Mesothelioma Lawyer Asbestos Attorney Weitz Luxenberg

Prolonged exposure to asbestos is only known cause of pericardial mesothelioma as well as the other types of the disease.

The cause for pericardial mesothelioma is not well known. Just like peritoneal mesothelioma, there are 3 theories:

1) Inhaled asbestos fibers are transported through the lymphatic system to the pericardium (space between the parietal & visceral peritoneum layers).

2) Asbestos fibers entered the body through foods & drinks that asbestos workers had whilst on the job. Asbestos dust & fibers in the air is common among workplaces such as factories, shipyards & metal works.

3) Asbestos fibers, once they are broken up into smaller pieces in the lungs, are carried from the lungs into the blood stream.

When a person develops mesothelioma around the lining of the heart, it is mainly caused by the scar tissue that had been inhibited within the cavity for many years. The fibers are pumped through the heart, become lodged in the heart lining, and cause the chronic inflammation that leads to cancerous growths.

Once cells become cancerous they start to divide more rapidly. As these malignant pericardial mesothelioma cells continue to grow they lead to the thickening of the pericardial membranes, and eventually cause tumors to develop. These changes in the pericardial membrane lead to the build-up of fluid between the pericardial layers, which, combined with the thickening of the layers, puts pressure on the heart.