Skip to content
Mesothelioma.net
phone iconCall1-800-692-8608 chat icon Chat 24/7 Live Chat
Menu
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • About Mesothelioma
      • How to Survive Mesothelioma
      • 100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma (Free Book)
      • Symptoms
      • Diagnosis
      • Prognosis
      • Life Expectancy
    • Types
      • Pleural
      • Peritoneal
      • Epithelioid
      • Sarcomatoid
      • Biphasic
    • Stages
      • Stage 1
      • Stage 2
      • Stage 3
      • Stage 4
    • Additional Information
      • Causes
      • Asbestos and Its Dangers
      • Facts
      • Support
      • Financial Compensation
      • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
  • Treatment
    • Treatment Options
      • Surgery
      • Chemotherapy
      • Radiation Therapy
      • Multimodal Therapy
      • Medications
      • Palliative Treatment
    • Find Top Doctors
      • Doctors
      • Treatment Centers
      • Treatment & Doctors Near You
      • New Treatments
      • Care Providers
      • Clinical Trials
      • Costs
  • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
  • Veteran Assistance
    • Mesothelioma and Veterans
      • VA Claims for Mesothelioma
      • Vietnam Veterans
    • Military Branches and Asbestos
      • Navy Veterans
      • Navy Ships
      • Marine Corps Veterans
      • Army Veterans
      • Air Force Veterans
      • U.S. Coast Guard
  • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • About Us / Contact
  • Home
  • ›
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
  • ›
  • Treatment
  • ›
  • Surgery
  • ›
  • Pericardiectomy
Page Updated: June 30, 2022

Pericardiectomy

Anne Courtney Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Anne Courtney, AOCNP, DNP

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Fact Checked

This page has been fact-checked by a Doctor of nursing practice specializing in Oncology and has experience working with mesothelioma patients.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article. We make every attempt to keep our information accurate and up-to-date. 

Please Contact Us with any questions or comments.

A pericardiectomy is a surgical procedure that removes part or all of the pericardium, the double layer of tissue surrounding the heart. It is used to treat pericardial mesothelioma, relieve symptoms, and extend life expectancy. The procedure is risky, with a high potential for complications.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

What Is a Pericardiectomy?

The pericardium is part of the mesothelium, the double-layered tissue that protects and surrounds most of the body’s organs. This double-layered tissue also lines the chest and abdominal cavities. When disease affects this tissue, it may become inflamed, filled with fluid, or harden.

All of these cause uncomfortable symptoms, but they also cause real damage to the heart. A pericardiectomy removes diseased tissue to relieve symptoms and prevent further damage. During a pericardiectomy, the surgeon may remove only diseased portions of the pericardium, or they may remove all of it.[1]

What Pericardiectomy Treats

Pericardiectomy surgery treats serious conditions that cause difficult symptoms. One of the most common conditions is constrictive pericarditis.[1] Constrictive pericarditis is characterized by inflammation of the pericardium followed by stiffness and rigidity that constricts the heart.

This condition is uncomfortable but can also be fatal. Heart surgery and chest radiation are common causes of constrictive pericarditis, but it can also be caused by infections and both pleural and pericardial mesothelioma.[2]

The Procedure

There are different ways to perform a pericardiectomy; however, the typical way is through a median sternotomy. This means the surgeon makes an incision in the sternum to access the pericardium around the heart.

The surgeon then cuts out the diseased tissue, wires the breastbone back together, and closes the incision with stitches.[3] Alternatively, if a patient is undergoing VATS or thoracoscopic surgery for another reason, the surgeon may be able to perform a pericardiectomy at the same time.

Recovery from Pericardiectomy

A pericardiectomy is a major surgery that requires general anesthesia. Recovery can be difficult but is not as long as other surgeries used to treat mesothelioma. Most patients will spend between five to seven days in the hospital.

Staff monitor patients for complications during the stay. They may also drain fluid from the chest cavity and surrounding area.

Once a patient is released from the hospital, they will be nearly fully recovered. Lifting may be restricted, but other normal activities are usually allowed.

Limitations vary by patient. Patients in poor general health or with more advanced diseases, such as late-stage mesothelioma, may not fully recover for two months or more.

Risks and Complications

With any surgery, there are risks. This is particularly true when the surgery is related to the heart. A pericardiectomy is a serious procedure only performed by experts in thoracic surgery. Possible complications include:

  • Complications from anesthesia
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Buildup of fluid in the chest cavity and around the lungs
  • Infection

The risks associated with this procedure vary depending on the individual patient. Those with other health issues or with compromised immune systems may be at a greater risk for complications.

