What is Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the lining of the pericardium of the heart. The pericardium is a sac-like structure that surrounds the heart and great blood vessels of the heart. It is more common in people between the ages of 50-70 years of age.Disease Causes
Asbestos exposure is a cause considered responsible for the development of pericardial mesothelioma.Signs and Symptoms
The patient may suffer from the following signs and symptoms- Difficulty in breathing
- Pain in the chest
- Irregular heartbeat
- Cough
- Constant fatigue
- Fever
- Excessive sweating at night
- Unexplained weight loss
Diagnosis
The following diagnostic tests and procedures can be used to make a diagnosis. These are;- Imaging techniques like Chest X-ray, CT-scan, MRI, and PET scan to see the site, size, and extent of the tumor.
- Tumor biopsy (tumor biopsy to remove a small sample of tissue for histopathological examination)
- Sputum cytology
- USG-guided fine needle aspiration cytology