Attorney
University of Virginia Doctors discovered a man who had been living with pericardial mesothelioma for over seven years. The patient displayed minimal symptoms despite having the rare form of cancer – people diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma rarely survive more than six months after diagnosis.
The 59-year-old man was experiencing periodic chest pain and fatigue. Pericardial mesothelioma patients’ symptoms usually include chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and constant coughing. An MRI revealed a large mass in the pericardium attached to the right ventricle.
The doctors performed surgery to remove the tumor, but full removal was not possible due to the tumor’s advanced growth pattern. The patient subsequently underwent three years of chemotherapy treatment, which included varying combinations of chemotherapeutic agents. After failing to stop the tumor’s growth, doctors stopped chemotherapy and began radiation treatments.
The patient was able to tolerate the high doses of radiation and showed improvement in his shortness of breath. He was free from progression of the disease 86 months from the date of diagnosis and 50 months after completion of radiation treatment.
If you have mesothelioma possibly related to asbestos exposure, a Northern Virginia mesothelioma lawyer might be able to help. Contact Peter DePaolis a Virginia mesothelioma attorney at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis.