According to the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center (MAAC), pericardial mesothelioma is a rare and serious form of cancer due to its attack on the lining that surrounds the heart, called the pericardium.
Cause
Mesothelioma is caused by long-term exposure to asbestos, according to Asbestos.com. In late 2009, it remains uncertain as to why individuals develop the particular cancer form of pericardial mesothelioma. Researchers think it is because tiny asbestos fibers travel in the blood from the lungs to the pericardium and become caught there, according to Asbestos.com. Once lodged in the pericardium, the fibers cause inflammation that develops into cancer.
Symptoms
Common symptoms for pericardial mesothelioma are chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, persistent coughing and extreme fatigue, according to the MAAC.
Diagnosis
According to the MAAC, all forms of mesothelioma are difficult to diagnose. Doctors use X-rays, CT scans and MRI to determine if there are any abnormal growths. If so, then a tissue biopsy is done to determine if the growth is cancerous.
Treatments
According to PericardialMesothelioma.org, chemotherapy and radiation are the most widely accepted treatments for pericardial mesothelioma.
Prognosis
Because this form of cancer is usually diagnosed at a late stage, the life expectancy is typically less than a year, according to the MAAC.
