Pericardial Mesothelioma

Brenda, a former client and mesothelioma warrior, went through multiple surgeries and treatment plans. She offers insight and advice to others affected by mesothelioma and stresses the importance of finding a qualified mesothelioma specialist for the best treatment.

Since 1999, Simmons Hanly Conroy has helped thousands of patients like Brenda get the compensation they need to afford life-extending treatment. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

Pericardial mesothelioma, like other types of mesothelioma, is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was widely used for decades because it was durable and fire-resistant.

When inhaled or ingested, asbestos fibers can become lodged in the lining of the heart. The fibers remain stuck in the lining of the heart for decades, causing inflammation, irritation and damage in the pericardium that can result in cancer.

Asbestos companies kept the dangers of their products hidden for years — putting millions of people at risk of developing serious illnesses like pericardial mesothelioma.

Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may not develop until 10-50 years after exposure to asbestos.

Additionally, the symptoms associated with pericardial mesothelioma are often similar to those of other heart conditions.

Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include:

• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath

If you believe you are experiencing any of these symptoms and were exposed to asbestos, see your doctor immediately.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to diagnose pericardial mesothelioma. In fact, many diagnoses occur after a patient passes. It is important to meet with a specialist who understands this rare cancer and can confirm your diagnosis.

The specialist will use a number of diagnostic tools to accurately confirm pericardial mesothelioma, including blood tests, imaging tests and biopsies.

Getting an accurate and early diagnosis from a specialist may give you access to a wider variety of treatment options.

A mesothelioma prognosis refers to the projected outlook of the disease. It consists of two estimates: life expectancy and survival rate.

Since pericardial mesothelioma is so difficult to diagnose, the prognosis is unfortunately quite poor. This type of mesothelioma has the shortest life expectancy of 2-6 months. The 5-year survival rate of pericardial mesothelioma is 9%.

It is important to remember that a prognosis is only an estimate, and some patients may outlive their life expectancy through mesothelioma treatment.

Mesothelioma specialists and multidisciplinary cancer centers will be able to provide the best treatment options specific to each patient.

Treatment options for pericardial mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy.

While there are no standard treatment options for this type of mesothelioma, researchers have found that multimodal treatment plans have a positive impact on life expectancy and survival. Multimodal treatment plans utilize multiple treatment options to remove and kill any cancer cells.

Unfortunately, pericardial mesothelioma treatment is expensive and can quickly exceed $400,000 annually. That’s why Simmons Hanly Conroy is committed to helping victims of pericardial mesothelioma get the compensation they need for care.

At Simmons Hanly Conroy, our pericardial mesothelioma lawyers have been working with victims of the disease and their families for over 20 years. We’ve become intimately familiar with the questions and concerns patients may have.

As a leading national mesothelioma law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy has recovered over $9.7 billion for our clients affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

For years asbestos-product manufacturers put people at risk of their dangerous products. Through mesothelioma legal claims, we hold these companies responsible for their greed.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.