What are the most common warning signs of mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is difficult to
diagnose because the early signs and symptoms of the
disease
can be subtle or mistaken. Symptoms are all too frequently ignored or
dismissed by people who are inclined to attribute them to common every
day ailments. Sometimes patients live with symptoms for up to 6 months
before being diagnosed but usually the symptoms are present for two to
three months prior to a
mesothelioma diagnosis.
About 60% of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma experience
lower back pain or side chest pain and there are frequent reports of
shortness of breath. Lower numbers of people may experience difficulty
swallowing, or have a persistent cough, fever, weight loss or fatigue.
Additional symptoms that some patients experience are muscle weakness,
loss of sensory capability, coughing up blood, facial and arm swelling
and hoarseness.
Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the abdomen and as a result,
symptoms often include abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, and
vomiting. In the event that there is a hernia present, fluid buildup may
occur in the abdomen as well.
Asbestos exposure is considered the primary
risk factor for the development of the
cancer. Anyone previously exposed to asbestos displaying any of these symptoms should seek medical attention from a
doctor who specializes in the
treatment and diagnosis of mesothelioma and thoracic
oncology.
How long does it take for mesothelioma symptoms to appear?
One of the most unique facts about mesothelioma is that the disease
is characterized by a long latency period that is very often associated
with the disease. The latency period is the amount of time that elapses
from the first point of asbestos exposure to the point where symptoms
begin to appear so that a diagnosis can be made. In some mesothelioma
cases the
latency period
is reported to be 10 years but the average latency for the majority of
cases is between 35 and 40 years. As a result, the cancer often
progresses to later
stages
before a diagnosis is made. When diagnosed in the later stages,
mesothelioma treatment options become more limited and are less
effective.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Provided below is a list of symptoms that mesothelioma patients may
experience. Please click on a symptom to learn more about it.
Mesothelioma patients diagnosed with anemia have a lower than normal
red blood cell count or hemoglobin in the blood which can cause fatigue
and if left untreated, result in a loss of bone marrow.
A symptom experienced by many mesothelioma patients that can lead to
anemia and other serious complications if not given appropriate medical
attention.
A very painful symptom that can sometimes develop in peritoneal mesothelioma patients due to fluid buildup in the abdomen.
Often experienced in pleural mesothelioma and pericardial
mesothelioma patients, chest pain can develop as the tumor grows and
places strain on the lungs and heart.
Pleural mesothelioma patients often develop difficulty swallowing
(esophageal dyphagia) as the mesothelium continues to grow on the lungs.
An effusion can occur in mesothelioma patients when there is fluid buildup affecting either the pleura or pericardium.
Hemoptysis, or the symptom of coughing up blood, can have its origins in the lungs, bronchi or trachea of mesothelioma patients.
Nausea is experienced in a number of cancer patients as it is often a
side effect of chemotherapy treatment. Those diagnosed with peritoneal
mesothelioma may also experience nausea as a result of increasing
abdominal pressure.
Peritoneal mesothelioma patients may experience a buildup of fluid in
the peritoneum as the tumor continues to grow. This can result in an
effusion which can inhibit the function of abdominal organs.
In pleural mesothelioma patients, pleural effusion may develop when
there is a large amount of fluid present in the pleura, the lining
between the lungs and chest cavity.
Weight loss can occur in mesothelioma patients as a side effect from
cancer treatment or as the result of other symptoms that may also be
present such as difficulty swallowing or nausea.
What are the most common warning signs of mesothelioma?
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