Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is one form of asbestos-related cancer. This type of mesothelioma affects the pericardium, which is the lining around the heart muscle. It also can affect the membranes of the lungs. This is a rare form of mesothelioma, which in itself is a rare disease. Pericardial tumors are typically diffuse, meaning they are not localized and tend to cover most all of the heart.

Pericardical mesothelioma makes up about half of all pericardial tumors. Research states that this form of cancer accounts for approximately 1 to 6 percent of all mesotheliomas. This form of cancer is so rare that fewer than 150 cases have been used in medical literature, and just 200 cases have been reported worldwide.

Causes of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Like other forms of mesothelioma, the most commen cause by far is long periods of exposure to asbestos dust and fibers. This dust is a byproduct of the construction, upkeep, and repair of things that contain asbestos. It is thought that these asbestos fibers break down in the lungs and are sent through the bloodstream into the pericardium and serous membranes. The lymphatic system may also play a part in the spread of the asbestos fibers to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Being exposed to asbestos does not result in mesothelioma right away. The symptoms can take 20 to 50 years to manifest and may not even occur until the later stages of the disease. That is why it is important to understand what the symptoms are so that diagnosis can be made as early as possible.

Many of the pericardial mesothelioma symptoms are the same as for pleural mesothelioma and they include:

Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Chronic cough
Fatigue after only light exertion
Heart palpitations
Irregullar heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Murmurs
Fever or night sweats
Difficulty breathing, even when at rest (dyspnea)
Orthopnea (difficulty breathing when lying down)
These symptoms are a result of the fluid that is built up around the heart caused by the cancerous tumor and are not direct symptoms of the mesothelioma itself. The symptoms that are specific to pericardial mesothelioma are low blood pressure, fainting, fluid retention in the legs, and heart palpitations.

Diagnosing the Disease

Anyone who experiences the symptoms described here should see a doctor immediately. The first part of treatment for pericardial mesothelioma is getting a fast and correct diagnosis.

Getting to an accurate diagnosis begins with a medical history, which includes questions about possible exposure to mesothelioma. The next logical step is to conduct imaging tests, beginning with an X-ray to get an understanding of the heart’s health. After the X-ray, a CT scan and MRI will likely be conducted. A biopsy of the affected tissue is often used to confirm or rule out the presence of mesothelioma in the lining of the heart.

Researchers are looking for new and more accurate ways to test for mesothelioma. New methods may make the chances of early detection more likely.

Treating the Pericardial Mesothelioma

Treatment can begin after a confirmed diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma. Since there is no cure for mesothelioma, treatment is limited to procedures that may prolong the patient’s life and make the patient more comfortable in the time that is left. Research is ongoing to find new methods to treat and even cure mesothelioma.

Treatment options include radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and medication. The disease must be caught in the early stages before surgery is a viable option. Radiation is quite successful and is used to kill the cancer cells and to shrink the tumor. Chemotherapy is normally the second options but does have side effects.

There are procedures used quite often that remove the fluid that has built up in the lining of the heart or chest. While they do not treat the disease itself, these procedures are successful in relieving the pain that the fluid can cause.