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.

As in the lung, the rapid growth of the cancerous tumors can cause expansion of the tissue and accumulation of fluid. The fluid can interfere with the functioning of the heart and cause chest pain. People in the fourth to seventh decades of life are most likely to have this cancer, and there is a 2:1 male to female ratio.

You can get all the types of Mesothelioma details on this blog.