Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that only afflicts persons who were exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a substance that was used for decades until the 1970s in construction materials, pipes, insulation, boilers, brake linings, thermal products and others. It has qualities that make it extremely fire and heat resistant accounting for its general and widespread use.
Unfortunately, working with asbestos or around people who have been exposed to the substance can lead to a deadly and fatal disease. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or have a loved one who recently passed away after being diagnosed with the illness, immediately contact our law firm at .
What is Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is categorized by which part of the body it affects. One of the least common form of the cancer is pericardial mesothelioma with only a few hundred reported cases. Still, it does occur but its rarity does not mean you are not eligible for compensation.
The pericardium is the lining encircling the heart muscle. Tumors generally cover most or all the heart. In most mesothelioma cases, the asbestos fibers, when inhaled, will adhere to your air passages and usually penetrate the pleural lining of your lungs and chest wall.
In cases of pericardial mesothelioma, asbestos fibers enter your bloodstream and make their way to your heart and become lodged in the membrane lining your heart. Over time, fluid may accumulate in the sac around your heart, which is referred to as pericardial mesothelioma.
What are the Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma?
The symptoms for pericardial mesothelioma are not much different from those seen for pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of this cancer. Symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Arrhythmia
- Low blood pressure
- Fluid retention in the legs
Mesothelioma symptoms do not appear until many years after you or a loved one worked in an industry where asbestos exposure was common. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, immediately consult with a physician and advise your doctor that you were exposed to asbestos at one time.
Can Pericardial Mesothelioma be Treated?
Regardless of which stage your cancer is in, you can receive treatments that can prolong your life expectancy and ease your symptoms. A diagnosis can be made only after your complete medical history is given and you undergo an x-ray, MRI or CT scan as well as a biopsy of the affected tissue.
While surgery can remove the tumors around your heart, it can only help relieve the symptoms such as the pain that results from the fluid buildup. Other treatments include traditional radiation and chemotherapy.
Is Compensation Possible?
If you developed pericardial mesothelioma, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Manufacturers and installers of asbestos knew that exposure to asbestos could result in this deadly disease but failed to disclose this to companies that bought and used the substance.
Because many of these companies are no longer in business, it may be difficult to find a responsible party. Still, resourceful attorneys have found businesses that have been held legally responsible and who have paid out millions in compensation over the years to mesothelioma victims.
There is a time limit on filing claims, however, and each state has its own statute of limitations on when you can file. Generally, the time for filing begins to run from the date you are diagnosed with the disease.
For this reason, you need to promptly contact our dedicated mesothelioma attorneys to discuss your case. After we have conducted an assessment of your case, we will advise you if we feel you have a compensable case and what your next steps will be. Call us today at