If you are facing the choice of a pericardiectomy, talk with your doctor about your risks. You will need to weigh these risks against the benefits to make a fully informed decision. For most people with a diseased pericardium, the risks are worth the benefits of having it removed.

Benefits of a Pericardiectomy for Mesothelioma Patients

Both pleural and pericardial mesothelioma may cause damage to the pericardium. This type of cancer can cause constrictive pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and tumors in the pericardium. These can cause serious symptoms like swelling, fatigue, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Mesothelioma patients often receive a pericardiectomy to relieve symptoms.

For mesothelioma patients experiencing pericardial effusion, a less invasive procedure is usually used first. A pericardiocentesis uses a needle to drain fluid buildup. However, if the fluid continues to accumulate, the patient may need a pericardiectomy to prevent recurrence and provide lasting relief.

Another benefit of a pericardiectomy for mesothelioma patients is improving life expectancy. If the patient has early-stage pericardial mesothelioma, removing the tissue can slow the spread of cancer to the rest of the body. This could extend the patient’s life expectancy.

For some patients in the later stages of the disease, the procedure may only be palliative.[4] However, the pericardiectomy may extend life by months or even years for those in the earlier stages of cancer.

Pericardiectomy is one of many surgical procedures and treatments used for patients living with mesothelioma. The pericardium of the heart is affected in patients with both pleural and pericardial forms of mesothelioma. For most mesothelioma patients, the surgery’s risks are worth the potential benefits of the procedure.

The ability to breathe and reduce pain levels adds to the quality of life for a patient with this disease. For some, pericardiectomy can even add to their life expectancy. If you are facing this procedure, be sure to ask questions and seek information so you can feel comfortable with moving ahead with treatment.

Get Your FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Anne Courtney, AOCNP, DNP

Anne Courtney

Anne Courtney has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and is an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner. She has years of oncology experience working with patients with malignant mesothelioma, as well as other types of cancer. Dr. Courtney currently works at University of Texas LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes.

Connect with Doctor of Nursing Practice Anne Courtney
References
  1. Cleveland Clinic. (2018, January 9). Pericardiectomy.
    Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/pericardiectomy
  2. Bang, J.H., Roh, M.S., Hong, S.H., Choi, P.J., and Woo, J.S. (2010, October). Surgical Experience of Pericardial Mesothelioma Presenting as Constrictive Pericarditis. J. Cardiol. Cases. 2(2), e96-e98.
    Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6265024/
  3. Cleveland Clinic. (2018, January 9). Pericardiectomy: Procedure Details.
    Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17352-pericardiectomy/procedure-details
  4. McGehee, E., Gerber, D., Reisch, J., & Dowell, J. (2019, March). Treatment and Outcomes of Primary Peritoneal Mesothelioma: A Contemporary Review of 103 Published Cases. Clinical Lung Cancer, 20(2): e152-e157
    Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30594459
View All References

