Pericardial Mesothelioma
An extremely serious form of cancer and one that provides little hope for survival, pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest of all mesotheliomas and accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases of the disease.
What Is It?
Pericardial mesothelioma attacks the part of the mesothelium known as the pericardium, a fluid-filled sac that surrounds the heart and the ends of the aorta, vena cava, and pulmonary artery. Its role is to keep the heart contained within the chest cavity and to prevent the heart from over-expanding when blood volume increases. When tumors form in this area, pericardial mesothelioma is diagnosed.
Because this is a cancer that forms around the heart, it is naturally considered one of the most serious forms of the disease. Though there is no definitive theory as to how pericardial mesothelioma develops, it is indeed linked to asbestos inhalation. Most doctors hypothesize that the sharp asbestos fibers inhaled by the exposed individual first become lodged in the lungs and then break into pieces. These smaller pieces then travel through the blood stream where they are pumped through the heart and may become lodged in the pericardial membrane. As with other forms of mesothelioma, once the fibers reach the area around the heart, they can cause inflammation and tumors may develop.
Again, as with all forms of the disease, the symptoms for pericardial mesothelioma are often mistaken for those of other diseases. In many cases, the chest pain associated with this form of meso may cause victims to believe they are suffering from a heart attack or have developed some form of heart disease. Often, doctors head in this direction as well when trying to determine a diagnosis.
- Common symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma may include:
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Weight loss
- Fatigue after minimum exertion
Anyone who was exposed to asbestos in the past should provide their doctor with a thorough occupational history so that mesothelioma may be considered during the diagnostic process. Tests will probably be ordered to confirm diagnosis, including x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and biopsies.
Treatment of Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely difficult to treat because symptoms often do not surface until after a long latency period of up to 50 years and because the cancer is concentrated in the area around the heart.
Chemotherapy usually does little to stop the progression of the disease and may severely compromise the life of the patient, who likely has only months or weeks remaining. Therefore, the choice to undergo chemotherapy should be carefully considered.
In order to keep the pericardial mesothelioma patient more comfortable, the oncologist may recommend removal of the fluid around the heart (pericardiocentesis) or may recommend radiation for a reduction of symptoms.
Alternative treatments to reduce pain and prompt relaxation may also be recommended and may include massage, meditation, hypnotherapy, or acupuncture.
Prognosis
Pericardial mesothelioma always results in death, usually within just a few months of diagnosis, making it one of the most serious and aggressive forms of cancer known to man.