Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of cancerous disease which takes 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure to become apparent. Pericardial mesothelioma accounts for less than one percent of the total mesothelioma cases. The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Cancer

When asbestos particles are disturbed and the dusts in the air are inhaled, they pose severe health hazards which eventually cause malignant mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers are also known to damage lung cells resulting in asbestosis which is scar tissue in the lung, or even lung cancer. Individuals that have been exposed to higher levels of asbestos are more likely to develop asbestosis, mesothelioma, or lung cancer, which are the three most frequent causes of death and disease due to the high levels of asbestos exposure.

Risk Factors for Pericardial Mesothelioma

The main risk factor for Pericardial Mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. For several decades asbestos was heavily used in brake linings, piping, gaskets, ship buildings, insulations, construction trades, and firewalls, among others. Individuals that worked in these professions were exposed to asbestos, which is the only known cause of mesothelioma cancer.

Workplace Asbestos Exposure

Certain occupations and worksites were known for using high levels of asbestos materials in their products. People who worked at certain jobsites or in occupations where they were exposed to asbestos at greater levels are more likely to develop mesothelioma cancer. Many workers were exposed to asbestos at:

• Demolition and Construction Sites
• Paper and Pulp Mills
• Railroads and Shipyards
• Factories and Oil Refineries
• Insulation Manufacturing companies
• Oil Refineries and Power Plants
• Insulation Manufacturing and Installing

Overview of Primary Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Pericardial mesothelioma occurs about equally in both men and women and across all age groups. Experts predict that because of the elimination or regulation of asbestos use in many products, it is highly likely that there will be a decline of asbestos exposure and new mesothelioma cases in the next decade or so. At this point, however, there is not enough proof that connects pericardial mesothelioma to asbestos exposure. It is yet not known for certain if asbestos is the cause of primary pericardial mesothelioma, so it is not clear whether there will be a decline or increase of primary pericardial mesothelioma incidence.