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Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Writer : dR. Sabrina Olan

Symptoms of Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Signs and Symptoms

In the later stages of mesothelioma, symptoms usually don't show up until the cancer has progressed quite far. Even at its most advanced stages, mesothelioma can go undetected because the symptoms are so subtle or mimic those of more common ailments. Mesothelioma can develop decades after an individual has been exposed to asbestos. As a result, if you know that you have been exposed to asbestos at work, at home, or through a product, you should tell your doctor about it immediately.

When diagnosed with mesothelioma, the best way to treat it is to catch it early before it spreads to other parts of the body. The symptoms of mesothelioma cancer usually don't show up until the cancer has spread throughout the body. If you have been exposed to asbestos and are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention. The following are signs and symptoms that you may have mesothelioma:

  • Wheezing dry cough
  • Difficulty breathing/Shortness of breath
  • Pain in chest or abdomen
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Pleural effusion
  • Peritoneal effusion
  • Anemia
  • Fever
  • Night sweats
  • Fatigue/Lethargy
  • General weakness

Mesothelioma Symptoms According to the Types of the Disease

In many ways, the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those seen in other types of cancer. Some of the symptoms of mesothelioma can be found in all of the different forms of the disease. Pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and testicular mesothelioma each have their own set of symptoms, which are detailed below.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

The most common type of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma develops in the thin lining that separates the chest cavity from the lung. Asbestos can enter the pleural lining through the inhalation of asbestos fibers or dust. Pleural mesothelioma is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Pain in the chest
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dry cough
  • Coughing up blood
  • Pleural effusion

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Tumors in the lining of the abdomen are caused by the second most common form of mesothelioma, peritonitis. Peritoneal mesothelioma can present with any or all of the following symptoms:

  • Fluid build-up in abdomen
  • Pain in the abdomen
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue/Lethargy
  • Obstructed bowels

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

This type of mesothelioma is extremely rare, and tumors form in the heart's lining. Pericardial mesothelioma is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Pain in the chest
  • Difficulty breathing

Testicular Mesothelioma Symptoms

There are only a few cases of testicular mesothelioma, and tumors form in the lining of the testicles. In the event that you have testicular mesothelioma, you may experience any or all of the following symptoms:

  • Lump on the testicle

Read more:

Mesothelioma Cancer
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