Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the pericardium that covers and protects the heart. Some experts believe that during the inhalation of asbestos fibers into the lungs, some fibers through bloodstream may get stuck in the pericardium. After a long period of time, the asbestos fibers cause the cells of the pericardium to undergo changes that may result in cancer. Once cells become malignant it multiply rapidly, these malignant cells continue to grow and lead to pericardial thickening and eventually leads to development of tumor. Fluids starts accumulating in the pericardial membrane which, combined with the thickening of the layers, puts pressure on the heart.
Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma: Pericardial mesothelioma is the rare cancer of all mesothelioma. It is very difficult to diagnose also, as their symptoms resembles with hear disease. A pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis may require a variety of tests to confirm the presence of cancer. Most symptoms of mesothelioma are caused by fluid in pericardium and thickening of pericardial layers.
These are the following symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma:
Pericardial Mesothelioma diagnosis: Following these initial steps, a variety of imaging tests may be required to determine exactly where cancer is located. The final stage of diagnosis typically involves a biopsy to confirm the point of origin of the cancer. A biopsy involves the removal of tissue or fluid from the pericardium, followed by laboratory tests of the tissue and fluid to confirm the presence of mesothelioma. X-Rays, CT Scans, and biopsy’s are often used to help diagnose pericardial mesothelioma.
Treatment of Pericardial Mesothelioma: Treatment of pericardial mesothelioma is very difficult but it is always diagnosed in later stage. Surgery is possible to in early stage of pericardial mesothelioma to remove cancer cells. Palliative treatment is good for these patients. This type of treatment is performed to improve a patient's quality of life, and reduce the severity of symptoms caused by the build-up of fluid in the pericardium. Fine needle aspiration may be carried out to remove excess fluid as well. In some cases, radiation therapy may be an option. Unfortunately, the proximity of the heart and lungs make this a risky prospect.