Pericardial mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma starts in the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart. It is rare, so there is little research focused on it alone.
Last reviewed October 27, 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this page.
In short
- Possible symptoms: chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, a heart murmur, and shortness of breath.
- Fluid around the heart (a pericardial effusion) is often what is found first, sometimes with an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram).
- There is no formal staging system.
- Because it is rare, care at a center with mesothelioma experience is especially worth asking about.
Symptoms
The American Cancer Society lists chest pain, an irregular heart rhythm, a heart murmur, and shortness of breath as possible symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma. These are much more often caused by common heart and lung conditions, which is one reason this cancer can be hard to recognize.
How it is found
Fluid can build up in the sac around the heart. This is called a pericardial effusion. An echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) can show the fluid and how well the heart is pumping. Removing fluid with a needle (pericardiocentesis) can relieve pressure on the heart and gives the lab a sample. The American Cancer Society notes that a tissue sample of the lining itself is often needed to know for sure.
Staging and treatment
Pericardial mesothelioma has no formal staging system, according to the American Cancer Society. Treatment is planned case by case. Depending on how far it has spread and the person's overall health, a team may consider surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or procedures to keep fluid from building up around the heart. Because so few cases are seen at any one hospital, asking for an opinion from a cancer center that treats mesothelioma often is reasonable. See treatment centers.
Legal and benefit questions
Families sometimes wonder whether a rare type "counts" for a claim. Legal and VA claims turn on the diagnosis and the exposure history, not on which lining was involved. Keep the pathology report and a list of jobs and places where asbestos may have been present.
Tell us what happened. A lawyer from a participating firm can call you to talk through your options.
Start the free reviewThis page is general health information, summarized from the sources below. It is not medical advice. Talk with your own doctor or care team about your situation.