Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare and deadly cancer that forms in the pericardium–the thin sac surrounding your heart. It results in less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases and is much rarer than pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma.
Because pericardial mesothelioma has such a profound effect on the patient’s health, understanding the condition is crucial.
This article gives an in-depth overview of pericardial mesothelioma, covering its symptoms and signs, causes of the disease, medical diagnosis and treatment of the disease, and life expectancy in patients receiving early intervention treatments versus late-stage disease detection as one example of prognosis information on this condition. The chances of survival with different treatments will be discussed as well.
What is Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a malignancy that affects the pericardium, the protective lining around the heart. This type of mesothelioma is extremely rare and often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to its nonspecific symptoms. The pericardium’s role is to lubricate the heart and prevent friction during heartbeats.
When mesothelioma affects this area, it can lead to severe complications, including heart failure. Understanding this disease is vital for early detection and improving patient outcomes.
Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma
It is important to understand the nature of this type of mesothelioma, and because its symptoms are so non-specific diagnosis often cannot be made in time for treatment. The function of the pericardium is to coat the heart and provide friction-free movement between heartbeats. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include:
- A continuous pain in the chest area
- Dyspnea: Difficulty in breathing because fluids build up too close to the heart’s protective lining
- Coughing: Chronic sore throat that does not respond to normal treatments
- Irregular beats and heart-racing sensation of palpitations
Causes of Pericardial Mesothelioma
The main cause of pericardial mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, a mineral that can be hazardous to health if inhaled or ingested. Asbestos fibers enter the body and in time reach the pericardium, leading to inflammation and cellular damage.
The latency period between asbestos exposure and the onset of symptoms can be up to 30 years. This complicates efforts to identify the initial exposure source because it is not clear when and where someone becomes infected with asbestos. Other potential risk factors include genetic predisposition and previous radiation therapy to the chest area.
Diagnosis of Pericardial Mesothelioma
Getting diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma requires several steps:
Patient Assessment: Initial evaluation of symptoms and medical history.
Medical History Review: Identification of potential asbestos exposure.
Imaging tests: CT scans, and MRIs to reveal abnormalities in the pericardium.
Biopsy procedures: Taking tissue samples for histological examination.
Differential diagnosis: Entries that are not very likely to lead to heart disease or pericarditis
Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment planning.
Treatment Options for Pericardial Mesothelioma
Treatment options for pericardial mesothelioma are limited due to the disease’s rarity and advanced stage at diagnosis. Common treatments include:
- Surgery: Procedures like pericardiectomy (removal of the pericardium) or extrapleural pneumonectomy (removal of the lung and surrounding tissue).
- Radiation therapy: Targeted radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink pericardial tumors.
- Chemotherapy: Use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, often in combination with other treatments.
- Palliative care: Managing mesothelioma symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with advanced disease.
Each treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s specific condition and overall health.
Prognosis and Survival Rates
The prognosis for pericardial mesothelioma is generally poor, with a median survival of only a couple of months. Factors affecting prognosis include the stage at diagnosis, your overall health, and whether you get therapy.
Results of recent studies show that the overall 1- and 2-year survival rates are 22.0% and 12.2%, respectively. Continuing efforts to prevent mesothelioma and other types of advanced cancer by discovering better treatment options at earlier stages.
Living with Pericardial Mesothelioma
Managing symptoms and improving quality of life are essential for a pericardial mesothelioma patient living with pericardial mesothelioma cases. Supportive care resources, lifestyle adjustments, and mental health support play crucial roles.
Patients should choose a tertiary care center with experienced department teams that are responsible for a high percentage of malignant mesothelioma patients. There may also be a chance of further legal claims for people who were victims of asbestos exposure.
Commonly Asked Questions about Pericardial Mesothelioma
Seek immediate consultation with a specialist experienced in treating mesothelioma to discuss treatment options and supportive care.
Remission is rare due to the aggressive nature of the disease, but treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
A condition where fluid accumulates in the pericardium, often associated with pericardial mesothelioma, leading to heart complications.
Asbestos fibers, when inhaled or ingested, can lodge in the pericardium, causing inflammation and cellular damage that may lead to cancer over time.
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the lining around the heart, while pleural mesothelioma affects the lung lining, and peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdominal lining.
