Despite numerous reported mesothelioma cases, this remains to be one of the most
fatal forms cancer that is almost untreatable. The signs and symptoms of
mesothelioma could be very common which is why the patient may just take it for
granted. Sometimes the symptoms could also be non-specific which often results
to very late diagnosis since they could be mistaken as a result of more common
diseases. For instance, symptoms are frequently mistaken as signs of pneumonia.
More often than not the symptoms start manifesting from two to three months
before mesothelioma is detected. And these symptoms may appear only after 30 to
50 years after exposure to asbestos.
The following are common early symptoms of mesothelioma. If you or your loved
one is suffering from any of the following symptoms immediately check with your
physician.
• Blood in the sputum
• A cough or change in cough pattern
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Shortness of
breath
• Pain in the chest or abdomen
• Weight loss
• Immune deficiency related illnesses such as colds
There are more symptoms associated to each type of mesotholioma cancer. The
linings of the chest and lungs are called pleura. Pleural mesothelioma affects
these regions of the body. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, which is the most
commonly occurring type, are weight loss but to related with shift in diet,
extreme tiredness, difficulty in swallowing, raspy or hoarse voice, constant
shortness of breath, cough that has been recurring for a long time, chest pains,
back pains, extreme sweating and recurring fever. Pleural mesothelioma patients
suffer from pleural effusion or a buildup of liquid in the pleural space or
chest cavity.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma affects the stomach and the abdomen. Other affected
organs are the bowel, liver and spleen. Symptoms include pain on the belly area,
abdominal swelling, recurring constipation or diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss
of appetite, breathing problems, chest pain, fever, foot swelling, anemia and
even blood clotting abnormalities.
The rarest form of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma. This type affects
the heart and the cavity that surrounds the heart called the pericardium. It can
cause some or all of the following symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath,
persistent coughing, dyspnea and palpitations. Patients suffering from this kind
of mesothelioma also suffers from pericardial effusion, or a collection of fluid
in the sac that surrounds the heart.
If the cancer cells has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the
body, symptoms like pain, trouble swallowing or swelling of the neck or face may
be experienced by the patient.
