Pericardial Mesothelioma Causes

Pericardial thickening and effusions prevent the heart from expanded and contracting normally.

Pericardial mesothelioma causes. Like pleural mesothelioma causes are thought to include exposure to asbestos. Researchers confirm the pleural and peritoneal types are primarily caused by exposure to asbestos yet the causes of the pericardial type are less definitive. Asbestos is a mineral that s found naturally in the environment. There may be a component of environmental or genetic factors but pericardial mesothelioma is simply too rare to be certain.

It is caused by asbestos fibers lodged in the lining of the heart. The causal relationship between asbestos exposure and this type of mesothelioma is not fully understood. Though some associations have been noted the cause of these tumors is usually unknown. The onset of symptoms is usually insidious.

The buildup of excess fluid in the pericardial sac pericardial effusion and thickening of the pericardium cause many of the symptoms of this disease. Common clinical manifestations of pericardial mesothelioma are constrictive pericarditis pericardial effusion cardiac tamponade and heart failure caused by myocardial infiltration. 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. Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare.

Symptoms caused by pericardial mesothelioma include. Dyspnea or difficulty breathing. It is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma accounting for 1 2 of all diagnoses. This is particularly true when the tumors begin in young people.

While pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomas are strongly associated with asbestos exposure the link is weaker with pericardial mesothelioma. Most mesotheliomas are thought to be related to asbestos exposure. Prognosis is extremely poor with most cases being diagnosed only after an autopsy. Pericardial mesothelioma pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of asbestos cancer that develops in the pericardium a membrane that lines the heart.

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. The primary cause of pericardial mesothelioma remains a mystery. This results in tumors in the pericardium the protective lining around the heart. Some patients have extended their life expectancy more than a year with the right treatment.