Symptoms Of Mesothelioma
Symptoms Of Mesothelioma
The long latency period attached to mesothelioma
means that the symptoms of this disease can take many years to
manifest, making both diagnosis and effective treatment very difficult.
And even when the symptoms do become evident, which can take several
decades, the symptoms are so generalised and non-specific that they
could be put down to any number of more common diseases. This makes it
hard for even experienced doctors to make a quick and conclusive
diagnosis with mesothelioma patients. The symptoms of this disease can often be confused with pneumonia during its early stages.
Some of the most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma
(which is the most common form of the disease) are shortness of breath
and chest pains. This may be accompanied by a persistent cough, and all
of these symptoms stem from the build up of fluid between the lining of
the lung and the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. This
type of the disease starts in the chest cavity and can then spread to
other parts of the body. Pleural mesothelioma sufferers may also
begin to display severe breathing difficulty, weight loss and fever as
well as trouble swallowing and even swelling of the face and neck. Some
patients may also develop a rasping voice and start coughing up blood.
However, there are other patients that may not show any significant
symptoms at all.
The symptoms for patients who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma
(a rarer form of the disease) are slightly different. This type of the
disease starts in the abdomen and can spread form there. Patients of
peritoneal mesothelioma can display abdominal pain and swelling,
nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting. They can also suffer breathing
problems, and chest pain in addition to these symptoms. These symptoms
result from tumours that lean against the abdominal wall. Bowel
obstruction, anaemia, fever and problems with blood clotting may also
affect peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
The rarest form of this disease is pericardial mesothelioma, which starts in the cavity surrounding the heart. With pericardial mesothelioma, the tumours grow in the tissues that surround the heart and can spread from there. Pericardial mesothelioma sufferers may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent coughing and palpitations.
As the disease moves into the later stages, the symptoms for all types of mesothelioma
become more acute and obvious, although they can still often be put
down to another illness. It is therefore important for patients to
inform their doctor if they have been exposed to asbestos at any point –
or even if they suspect they may have been exposed to asbestos. This
will enable the doctor to make a more informed diagnosis rather than
basing his diagnosis on guess work. It is also important not to ignore
any of these symptoms, especially if they are experienced over a long
period. Many people can be exposed to asbestos inadvertently (e.g.
through the clothes of someone that has worked with asbestos) so it is
important to visit your doctor should any of these symptoms manifest.
With pleural mesothelioma being
the most common form of the disease, the symptom associated with this
form of the cancer are the most common ones that are displayed by
patients. However, it is important to be fully aware of the symptoms for
all three types of mesothelioma, particularly for those who have worked in high risk professions where they may have been exposed to asbestos.
Most people who have worked with asbestos in the past do not begin to show symptoms of mesothelioma
until thirty to forty years later. By this time, the disease is already
spreading and with the delay in diagnosis, makes it impossible to treat
in many cases before it is too late. However, the cause, effects and
symptoms of mesothelioma are now becoming more widely known by
professionals and lay people. This awareness, coupled with the current
clinical trials that are being carried out by a variety of organizations
gives patients the hope that an effective treatment will one day be
available for all stages of the disease.
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