Palliative Treatment Pericardial Mesothelioma

Palliative Treatment Pericardial Mesothelioma

This article discusses the topic on palliative treatment pericardial mesothelioma. It looks at available palliative treatment to reduce symptoms and relieve pain.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma. It accounts for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases. As a result of its rarity, very little research has been carried out to develop treatments specifically for pericardial mesothelioma, palliative or curative.

Palliative Treatment Pericardial Mesothelioma – Surgery

Generally all surgery performed for any form of mesothelioma is to remove the cancerous tumors from the affected area(s). With pericardial mesothelioma treatment is strictly palliative. This is because of where the cancer tumors form. The cancer tumors form in the proximity of the heart and this thus increases the risk of complications for any type of surgery.

To remove excess fluid that has built up in the pericardium (that is the sac that surrounds the heart) a surgery process known as pericardiocentesis is performed. The procedure involves a large, thin needle being gently guided into the pericardium sac in order to drain the fluid. An ultrasound of the heart is used to assist with guiding the position of the needle and to ensure no injury is sustained to the heart. Once the needle is in the correct position it is removed and replaced with a catheter tube which then drains the fluid into a container. The whole process may take several hours.

The pericardiocentesis procedure may need to be performed more than once if fluid continues to buildup in the pericardium.

After pericardiocentesis, chemotherapy medicine cisplatin is used which has a low frequency of complications and may to some extent prolong life expectancy.

The purpose of the treatment is to improve the quality of life of the patient and to reduce symptoms. Pericardial mesothelioma is associated with the following symptoms which are caused by the buildup of fluid in the pericardium:

• Pressure on the heart
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Irregular heartbeat