Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest asbestos related cancer, affecting the lining that surrounds the heart. As with all mesothelioma, it is a result of exposure to asbestos. The latency period ranges from 10 to 50 years making early diagnosis very difficult.
That means by the time the cancer is diagnosed in most cases it is too far advanced to be effectively treated. If your doctor is unaware that you previously worked with asbestos time may be wasted running tests for a wide range of diseases like pneumonia. If you have worked with asbestos, it is important that you always keep this in mind should symptoms that could be relevant materialize.
Some of the more common symptoms include a persistent cough, rasping, and shortness of breath, palpitations, and chest pain. Your doctor will run tests such as an MRI or CT Scan. Blood work is also commonly used. The treatment action of pericardial mesothelioma depends on several factors. The patient’s age, general well being, medical history, and the patient’s weight will all be taken into consideration. How and where the cancer has spread will also be considered.
There are three main treatment options. Since mesothelioma is fatal, these treatments are designed to extend life and reduce or eliminate pain. Quality of life is important.
In the early stages, surgery might be an option to remove a tumor and cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is used to kill and shrink cancerous cells and tumors. The chemo drugs are taken by mouth in tablet form, or administered into the muscle or vein using an injection. Radiation therapy is also used to shrink the tumor and kill the cancer cells. There are to forms of radiation – external and internal.
Fine needle aspiration is an experimental treatment that is a low risk procedure. A needle is inserted in the chest cavity to drain of any excess fluid, which has built up because of the cancer. It often relieves symptoms.
Many times these treatments are combined to give the patient the optimum treatment. Pleural mesothelioma is fatal but with treatment, quality of life can be optimized and extended.