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Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer linked to exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma targets the protective membranes of the lungs, heart and stomach and is treated by surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

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Defining Pericardial Mesothelioma

What is Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer linked to exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma targets the protective membranes of the lungs, heart and stomach and is treated by surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

There are three types of mesothelioma. Pleural is the most common form affecting the lining around the lungs. Peritoneal attacks the lining of the abdomen and is the second most common form. Pericardial attracts the lining of the heart and is the rarest, affecting only one percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses.

Because it is so rare, there has been much less research on pericardial mesothelioma than on the other forms. There is hope that more treatment options will be developed in the future.

New treatment options often begin as clinical trials.

Chemotherapy and pericardiectomy (surgery to remove the membrane around the heart) can help slow the spread of the cancer although the prognosis is generally six months. These are difficult treatment choices that require professional guidance.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Because pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare, it is often not detected until advanced.  It causes pericardial effusion which is a buildup of fluid in the pericardial sac and thickening of the pericardium, preventing normal heart expansion and contraction.

Symptoms include:

  • Heart palpitations
  • Persistent coughing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
Pericardial Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Diagnosing Pericardial Mesothelioma

Symptoms mirror many more common heath issues and diseases. Diagnosis often occurs once the disease has reached an advanced stage and often detected during treatment or surgery for another issue.

Echocardiograms can detect when the heart is compromised by thickening of the pericardium.

Imaging tests such as CT scan, MRI or x-ray will help locate possible tumors or fluid buildup.

Then the physician typically will order a biopsy of tissue or fluid. Fluid biopsy (Effusion Cytology) involves a fluid removal procedure called pericardiocentesis. Fluid biopsy has a 20 percent success rate in correctly identifying the disease.

Where is Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Location of Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer linked to exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma targets the protective membranes of the lungs, heart and stomach and is treated by surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Treatment Options

Treatment of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Most treatments are palliative, designed to ease pain and discomfort.  Invasive treatments are more risky because of the close proximity of the heart.

Pericardiectomy

Tumors cause inflammation, constriction, and irritation of the heart’s lining, Pericardiectomy removes all or part of the pericardium easing constriction and painful retention of fluid.  The membrane is then reconstructed with Gortex, a breathable fabric.

Pericardiocentesis

A surgeon places a small catheter into the tissue surrounding the heart to help drain fluid from the pericardial sack.

Chemotherapy

Tumor growth can be slowed by chemotherapy, the most common cancer treatment, to ease symptoms and prolong life. One study found that combinations of the chemotherapy medications (vinorelbine, gemcitabine and cisplatin) stopped the advancement of tumor growth in one patient for two years.

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Prognosis of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Prognosis

Because of the extreme rarity of this disease, research is limited.  Outcomes, longer than the average six months, are better for patients able to participate in clinical trials which also support needed research.

Common Stages of Mesothelioma

Common Mesothelioma Stages

A doctor will also determine the stage of mesothelioma as part of the diagnostic process, which determines the origin in the lining of the lungs and describes how far it has spread from that point. This information is significant to doctors when determining potential treatment availabilities. Standard treatment options are more commonly available to patients with stage 1 or stage 2 compared to patients with the later 3 and 4 stages.

The following are the pleural mesothelioma stages:

Stage
1

Within Stage 1, the mesothelioma tumor is generally in one location, and the cancerous cells have not dispersed to lymph nodes or other body organs and tissues. In general, surgical treatment may be an option for eliminating the cancerous growth.

 

Stage
2

Within Stage 2, the mesothelioma tumor is larger and has probably intruded on surrounding organs, such as the lung or even diaphragm. Lymph nodes could additionally be included. In this case, surgical reapportion might still be feasible, however much more difficult depending on the scope of the growth.

 

Stage
3

Within Stage 3, mesothelioma cancer has infested a region or perhaps location. Cancer has progressively spread throughout one side of the chest, within the chest wall, esophagus, and additional lymph nodes. Surgical treatment is typically not an option as curative therapy, however various other treatment options may be attempted. 

 

Stage
4

Within Stage 4, the mesothelioma has dispersed to numerous locations, such as various other organs and tissues throughout the body. Surgical treatment is no longer an alternative, and most treatments at this stage concentrate on minimizing discomfort and pain.