Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnostic Testing

Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms most often occurring the chest and may be cause doctors to investigate many other possible causes before determining that mesothelioma is the culprit. Pericardial mesothelioma is very rare, making its diagnosis difficult. For those experiencing the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma, any known history of exposure to a carcinogen such as asbestos should be immediately shared with medical professionals. Often, the treatment of pericardial mesothelioma is even more difficult than diagnosis because so little information is available about this type of mesothelioma.

Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms develop after cancer develops in the mesothelium surrounding the heart, also known as the pericardial sac or simply the “pericardium”. The pericardium is a layer of cells that helps to protect the heart from injury during physical activity and normal body functions.

Malignant mesothelioma originating on the heart can extend to other nearby body cavity structures including the chest wall, lungs, esophagus, and lymph nodes. Medical scientists are still unsure about the cause of pericardial mesothelioma, but many surmise that asbestos fibers entering into the blood stream may find their way to the heart.

Once in the heart and over a period of many years, fibers may work their way toward the outer tissue layers of the heart and into the mesothelium where cells become cancerous and begin to cause pericardial mesothelioma symptoms.

Pericardial mesothelioma is the least common form of mesothelioma, though mesothelioma is the third most deadly cancer amongst occupational hazard-related cancers. Early diagnosis is the best way to extend the life-span of a person with mesothelioma. However, pericardial mesothelioma symptoms are often unreported until the cancer has progress far beyond the therapeutic abilities of modern cancer treatments. The latency period between exposure to a carcinogen and the presentation of pericardial mesothelioma symptoms is up to fifty years. When they are presented to a doctor, they are usually the result of severe development of the cancer.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

There are very few reported cases of pericardial mesothelioma; symptoms of this rare asbestos related cancer are not well documented. Based on the reported cases however, pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include common chest and throat symptoms one might associate with other conditions. They may be confused for symptoms of a heart condition, so extra measures must be taken to test for and successfully diagnose pericardial mesothelioma.

Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms are most often caused by swelling around the heart that is indicative of an effusion in the pericardium. Effusion is a condition in which the sac surrounding the heart, which normally secretes serous fluid to lubricate and protect the muscle, witnesses an over-production of fluid. Also, the pericardium may become tightened due to cancer cells that are occupying the space within the pericardium where the fluid is held, leaving the pericardium distended with fluid. The pericardial lining may also thicken, making heart beats more laborious for the muscle.

The most commonly known pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Irregular Heart Beat
• Pain in the Chest
• Heart Murmurs
• Fatigue\Weakness
• Fever, Chills, and Sweating
• Labored or difficult breathing, even when not physically active
• Shortness of breath that is worse when lying down

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis

Diagnosing based on pericardial mesothelioma symptoms alone is impossible. Proper diagnosis of any cancer requires extensive imaging, blood, and tissue sample testing before the accurate condition is concluded. This diagnostic process typically begins with a series of image tests, in which special doctors will take an X-Ray or CT Scan of the chest cavity to search for any abnormalities that may be seen with the human eye. This is when tumors, swelling, or pericardial thickening is most commonly discovered. Once pericardial thickening or another abnormality is presented on an image, doctors are able to determine that this is the source of the symptoms presented by the patient and begin immediately treating the symptoms in some cases. In other cases, further testing is required to determine why the abnormality has occurred in order to also treat the root cause of the symptoms; to prevent symptoms from returning.

There is no known cure for mesothelioma; however treatment to reduce the amount of cancer in the body and therefore extend the life of the individual and reduce the severity of pericardial mesothelioma symptoms is possible. In order to properly treat the cancer, doctors must know the stage to which the cancer has progressed. Further testing is required to attain this information. Blood tests may be recommended to screen for components that hint to the cause of pericardial mesothelioma symptoms.

Based on advanced images of the chest cavity and blood tests, doctors may recommend a biopsy. During a biopsy, a specialized doctor collects a sample of the pericardium in an affected area or removes a very small sample of any tumor growth found on or around the heart. A biopsy may include surgery to open the chest cavity and gain access to the affected area, through which a tiny camera outfitted with cutting and collection equipment may be inserted. In most cases, a thin, long biopsy needle it inserted into the chest between the ribs to draw out a sample of the tissue. The sample is then examined under a microscope to search for cancer cells.