Information on Pericardial Mesothelioma Cancer

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma is a type of mesothelioma cancer which grows in the pericardium or delicate membrane covering the heart. Compared to other types of mesothelioma such as pleural and peritoneal, pericardial is the rarest one. In all cases of mesothelioma, only one percent is known as pericardial type. As other mesothelioma types, this cancer usually is discovered in a later stage. The symptoms are also quite the same as other mesothelioma types like shortness of breath, fatigue, murmurs, cough, night sweats or fever, dyspnea especially when ling down, and heart beat palpitations.

The cause of pericardial mesothelioma

When it is clear that pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, pericardial mesothelioma happens when the asbestos fibers are lodged in the pericardium. Once the fibers reach this membrane, they can be eliminated easily. They will stay there for many years and create cancerous cells. Of course this takes time to become cancer. It may take 30 years. During the time they lead to the thickening of the pericardium including the thickening of the outel layer, and finally cause tumors to build up. Because of the thickening, there will be a pressure and strain on the heart.

How to treat this cancer

There may be a number of treatments options for pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma but not for this pericardial type. It is because pericardial type is located very close to the heart in which it can get damage easily due to some treatments. Even, a surgery which is regarded as the most effective way to remove the tumors is also dangerous. The surgery for pericardial type is called pericardiectomy. In this process part or total pericardium is removed. Other treatments with less effective result include chemotherapy, palliative treatment, and fine needle aspiration. Typically these treatments can minimize the symptoms and provide comfort to the patients.