Treatment Options for Pericardial Mesothelioma

Treatment Options for Pericardial Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly cancer caused by repeated exposure to asbestos. In recent years, there has been an increase in reported cases.
This is due to increased knowledge about this disease and to those who have been exposed to asbestos reporting it to their health care professional. If diagnosed with Mesothelioma it is imperative to know about the various Mesothelioma treatment options. Because of this cancer's long latency period, anywhere from 20 to 60 years, starting treatment as soon as possible is crucial.

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that invades the mesothelium, or the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs. This disease has three forms and each corresponds to the mesothelium that is invaded. The most common form of this deadly cancer is Pleural Mesothelioma. This cancer invades the mesothelium or lining around the lungs. The second form of Mesothelioma is Peritoneal and it attacks the protective lining around the abdomen. Pericardial Mesothelioma is cancer of the membranous lining that surrounds the heart. Of the three forms of this asbestos related cancer, Pericardial Mesothelioma is the most rare.
Some of the common symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma include shortness of breath, persistent coughing, chest pain and heart palpitations. After a diagnosis has been established, several factors are taken into consideration before Mesothelioma treatment begins. These factors include the extent of the disease, the patient's overall health, past medical history and age.
Mesothelioma treatment for those suffering from Pericardial Mesothelioma, may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and palliative therapy. On occasion, surgery may be indicated for those with Pericardial Mesothelioma. Due to the nature of this disease, by the time an individual is diagnosed the cancer is usually in an advanced stage and surgery is no longer deemed to be beneficial.
The most common forms of Mesothelioma treatment for those with Pericardial Mesothelioma are radiation and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is used most often and appears to be the most affective manner of treating this type of cancer. Chemotherapy is also administered but must be closely monitored due to the drugs' negative effects on healthy cells.
Palliative therapies are also used in treating those with Pericardial Mesothelioma. This Mesothelioma treatment helps to relieve some of the symptoms of the disease by draining fluid from around the heart by fine needle aspiration.
A diagnosis of Pericardial Mesothelioma is devastating both emotionally and physically. In order to relieve some of the stress of an unknown outcome, it is crucial to be well informed of all available Mesothelioma treatment options. As increasing research regarding becomes available, this disease's avenues of treatment will become available.
Another critical task after the diagnosis is confirmed is seeking the advice of an attorney who specializes in Mesothelioma treatment cases. Your attorney will help you determine when your exposure to asbestos occurred and whether or not your former employer, through negligence, failed to use appropriate safety precautions. You may be legally entitled to a monetary settlement for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and perhaps even punitive damages.

About the Author
Nick Johnson serves as lead counsel with Johnson Law Group, with principal offices located in Houston, Texas. Johnson specializes in cases involving mesothelioma.