Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The primary source of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. If you have been exposed to asbestos, please consult with your doctor immediately. Mesothelioma symptoms are very common and typical to other diseases, such as pneumonia, flu or stomach viruses. Therefore, doctors can misdiagnose mesothelioma for another illness. This delay in appropriate diagnosis costs the patient precious time.
Because of the long latency period of 20 to 40 years, mesothelioma is often diagnosed in the late stages of the disease. This, coupled with potential misdiagnosis of the disease, creates a serious situation for the patient. It is important to have regular check-ups by a doctor who knows your history. Early diagnosis of any disease, particularly asbestos cancers such as mesothelioma, will have a direct impact on the quality and effectiveness of treatment.
There are three types of mesothelioma: pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma. The symptoms are ordinary but important to know, particularly if you have been exposed to asbestos.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

• Coughing
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss
• Facial swelling
• Severe breathing difficulties
• Rasping voice
• Coughing up blood
• Back pain
• Fluid build up between the chest wall and lungs (known as pleural effusion)
• Night sweats

Pleural effusion is one of the most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. As described above, fluid builds up between the chest wall and lungs.  While a small amount of fluid is normal, too much fluid results in an effusion.

Pleural effusions have two categories:

1. Transudates (clear fluid forming because of an imbalance between normal production and removal of fluid)
2. Exudates (a disease of the pleura, common to mesothelioma)

To determine which type of effusion is present, a needle or catheter is used to extract a sample.  Diagnosis can also be accomplished with a chest x-ray, CT scans or ultrasound.

Pleural effusions can be caused by other conditions, such as heart failure or infection. Therefore, the diagnostic process is important to determine the exact cause of the pleural effusion.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:

• Swelling
• Abdominal pain and weakness
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal swelling
• Bowel obstruction

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

• Persistent coughing
• Chest pain
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath

If you have any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor to determine the cause. Always let your doctor know if you have been exposed to asbestos to facilitate the correct diagnosis.