What Is Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma is deadly cancer that affects the tissue lining the heart, commonly known as the pericardium. According to research published in the International Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment, this form of mesothelioma is extremely rare, affecting less than 1% of all malignant mesothelioma cases.
What is the main cause of pericardial mesothelioma?
Due to the lack of documented cases of pericardial mesothelioma, there is little research on the cause. Researchers have, however, identified possible risk factors for pericardial mesothelioma.
Potential Pericardial Mesothelima Risk Factors
- Exposure to Erionite
- Exposure to Radiations
- Thorotrast
- Tuberculosis
- Simian virus 40 infection
What causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
The only known cause of pericardial mesothelioma is asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in commercial and household construction materials for decades.
Many people work in asbestos-related professions. Construction employees, electricians, industrial workers, mechanics, shipbuilders, and veterans in New York and across the United States are more frequently exposed to asbestos, resulting in them having the highest risk of developing mesothelioma pericardial.
However, individuals with little asbestos exposure, such as family members of those who worked with asbestos and brought home microscopic fibers on their clothing or uniforms, have been shown to develop mesothelioma. It’s crucial to remember that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
Despite the fact that asbestos has been established as the sole cause of pericardial and other types of mesothelioma, it is not yet totally prohibited in the United States.
Unfortunately, asbestos is still a major health concern in New York City, New York State, and the Tri-state area.
How does pericardial mesothelioma develop?
When people come into touch with asbestos either by handling materials that contain asbestos or merely being in a location where such items are being worked on they might breathe or consume minute asbestos fibers.
Asbestos fibers can enter the heart’s pericardium and become trapped in the tissue, sticking around for decades before mesothelioma pericardial disease develops. According to researchers, it can take anywhere from 15 to 60 years for mesothelioma pericardial illness to manifest.
These sharp fibers might penetrate the tissues that line the chest cavity, the lungs, the abdominal cavity and organs, and even the heart.
What are the common symptoms?
Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms are usually silent and may be mistaken with other heart or chest problems. Symptoms include:
- Acute coughing
- Constant Cough
- Difficulty in breathing
- Fever
- Fluid in the pericardial space
- Heart palpitations
- Nigh sweating
- Pain in the chest
- Paradoxical pulse
- Weight loss
- Overall weakness
Doctors may not make a pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis right away if the symptoms of mesothelioma pericardial resemble those of other health problems. In the time it takes to correctly identify cancer, the illness may spread rapidly, and the number of available treatment choices may decrease.
How is the diagnosis of Pericardial Mesothelioma made?
Mesothelioma pericardial symptoms may be identified through a physical examination and inquiries regarding a patient’s previous history.
It’s critical for patients to inform their doctor about their past exposure to asbestos since this might assist in determining the next steps to take. The sooner a doctor can make a pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis, the better.
The following tests may be ordered by physicians in order to establish a mesothelioma pericardial diagnosis:
Echocardiogram
This test, which uses sound waves to examine the heart, is often ordered by doctors as a precautionary measure. It might also be used to determine whether a patient has fluid around the heart (also known as pericardial effusion). An echocardiogram can also tell the doctor how well the heart is functioning.
X-Ray, CT Scan, or MRI
Tumors, as well as the location of cancer, can be determined using diagnostic imaging procedures. Their findings are sometimes insufficient to diagnose a mass in the pericardial pleura as mesothelioma.
Pericardiocentesis
A needle is used during a pericardiocentesis procedure to remove fluid from the sac surrounding the heart. The chemical analysis of this fluid can reveal whether it contains cancer cells. Pericardial mesothelioma may be identified by additional testing. These tests, however, are not definitive.
Pericardioscopy
The doctor makes a tiny incision in the skin over the heart and inserts a tube with a camera on it to examine the tissues surrounding the heart in this procedure. During a pericardiotomy, the doctor may collect tissue samples for biopsies.
Potential Misdiagnoses of Pericardial Mesothelioma
- Benign heart tumors (Condition known as Atrialmyxoma)
- Cardiomyopathy (also called as heart muscle disease)
- Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart.
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Various forms of pericarditis
- Heart disease/Heart failure
How Is Pericardial Mesothelioma Treated?
Pericardial mesothelioma can be treated with the same standard treatments used for other types of malignant pleural effusions, such as surgery and chemotherapy. Treatment choices are determined by the disease stage, symptom severity, patient age, and general health of the patient.
Treatment options for pericardial mesothelioma include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Pericardiectomy
- Pericardiocentesis
- Pericardial window
- Removal of Tumors by Surgery
What are the treatment options available?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of cancer that affects the membrane surrounding the heart (pericardium). Benign and malignant pericardial mesotheliomas exist; however, most pericardial mesotheliomas are not discovered early enough for treatment to be considered curative
However, there are pericardial treatment choices that can help the patient live longer or lessen pain. Palliative treatments are considered.
Pericardial mesothelioma treatment options include:
Chemotherapy
This is a common therapy for a variety of malignancies. Although it will not cure pericardial mesothelioma, it may help to slow the disease’s progress and alleviate symptoms. Platinum-based (cisplatin or carboplatin) and pemetrexed chemotherapy are used most often.
Pericardiectomy
This procedure, also known as pericardial stripping, involves the surgical removal of all or a portion of the pericardium. Although the pericardium serves a protective function by protecting the heart against injury, it is not necessary for normal heart activity. Patients survive on an average of six months if the non-cancerous pericardium
Clinical trials
Patients may wish to participate in clinical trials as a possible treatment for pericardial mesothelioma. All the time, medical progress is being made, so patients should talk with their doctors about their treatment choices.
The prognosis for patients with pericardial mesothelioma
What is the prognosis and life expectancy for patients with pericardial mesothelioma?
According to the American Cancer Society, the median survival time for mesothelioma, in general, is 12 to 21 months, depending on when it is diagnosed.
However, according to a study published in the Heart medical journal, patients with mesothelioma pericardial disease had a six-week to 15-month survival time. The prospects may also be influenced by a person’s health, age, gender, and type of cancer cells found.
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, we urge you to join our support network of medical experts, patients, caregivers, and advocates for assistance.
Life Expectancy of a Person With Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma life expectancy varies due to location and cell type.
- The life expectancy rate for pericardial mesothelioma is six months
- The life expectancy rate for pleural mesothelioma is about 18 months
- The life expectancy rate for peritoneal mesothelioma ranges from two to six years.
Pericardial mesothelioma is an uncommon type of cancer that has a somewhat worse prognosis than other types. Patients who have been diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma should talk to a specialist about their treatment choices.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rather uncommon cancer. Approximately 1% of mesothelioma cases are due to this form of the disease. Its prognosis is poor, and patients generally survive for around six months following diagnosis. However, there is ongoing research to find effective therapies for this uncommon mesothelioma variant
Conclusion: Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is rare cancer that affects the outer layer of the heart. There have only been about 200 cases reported, making research difficult. Researchers’ understanding of life expectancy and the most effective treatment continues to develop.
A pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the pericardium’s lining, known as the pericardium. In cases of pericardial mesothelioma, there is anecdotal evidence of other illnesses (such as pleural empyema) hiding the disease.
Cardiac tumors are extremely uncommon. When they do occur, it is usually due to the spread of cancer from another part of the body. Pericardial mesothelioma, on the other hand, has not been linked to cancer metastasis in other areas of the body.