Pericardial Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma of the Pericardium

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the mesothelial tissue lining of the heart sac, or pericardium (also called mesothelioma of the pericardium). Of the three types of malignant mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is the least commonly diagnosed. Pericardial mesothelioma is the confirmed diagnosis in less than 10% of all cases of malignant mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma typically affects the mesothelial tissue lining of the chest cavity, or pleura (pleural mesothelioma, mesothelioma of the pleura). This asbestos cancer is not to be confused with other asbestos diseases affecting the lungs, notably asbestos lung cancer and asbestosis. It can also affect the mesothelial tissue lining of the abdominal cavity, or peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma, mesothelioma of the peritoneum).

The only known cause of pericardial mesothelioma is exposure to a metamorphic mineral group called asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used for a variety of commercial and industrial purposes throughout the twentieth century primarily because of its ability to serve as an insulator.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

People suffering from pericardial mesothelioma most often present with chronic chest pain. Pericardial mesothelioma cancer growth can cause a buildup of fluid inside the pericardial space. The accumulation of serous fluid within the pericardial space causes chest pain, heart palpitations and other heart-function irregularities.

In addition to the chronic chest pain associated with a buildup of fluid inside the pericardial space, there are a number of additional symptoms that can alert a sufferer as to the onset of the rare asbestos disease:

Pericardial Mesothelioma Diagnosis

The earlier a pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis can be made, the more options a doctor will have in suggesting treatments. Unfortunately, the latent nature of malignant mesothelioma makes such an early diagnosis difficult, if not impossible.

A pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis typically begins when a sufferer visits their doctor complaining of chronic symptoms. The nature of the symptoms may elicit a doctor's ordering of imaging scans (x-ray, MRI, CT scan, PET scan, etc.) designed to provide an initial diagnosis; however, such imaging scans only serve as an indicator as to the location of the problem. In order to confirm a diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma, a section of suspect tissue must be excised through a biopsy and studied by a histopathologist (expert in the study of diseased tissue).

A histopathologist can provide a great deal of information regarding the type of the malignant mesothelioma a patient is suffering from, the stage to which the disease has progressed and the best available treatment options. Additionally, a case of malignant mesothelioma can be further typed based on its cellular structure. There are three histological classifications of malignant mesothelioma: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Treatments

Pericardial mesothelioma treatments have thus far proven ineffective in combating the virulent asbestos cancer. There are a number of treatment options that are administered with curative intent; however, none have proven capable of yielding anything more than a brief extension of life.

New pericardial mesothelioma treatments are routinely being researched and developed with the hope that they will one day provide curative successes where traditional modalities have not. A promising development has occurred in the field of drug production. Drugs like Alimta, Veglin and Onconase are undergoing clinical trial testing to determine safety and efficacy in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Initial findings have been promising, though the drugs are admittedly far from being labeled a cure.

As is, the best a pericardial mesothelioma sufferer can hope for is an effective palliative treatment that masks their symptoms and allows them to live out their remaining days in relative comfort.

Areas of Legal Interest