How much do you know about pericardial mesothelioma ?

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Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare form of mesothelioma. It affects the pericardium, which is a very thin lining of tissue that surrounds the heart.

Of all forms of mesothelioma cancer, pericardial mesothelioma is the least common.

It accounts for only about 5% of all diagnosed cases nationwide. Why is this so ? Well, asbestos is mostly inhaled (into the lungs obviously) so the most common form of mesothelioma happens to be pleural mesothelioma. The pleura is the lining of the lungs. The method by which these asbestos fibres travel to the lining of the pericardium hasn't been clearly determined.

Symptoms tend to be similar to other forms of cancer but the most common are heart palpitations, and this is why pericardial mesothelioma is sometimes a very difficult cancer to diagnose. As with any form of cancer, early detection is important. Surgery can have extremely effective results if found early enough. Unfortunately, pericardial mesothelioma is diagnosed often too late, leading to a low survival rate in patients stricken with the illness. Due to the usually tardive detection, prognosis can have disappointing results, anything from 6 weeks to 15 months.

If left untreated, pericardial mesothelioma can lead to cardiac arrest, due to the the unnatural constriction of the heart - which arises from an expanded pericardium.

If you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, and are still asymptomatic, it would best best to visit a doctor, preferably a cardiologist. They can then check for any irregularities.

It is possible to get compensation for mesothelioma, and people have been awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in past settlements. What's important is to look for the right mesothelioma attorney.

Learn how and why pericardial mesothelioma occurs.