A needle biopsy is a different option. It involves inserting a thin, long needle between the ribs of the pleura, and then taking a small amount tissue. It's a straightforward and quick procedure that doesn't require an overnight stay in the hospital. However, this method only yields a small amount of blood which isn't always enough to establish an accurate diagnosis. Doctors can also perform an echocardiogram, an examination that utilizes sound waves to show the movement of fluid around the heart. These tests can help doctors determine whether they should eliminate the excess fluid referred to as a "pericardial effusion".Doctors can ease pressure on the lungs and the heart by draining the fluid. However, they can't ensure that there aren't cancer cells left behind. Ultimately, the only way to know whether a patient is suffering from pericardial mesothelioma is to perform a biopsy. A biopsy is performed by a doctor who removes the tissue sample from an affected area and examines it with a microscope to determine if there is mesothelioma.Patients aren't likely to receive treatment until the disease is advanced enough, as asbestosis in the pericardium is often difficult to spot. In fact, most people are diagnosed with the disease after it has already spread in the body, which is the reason the odds of survival are low.Research continues to find treatments for mesothelioma pericardial. Gene therapy and immunotherapy are two experimental treatments. pleural mesothelioma cancer are designed to boost the immune system to destroy cancerous cells or to treat cancerous tissue by using a medication that makes them photosensitive to light. These methods, though still experimental, may offer new hope to some patients.SymptomsPericardial Mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos, is a cancer of the lining around the heart. About 1 to 5 percent of patients are affected by this type of cancer. It is often misdiagnosed due to its similar symptoms with other diseases like tuberculosis and rheumatoid. This makes it difficult for the patient to manage and treat.Patients with pericardial mesothelioma typically suffer from breathing difficulties, chest pain and weight loss. The reason for this is that the tumor that is located in the pericardium, along with the accumulation of fluid that results can limit the heart's capacity to pump blood. It is also possible to develop a fever and cough. They may also have an underlying heart or lung disease as well as an asbestos-related family history. exposure.The patient is examined to determine if they have pericardial cancer. The doctor will ask about the patient's symptoms and their history of work, to determine what they may have been exposed to.Once the doctor has an understanding of a patient's symptoms, they will request imaging scans. These scans will reveal the pericardium, and determine if there is any buildup of fluid or thickening of the pericardial wall. They will also search for any potential tumors within the pericardium. The scans could comprise an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a CT scan, or computed-tomography scan. They may also include radionuclide imaging which involves injecting the patient with a specific chemical that can be tracked by a radiologist to locate suspected cancerous cells.Mesothelioma patients typically require a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis. When a biopsy is performed, a doctor will take a small piece of the affected tissue and send it to the laboratory for testing. If the biopsy reveals mesothelioma, the doctor will likely perform the procedure known as a pericardiocentesis, which is an procedure that removes fluid the heart area to alleviate symptoms and improve a patient's quality of life.The cost of treatment for mesothelioma may be costly for patients and their family members. However there are financial resources to help patients pay for these costs. Patients can speak to mesothelioma specialists for more information and advice on how to reduce out-of-pocket costs.TreatmentPericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of asbestos-related cancer since the tumors occur in the sac-like lining that surrounds the heart (pericardium). The lowest survival rate of all mesothelioma forms is due to the difficulty of diagnosing the condition and the proximity of the heart.Patients with mesothelioma must seek medical attention when they experience chest pain or breathing difficulties. Doctors can use a combination treatments to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients who have been diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma.Doctors may suggest imaging tests like an X-ray or CT scan to discover the cause of their symptoms. A mesothelioma biopsy is a more invasive procedure that could provide doctors with mesothelioma samples for confirmation of a diagnosis. Percutaneous balloon-pericardiotomy is a procedure that allows doctors to drain fluid from the pericardial cavity.The majority of pericardial treatments are considered in the form of palliative treatments, similar to other mesothelioma treatment options. These treatments can help ease symptoms and prolong life however they cannot cure the disease.A pericardiocentesis treatment is a procedure that uses needles to eliminate excess fluid from the region. In this procedure, surgeons utilize an echocardiogram to identify the area where fluid has accumulated within the pouch pericardial. A catheter is attached to a needle to drain the excess liquid. This can reduce the pressure that can interfere the heart's function.Another alternative is a pericardiectomy. This is which is a procedure that involves the complete or partial removal of the pericardium. This procedure is designed to lessen the irritation that can cause pericardial effusions. It also aids in easing constriction in other organs of the thoracic like veins and lungs.The root causes of pericardial mesothelioma have not been determined, but it is believed to be connected to asbestos exposure, just like pleural mesothelioma. There is no way to know how asbestos fibers move from lung tissue to the pericardium. However, there are some theories. For instance mesothelioma's cells could migrate from the lungs to the heart or vice versa.Because of its rarity, mesothelioma of the pericardium does not have an official staging system. Doctors determine the severity of a patient's condition using general guidelines for staging cancer.PrognosisPericardial mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those seen in other heart diseases, which makes it challenging for physicians to recognize this rare cancer. Asbestos exposure can take between 10 and 50 years to cause the pericardial cancer. Doctors usually discover the disease in an advanced stage based on symptoms and health history.When a patient presents with symptoms, including chest pain, breathing problems and heart palpitations, doctors can utilize imaging tests to assess the health of their lungs, heart and other areas of the body. These tests include X-rays CT scans, and echocardiograms. To diagnose pericardial pericardioma, doctors look for the presence of fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion) or visible tumors. Blood tests can also be performed to confirm the diagnosis and help doctors determine the stage of mesothelioma in a patient.The mesothelioma stage will determine the treatment options available and how successful the surgery will be. Due to the rareness of the disease, doctors do not have a formal mesothelioma stage system, and instead rely on the general guidelines for staging cancer.In some cases the pericardial smetoloma disease can be successfully treated by combining surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments. However, patients in the advanced stages of the disease may have limited options for treatment and a negative prognosis.Pericardial mesothelioma is most likely to affect those between 50 and 70, with males more commonly affected than women. It is also more prevalent for veterans who were exposed asbestos at military bases.Veterans who are affected can receive financial assistance for mesothelioma treatments through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA benefits may also cover expenses for travel, lodging and other expenses for caregiving for the patient as well as their loved relatives. This assistance can help reduce 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 contact the VA or visit a local VA office. The VA also offers support groups for those suffering from mesothelioma and their families. These support groups offer emotional and practical advice to help you cope with a diagnosis of mesothelioma.