Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma and one of the rarest forms of cancer. Virtually all pericardial mesothelioma cases are believed to be caused by asbestos exposure, whether at home, at work, or somewhere else.

Pericardial mesothelioma is developed within a membrane covering and providing protection for the heart known as the pericardium. Pericardial mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers have been inhaled into the lungs and travel into the heart.

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma

One complication with the pericardial mesothelioma symptoms is that they often appear similarly to other heart conditions, so it can be hard to diagnose pericardial mesothelioma right away. There are, however, numerous tests which a doctor may administer in order to confirm or deny whether a patient is suffering from pericardial mesothelioma. Treatment options vary but include chemotherapy and surgery.

Similarly to other manifestations of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma symptoms typically don’t appear until the later stages of the cancer’s development. A thorough and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Every form of asbestos-related cancer shows a certain dormancy period in which the asbestos fibers are meticulously damaging the body’s cells. Usually, it is years or even decades before the asbestos has caused enough damage at the cellular level to result in disease like pericardial mesothelioma.

As soon as the infiltration of cancerous cells has taken place, the reproduction of those cancerous cells can lead to a rapid deterioration and accumulation of tumors. At this point, when the cancerous cells are rapidly reproducing, the patient will typically begin to see pericardial mesothelioma symptoms.

The majority of pericardial mesothelioma symptoms are a result of the build-up of fluid and thickening of the pericardial layers.

Below are some potential symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma. Note that they could also apply to other heart conditions.

• Chest pain
• Orthopnea (dyspnea which occurs when lying down)
• Difficulty breathing, even when at rest (dyspnea)
• Murmurs
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Cough
• Fever or night sweats