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Less than 10% of reported cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed to be pericardial mesothelioma making this the rarest of the three types of asbestos lung cancers. The pericardium is the sac of fibrous tissue that covers the heart and the bases of the main blood vessels. Therefore pericardial mesothelioma affects the pericardium.
As with other types of mesothelioma, the only known cause is exposure to asbestos fibers or dust. Pericardial mesothelioma occurs after continual or excessive exposure. It’s unknown at this time as to just how the particles make their way to the pericardium. The current theory is that the particles are carried into the lungs, where they are broken down even further and the tiny particles enter the circulation system. Once entering the heart, these particles lodge in the pericardium. As with any foreign substance in the body, irritation in the lining of the heart causes irritation and abnormal growth of the cells. These abnormal growths lead to cancer cell growth.
Again, like the other types of mesothelioma, it takes years before any symptoms show up, sometimes as many as twenty to thirty years after exposure. Unfortunately the disease continues to advance in the meantime and therefore when the symptoms show up, the patient is already in the advanced stages of cancer. The symptoms include: shortness of breath, pain, chest pains, vomiting, weight loss, fever, palpitations and intense coughing. Due the advanced stage at diagnosis, it’s almost impossible to successfully treat the cancer.
The other problem with correctly diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma is that its symptoms could easily be mistaken for something else. A successful diagnosis requires that the patient undergo either a CAT scan or an MRI. The warning signs should never be ignored and it’s important when seeing the family physician to mention any possible asbestos exposure in the past.
There is no known cure for this disease. Some treatments such as chemotherapy and other drug therapy are available. In some cases, surgery and radiation treatments can also be undertaken.
Early detection is key to successful treatment.