Pericardial Mesothelioma (Symptoms)
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the pericardium, a thin, double-layered sac that surrounds the heart. This type of mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma, which affects the tissue lining the lungs and chest wall.
Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma often include:
- Chest pain: This can be sharp or dull, and it may worsen when taking deep breaths or lying down.
- Shortness of breath: As the pericardium thickens due to the cancer, it can compress the heart, making it difficult to pump blood efficiently.
- Heart palpitations: Irregular heartbeats or a feeling of a racing heart.
- Fatigue: Due to the heart’s reduced ability to pump blood, the body may become fatigued.
- Fluid buildup around the heart (pericardial effusion): This can cause a muffled heart sound and can lead to heart failure.