Mesothelioma symptoms are not specific to the disease; that is, many mesothelioma symptoms are also symptoms of other medical problems. Most studies show that the symptoms of mesotheliomausually begin to appear 30 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos. Thus, many mesothelioma patients are unaware that the symptoms they are experiencing are related to something that happened much earlier in their lives. Even a short period of asbestos expousure (as little as a few months) can create the conditions for a disease that erupts much later in life.
Mesothelioma affects the lining of various cavities in the body. Over time, the growth of cancerous tumors causes these tissues to expand and gather fluid. The presence of excess fluid is typically what causes the symptoms to occur. Mesothelioma symptoms also depend on the location of the tumors. Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms For pleural mesothelioma, or mesothelioma of the lining surrounding the lung, common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and a persistent cough. Unfortunately, these symptoms are also very common for a number of other ailments, including pneumonia. The most common symptom is localized chest pain, but this may not occur until the disease is well advanced. A less common but still prevalent symptom of pleural mesothelioma is weight loss. Some patients show virtually no symptoms.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the abdominal lining. Symptoms include swelling or a mass in the abdomen, weight loss and abdominal pain. Bowel obstruction and blood clots also have been known to occur and fever is sometimes present.
Pericardial Mesothelioma SymptomsPericardial mesothelioma affects the lining of the heart, or pericardium. Symptoms include chest pain, cough, irregular heart beat and irregular breathing patterns. Many of these symptoms manifest during physical exertion – even minimal exertion. Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest type of mesothelioma.The earlier cancer is detected – mesothelioma or otherwise – the more effective treatment aimed at halting its progression will be.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the abdominal lining. Symptoms include swelling or a mass in the abdomen, weight loss and abdominal pain. Bowel obstruction and blood clots also have been known to occur and fever is sometimes present.
Pericardial Mesothelioma SymptomsPericardial mesothelioma affects the lining of the heart, or pericardium. Symptoms include chest pain, cough, irregular heart beat and irregular breathing patterns. Many of these symptoms manifest during physical exertion – even minimal exertion. Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest type of mesothelioma.The earlier cancer is detected – mesothelioma or otherwise – the more effective treatment aimed at halting its progression will be.
After a thorough physical exam your physician may order a procedure called thoracoscopy in order to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. With a thoracoscopy the physician makes a small incision into the chest and takes a small sample of lung tissue for biopsy. This tissue is then sent to the lab where it is studied to determine whether or not it is cancerous. Also, the doctor may use a device called peritoneoscope which looks inside the abdomen and can also be used to collect tissue samples for additional study. If these tests prove to be inconclusive, more tests will be ordered to determine if the mesothelioma symptoms are actually mesothelioma or another disease.
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