Pericardial Mesothelioma Causes
Pericardial mesothelioma pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of asbestos cancer that develops in the pericardium a membrane that lines the heart.
Pericardial mesothelioma causes. It is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma accounting for 1 2 of all diagnoses. The buildup of excess fluid in the pericardial sac pericardial effusion and thickening of the pericardium cause many of the symptoms of this disease. The primary cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains a mystery. Researchers confirm the pleural and peritoneal types are primarily caused by exposure to asbestos yet the causes of the pericardial type are less definitive.
Dyspnea or difficulty breathing. The only known cause of pericardial mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in common household and industrial building products for decades. Having a family history of this cancer and being exposed to asbestos over a long period of time are the two strongest risk factors. Asbestos is a mineral that s found naturally in the environment.
Some patients have extended their life expectancy more than a year with the right treatment. This is particularly true when the tumors begin in young people. Most mesotheliomas are thought to be related to asbestos exposure. Common clinical manifestations of pericardial mesothelioma are constrictive pericarditis pericardial effusion cardiac tamponade and heart failure caused by myocardial infiltration.
Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare. Further symptoms may arise due to compression of coronary arteries and local spread into the surrounding great vessels. There may be a component of environmental or genetic factors but pericardial mesothelioma is simply too rare to be certain. While pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomas are strongly associated with asbestos exposure the link is weaker with pericardial mesothelioma.
Symptoms caused by pericardial mesothelioma include. Like pleural mesothelioma causes are thought to include exposure to asbestos. The causal relationship between asbestos exposure and this type of mesothelioma is not fully understood. Prognosis is extremely poor with most cases being diagnosed only after an autopsy.
Asbestos fibers are strong and resistant to heat making them useful in a wide variety of applications such as in insulation brakes shingles flooring and many other products. This results in tumors in the pericardium the protective lining around the heart. Pericardial thickening and effusions prevent the heart from expanded and contracting normally. The onset of symptoms is usually insidious.