Site Navigation

Home
Malignant Mesothelioma
How to Survive Mesothelioma
100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma (Free Book)
Surviving Mesothelioma - Beating the Odds (Free Book)
FREE Mesothelioma Packet
Symptoms
Shortness of Breath
Cough
Night Sweats and Fever
Weight Loss
Pain
Difficulty Swallowing
Fatigue and Muscle Weakness
Gastrointestinal Complications
Diagnosis
Pathology
Staging
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Metastasis and Progression
Brain Metastasis
Biopsy
miRview Test
Imaging
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy in Mesothelioma
Biomarkers and Blood Tests
Calretinin
Prognosis
Remission
Recurrence
Death Rate
Life Expectancy
Search for a Mesothelioma Cure
Types
Pleural
Peritoneal
Epithelioid
Sarcomatoid
Biphasic
Pericardial
Testicular
Cell Types
Rare Subtypes of Mesothelioma
Deciduoid
Desmoplastic
Heterologous
Lymphohistiocytoid
Well-Differentiated Papillary
Tubulopapillary
Small Cell
Benign
Adenomatoid
Cystic
Unresectable
Localized
Idiopathic
Omental
Causes
Risk Factors
Latest Research
Genetic Components
Incidence
Latency Period
Mesothelioma Tumor
Health Insurance Coverage
Related Conditions
Immunodeficiency Disorders
Cholangiocarcinoma
Atelectasis
Pleural Plaques
Pleural Thickening
Pleural Effusion
Peritoneal Effusion (Ascites)
Mesothelial Hyperplasia and Proliferation
Pleuritis and Pleurisy
COPD
Anemia
Breast Cancer
Prevention
Complications
Misdiagnosis
Mesothelioma Commercial
Talcum Baby Powder
Lawyer
Lawsuits
Class Action Lawsuits
Settlements
Simian Virus 40
Differences From Other Cancers
Lung Cancer
Women
Children and Young Adults
Unknown Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma Without Asbestos
Cause of Death
Facts 
History
Awareness
Government and Research
National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank
Support
What to Expect
Living with Mesothelioma
Help a Loved One
Wrong and Right Things to Say
Caregivers
Financial Tips
Faith
Nutrition and Lifestyle
Intimacy
Mesothelioma and Fertility in Men
Fertility in Women with Mesothelioma
Emotional Health
COVID-19
Assisted Living
Hospice Care
Dying from Mesothelioma
Mourning
Coping Guide for Children
End-of-Life Decisions
Mesothelioma Awareness Day
Compensation for Victims
Lawyer
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington D.C.
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Lawsuit
Settlements
Statute of Limitations
Treatment
Surgery
Side Effects
Pneumonectomy
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
Lobectomy
Pleurectomy/Decortication
Post Op Care
Pleurectomy/Decortication vs. Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
Peritonectomy/Cytoreductive Surgery
Thoracotomy
Thoracoscopy
Pericardiectomy
Wedge Resection
Pleurodesis
Pericardiocentesis
Prosthetics
Paracentesis
Thoracentesis
Chemotherapy
Side Effects
Heated Intraperitoneal
Radiation Therapy
Side Effects
Intensity-Modulated
Brachytherapy
Proton Therapy
Image-Guided
External Beam
Three-Dimensional
Multimodal Therapy
New Treatments
SMART Protocol
Gene Therapy
Suicide Gene Therapy
Tumor-Based p53 Therapy
Cryotherapy for Mesothelioma
Tumor Treating Fields
MicroRNA
Palliative Treatment
Osteopathic
Doctors
Treatment Centers
Treatment & Doctors Near You
Mesothelioma Experts
Medications
Alimta (pemetrexed)
Adriamycin (doxorubicin)
Avastin (bevacizumab)
Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
Gemzar (gemcitabine)
Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)
Mitomycin
Navelbine (vinorelbine)
Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab)
Paraplatin (carboplatin)
Platinol (cisplatin)
Rheumatrex (methotrexate)
Sutent (sunitinib)
Taxol (paclitaxel)
Medical Marijuana
Care Providers
Clinical Trials
Anetumab Ravtansine
Atezolizumab
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell
Durvalumab
Immunotoxin
Interferon Alfa-2b
Onconase (Ranpirnase)
VISTA Protein
Costs
Immunotherapy
Nanotechnology
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Home Medical Equipment
HMGB1 Secretion
Photodynamic Therapy
Targeted Therapies
Apoptosis
Stem Cells
Lung Transplantation
Body-Based Therapies
Alternative Therapies
Paul Kraus’s Method
Doctors and Treatment in Canada
Asbestos Trusts
Veterans
VA Claims for Mesothelioma
Vietnam Veterans
Military Branches and Asbestos
Navy Veterans
Navy Ships
Aircraft Carriers
Battleships
Destroyers
Asbestos on Navy Cruisers
Submarines
Amphibious Ships
Minesweepers
Auxiliary Ships
Marine Corps Veterans
Army Veterans
Air Force Veterans
U.S. Coast Guard
Asbestos
Occupational Exposure
Construction Workers
Shipyard Workers
Ship Repair
Steel Mill Workers
Industrial Workers
Boiler Workers
Power Plant Workers
Firefighters
Automotive Workers
Roofers
Oil Refineries
Mining
Transportation Industry
Machine Operators
Farmers and Agricultural Workers
Migrant Workers
Electrical Wiring
Labor Unions
Prisons
Chimneys, Furnaces, and Wood Stoves
Fiberglass Connection to Mesothelioma
Home Remodeling
School Buildings, Teachers
For Tech Students
Cancer
Lung Cancer
Pleural Based Cancers
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits
Companies That Used Asbestos
Awareness and Education
Types of Asbestos & Mesothelioma Risk
Asbestosis
Interstitial Lung Disease
Smoking
Asbestos Ingestion
Exposure in a Natural Disaster
Ban Asbestos
Libby, Montana
Recycling Asbestos
Asbestos Detection
Legal Information by State
Canada
Mexico
United Kingdom
Australia
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • Treatment
    • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
    • Veteran Assistance
    • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
    • Mesothelioma News
    • About Us / Contact
  • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Editorial Guidelines and Standards
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
The information provided by Mesothelioma.net is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Mesothelioma.net

5430 LBJ Freeway Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75240

Serving mesothelioma victims nationwide

1-800-692-8608

  • facebook
  • twitter
© 2022 Mesothelioma.net