Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is a less common form of asbestos-related cancer. In fact, only about 200 cases of this form of mesothelioma cancer have been reported worldwide. While rare, this form of cancer is aggressive and fatal when it does develop.
Pericardial mesothelioma targets the lining of the heart, the pericardium, which surrounds, protects, and supports this vital organ. This lining is made of two layers, one that lines the heart itself and another that lines the entire chest cavity. In a patient with pericardial mesothelioma, most pericardial tumors that develop are diffuse, covering most of the heart, rather than localized to one specific area.
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms
The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma often resemble those of other heart conditions, making this type of cancer difficult to diagnose without a series of tests. However, patients who have been exposed to asbestos in the past, and subsequently develop any of the symptoms described below, may wish to seek medical attention from those qualified to test for and diagnose mesothelioma cancers.
Possible symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma:
- Irregular heart beat and heart palpitations
- Murmurs
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing, including when at rest or lying down
- Cough
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
Many of these pericardial mesothelioma symptoms develop as a result of thickening and fluid build-up in the pericardial lining of the heart cavity.
Pericardial Mesothelioma Diagnosis
While diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult, a variety of tests can be used to determine if these symptoms are caused by mesothelioma or another heart condition. Doctors can perform CT scans, X-rays, MRI, and other diagnostic tests. If, after these tests, pericardial mesothelioma is suspected, doctors can perform a biopsy to test the pericardial lining and surrounding tissues or fluidsfor malignancy. This can help to determine the origin of the cancer and to confirm a pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis.
Pericardial Mesothelioma Treatment
A number of factors will determine the best course of treatment for a patient newly diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, including location, size, and stage of cancer, age, overall health, and more. Typically, surgery is not a viable treatment option for pericardial mesothelioma, though there are some exceptions when the cancer is caught early. Because pericardial mesothelioma is aggressive and there is no cure, most treatments are intended to be palliative, which means that they are administered to provide comfort and relief from symptoms. Palliative treatments are geared toward increasing quality of life for patients with pericardial mesothelioma.
