Patients with mesothelioma generally do not demonstrate symptoms of this disease until 20 to 50 years after their initial exposure to asbestos. Fibers that embed in the tissue surrounding the body’s internal organs, the mesothelium, usually must be present for many decades before the development of cancer. These fibers gradually accumulate and cause scarring, which leads to inflammation and cancer. Although these fibers are most often introduced into the body through inhalation, the material can also be introduced through ingestion as well.
As a result of this slow development and long delay between asbestos exposure and cancer growth, individuals frequently overlook initial symptoms of mesothelioma. Furthermore, these symptoms often mimic those of less serious illnesses, leading to a common delay in seeking treatment. Unfortunately, this delay can limit treatment options and effectiveness. Therefore, it remains vital for any individuals who suspect past asbestos exposure to seek medical screening for the disease, even if symptoms are not currently present.
Early Symptoms
Early symptoms of mesothelioma are generally absent in patients, leading to the disease’s late diagnosis. However, it remains vital for those who underwent exposure to seek regular imaging and diagnostic tests to help detect any latent signs of mesothelioma development. Individuals who underwent prolonged asbestos contact should be even more attentive to this risk, as length and intensity of exposure is strongly correlated with the development of mesothelioma.
Several important steps after diagnosis exist for patients struggling with mesothelioma. These steps can be the difference between succumbing to the disease quickly and maintaining a high quality of life while fighting this illness.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
The most common form of this disease, pleural mesothelioma makes up approximately 75% of all mesothelioma cases. Developing in the pulmonary (lung) region, symptoms of this disease include:
* Persistent dry cough without phlegm
* Blood in the sputum (fluid) or coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
* Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
* Inexplicable weight loss
* Fatigue
* Sweating or fever
* Persistent chest or rib area pain, painful breathing
* Inexplicable shortness of breath (dyspnea)
* Development of lumps under the skin on the chest
Pleural mesothelioma symptoms generally result from the thickening of the membrane surrounding the lungs, brought on by rapidly-developing cancer cells. This rapid cell production frequently leads to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion), which brings on the most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, including shortness of breath, inexplicable cough and chest pain.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
The second most common form of mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, develops in the tissue surrounding the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:
* Nausea or vomiting
* Inexplicable weight loss
* Sweating or fever
* Swelling or pain in the abdomen
* Anemia
* Fatigue
* Diarrhea, constipation or any other inexplicable changes in the bowels
* Development of lumps under the skin on the abdomen
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms generally result from the thickening of the membrane surrounding the abdomen, brought on by rapidly-developing cancer cells. This rapid cell production frequently leads to an accumulation of fluid between the membrane layers in this area, placing pressure on the abdomen and bringing on these symptoms.
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms
Less than 5% of mesothelioma patients develop this form of the disease, which is present in the membrane surrounding the heart. Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are brought on by a thickening of the pericardial membrane and subsequent fluid buildup. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include:
* Heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat
* Pain in the chest
* Inexplicable difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
* Sweating or fever
* Fatigue
Because this form of mesothelioma so rarely affects patients, its symptoms are not as widely recognized, making this condition more difficult to diagnose. This difficulty in diagnosis makes treating this disease especially difficult, leading to a generally-poorer prognosis for this form of mesothelioma than others.
Testicular Mesothelioma Symptoms
Since 1950, less than 100 cases of this form of mesothelioma have been recorded, making it extremely rare. Because of this rare appearance, the symptoms of this disease remain largely unknown. Today, the only recognized symptom of testicular mesothelioma is testicular lumps.
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