Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Practice Areas
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane surrounding the heart, known as the pericardium. It’s one of the rarest types of asbestos-related cancers. Treatment options are few because the heart lining, which is where tumors develop, is too close to the heart. There are some cases where surgery can help remove small tumors. There have been approximately 200 cases of pericardial mesothelioma reported in medical literature, which is only 1 percent of all known diagnosed mesotheliomas.
Almost all mesotheliomas can be traced to asbestos exposure, but medical researchers continue to study the link between asbestos and cancer of the pericardium. Studies are clear on how inhaled microscopic fibers reach the lungs, but less clear on how the fibers reach the heart.
This form of cancer strikes twice as many men as women, and is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 50 and 70. Like the other types of mesothelioma, the disease develops over a long period of time, and is typically discovered at a later stage. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath. Diagnosis is difficult because symptoms mimic those of other disorders.
Pericardial mesothelioma is considered rare for several reasons:
Location and Exposure: Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs and is more common due to direct inhalation of asbestos fibers, pericardial mesothelioma develops in the pericardium, the thin membrane surrounding the heart. Exposure to asbestos fibers reaching the pericardium is less common compared to exposure in the lungs.
Barriers to Asbestos Reach: The pericardium is somewhat protected from direct contact with asbestos fibers because they primarily reach the lungs through inhalation. Asbestos fibers would need to travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to reach the pericardium, which is less likely compared to direct inhalation into the lungs.
Delayed Symptoms and Diagnosis: Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma can be nonspecific and mimic other heart and lung conditions. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and underreporting of cases, contributing to its rarity.
Aggressive Nature: Pericardial mesothelioma tends to be more aggressive than other types due to its location near the heart, complicating treatment options and reducing survival rates. This may further contribute to its classification as a rare form of cancer.
Limited Research and Awareness: Compared to more common forms of cancer, pericardial mesothelioma has received less research attention and public awareness. This can contribute to its perceived rarity and the challenges in understanding its causes and treatment strategies.
Overall, the combination of limited exposure pathways, delayed diagnosis, aggressive nature, and relatively low incidence contributes to pericardial mesothelioma being considered a rare form of cancer.
Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma
Most pericardial mesothelioma patients experience symptoms that resemble those of other heart conditions long after the cancer initially develops, making the cancer difficult to accurately diagnose.
Most symptoms are caused by the buildup of fluid and the thickening of pericardial layers. The presence of any of these symptoms should be followed by a visit to the doctor with recommended screenings such as an X-ray or CT scan.
The following symptoms may indicate pericardial mesothelioma. However, they could also mean a number of other heart conditions. If you experience these symptoms, make an appointment with your physician immediately.
Heart palpitations or irregular
heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Murmurs
Shortness of breath when lying flat
Fatigue
Night sweats
Difficulty breathing, even when at rest (dyspnea)
Cough
Chest pain
Fever
Treatment Options
Treatment options are limited because the heart lining rests so closely to the heart itself and could easily damage this important and delicate organ. Most patients with pericardial mesothelioma are not ideal candidates for surgery. Surgery near this area is extremely dangerous because of the close proximity to the heart.
The four primary treatment options for pericardial mesothelioma are pericardiectomy, chemotherapy, palliative treatment and fine needle aspiration.
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