Mesothelioma Symptoms and Signs
Mesothelioma symptoms differ based on the location where the tumor first formed. It usually begins in the tissue that covers your lungs, however it could also begin in the tissue of your abdomen (peritoneum).
A doctor will request a physical exam and medical tests to find the severity of your symptoms are. These tests may include blood tests, imaging scans or biopsy.
Chest Pain
Chest pain is a frequent mesothelioma symptom, particularly in pleural mesothelioma. It occurs when tumors grow and press against the chest nerves and lungs. This can lead to the accumulation of fluid around the lungs, called a Pleural effusion. This is also seen in peritoneal msothelioma which develops on the abdomen's lining.
The majority of mesothelioma-related symptoms don't appear until the late stages of the cancer. The tumors of the cancer are small at the beginning and do not cause any harm to organs until later stages.
Patients must be aware of any unusual symptoms and notify an expert in mesothelioma. This will ensure that the illness is diagnosed as soon as possible so that treatment can begin to slow or stop the progress.
Mesothelioma, a rare cancer is not recognized by a lot of doctors. This means that it could take weeks or months before mesothelioma can be diagnosed. This delay could allow the cancer to grow and cause life-threatening complications.
If you or someone you know has suffered any unusual symptoms, consult a mesothelioma expert to learn more about asbestos exposure and how it can impact health. Patients should bring their mesothelioma symptoms checklist to their doctor to assist in identifying mesothelioma-related symptoms. Veterans should be aware of this, since mesothelioma experts can help veterans get VA benefits. These benefits are available to those who were in the military and were exposed asbestos. Our team can also refer you with a mesothelioma-specific support group for more information. Call or submit our contact form today. We are committed to helping our clients and their families find the best care.
Loss of Appetite
Many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma in the later stages report a loss of appetite which can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. This symptom may be related to pleural or peritoneal cancer, and it may occur as the cancer spreads.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that shows no symptoms in the beginning, and can be mistaken for more common ailments such as pneumonia and bronchitis. This misdiagnosis can delay treatment and lead to a less favorable prognosis.
A physical exam and an examination of your asbestos exposure could help diagnose mesothelioma. They may also perform tests to find mesothelioma-related tumors or signs. These tests include chest X-rays as well as CT scans. These tests can reveal the location of a cancer and whether it has affected nearby tissue or organs.
These tests can also reveal fluid accumulation between the lungs and the chest wall, called a pleural effusion. This can lead to breathing difficulties, especially if it causes discomfort. Doctors can drain excess pleural liquid through an ultrasound-guided nebulizer aspiration.
If imaging scans indicate mesothelioma could be a possibility doctors can conduct biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and determine how far the cancer spread. A biopsy involves using an instrument to remove an insignificant portion of the affected or tumored tissue, and then analyzing it under microscope to determine if it contains cancer cells. A biopsy is the last step in the treatment for mesothelioma. Patients may also undergo other tests to determine if their cancer has spread. These tests could include a PET scan or FDG-PET, mediastinoscopy, EBUS or other tests. These tests can determine if mesothelioma spread to the heart or lungs.
Shortness of breath
Patients with mesothelioma are often afflicted with breathlessness. The condition is made worse by lung damage resulting from the cancer and by complications of treatment like pleural effusion. Fluid accumulates between the two pleura layer around the lungs, causing an edema called pleural. This restricts the lungs' capacity to expand, which can reduce oxygen levels within the body.
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the type and stage. The most common early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness, chest pain and dry cough. Many times, mesothelioma patients are mistakenly diagnosed with pneumonia and mesothelioma symptoms near death are not given an accurate diagnosis until later in the course of.
The most common asbestos-related symptoms manifest in pleural (lung) mesothelioma. These symptoms can also be seen in the abdomen that is affected by mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Peritoneal Mesothelioma symptoms are not as common, but can result in abdominal pain and digestive problems.
The cough that is caused by asbestosis can be dry or wet, resulting in the phlegm. The cough may be painful and disrupt sleep. Patients can control their cough by taking medications, such as simple linctus, which is available over-the counter and some painkillers that contain codeine or morphine.
In severe cases, pleural mesothelioma can cause pulmonary fibrosis. a condition that causes the lung tissues to thicken and clump together. This can make breathing difficult and increase the possibility of pneumothorax, which is an extremely serious complication. The condition can be caused by a variety of illnesses, but mesothelioma appears to be the most likely culprit. A lung biopsy can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and help doctors recommend the most appropriate treatment. For instance, a physician can prescribe medication that can help improve pulmonary fibrosis, such as dexamethasone and prednisolone.
Weight Loss
Mesothelioma can be mistakenly diagnosed due to its long duration of latency. This can have a significant impact on the patient's prognosis, treatment options and quality of life. Shortness of breath, dry cough and other pleural mesothelioma-related symptoms could be mistaken for lung infections, heart disease, or other respiratory diseases. Similar to peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms like abdominal pain and swelling could be mistaken for hernia or IBS or irritable bowel syndrome. (IBS).
Patients with mesothelioma might lose weight due to difficulty swallowing, breathing, or tumor progression. Additionally, the nausea and vomiting that accompany chemotherapy can result in decreased appetite. This can result in an illness called cachexia, which is a condition in which cancer patients lose weight and muscle mass.
If you experience unexplained weight loss, it's important to see an expert as soon as you can. They may run a variety of tests to determine the source of your symptoms. In addition, your physician may recommend dietary changes or prescription medications to help manage the weight loss.
CAM can be used to decrease the severity of symptoms. However, patients with mesothelioma should speak with their doctor before attempting any alternative therapies. For example, acupuncture and other mind-body practices can reduce the pain. Additionally, prescription pain medication can be used to treat mesothelioma symptoms that are severe or debilitating.
Painful Cough
Patients with pleural asbestosis often experience symptoms like chest pain and breathlessness. These symptoms, as well as weight loss and a coughing episode, can be mistaken for less serious conditions like influenza or pneumonia. This confusion leads to mesothelioma being misdiagnosed in its early stages. If you have been exposed to asbestos, be sure to report these symptoms to your doctor. You should also get an additional opinion if you suspect mesothelioma.
The location of tumors in mesothelioma will determine the type of symptoms patients be experiencing. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lining of the lungs (pleura) and abdomen. It can also occur in the peritoneum or the heart's lining (pericardium). Mesothelioma is not contagious but is treatable if it is detected early.
A pleural mesothelioma doctor will perform physical exams and imaging scans in order to diagnose the disease. The doctor will also take samples of tissue for biopsy to confirm mesothelioma.
As mesothelioma progresses it can lead to the formation of fluid within the pleura, referred to as a pleural effusion. The fluid can cause pain and decrease lung function. In some instances, doctors drain the pleural fluid through the procedure known as thoracentesis. This procedure can ease symptoms and make breathing easier.
The cancer can spread into the lung's tissues and muscles in the later stages of pleural mesothelioma. This can result in a painful cough that won't go away. Some patients have had surgery to remove the tumor and repair the lung's lining. Some have had their pleural fluid drained via an indwelling stent to alleviate pain and discomfort. Pleural mesothelioma is treatable in its early stages to improve quality of life and increase life expectancy.