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A background discussion of the disease.
Detailed descriptions of the three types of mesothelioma.
The most common risk factors & diagnosis.
Several treatment options and clinical trials are presented.
Legal implications associated with mesothelioma.
A causal connection between asbestos and mesothelioma.
The rarest form of malignant mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma. Primary pericardial mesothelioma is a lethal disease. Symptoms include heart palpitations, persistent coughing and difficulty breathing.
There are only roughly 160 cases reported in the medical literature. The diagnosis is most commonly made during autopsy or after operation for a separate condition. Diagnosis is very difficult because symptoms are typically nonspecific and are similar to reduced cardiac function. Surgery remains the most common treatment option. When detected early, and if the disease is contained, complete removal of the tumor (through surgery) may result in long-term survival. Chemotherapy or radiation has had disappointing results. Clinical trials resulting in improved treatment options for pleural mesothelioma may influence future treatment options for pericardial mesothelioma.
