Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Early symptoms of mesothelioma are not specific to the disease. People often ignore them or mistake them for common, minor ailments. Most people with mesothelioma have symptoms for only 2 to 3 months before they are diagnosed. About one-fourth have symptoms for at least six months prior to their diagnosis.
Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen .
Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include:
- Bowel obstruction ,
- Blood clotting abnormalities,
- Anemia
- Fever.
If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
Unfortunately, the early mesothelioma symptoms are often ignored or mistaken for minor ailments because they are not specific to the disease.
It is therefore critical to investigate one's exposure to asbestos. While pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, cough, fever, sweating, fatigue and weight loss may be common to many minor ailments, it is very likely that these may be the mesothelioma symptoms, hence the person should raise a red flag.
It is therefore critical to investigate one's exposure to asbestos. While pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, cough, fever, sweating, fatigue and weight loss may be common to many minor ailments, it is very likely that these may be the mesothelioma symptoms, hence the person should raise a red flag.
Mesothelioma symptoms and signs from mesothelioma depend upon location of the mesothelioma, its size and whether it is benign or malignant. Benign forms of the disease are generally asymptomatic. The symptomatology of malignant mesothelioma is due to tumour growth resulting in invasion of surrounding structures and/or the production of fluid ( pleural effusion , ascites, or pericardial effusion). Chest pain may be caused by invasion of the chest wall. Pleural effusion causes collapse of adjacent lung and shortness of breath.
Patients with more advanced disease may be ill generally with fever, night sweats and weight loss.
Patients with more advanced disease may be ill generally with fever, night sweats and weight loss.
Involvement of the membrane around the heart (pericardium) may cause heart rhythm disturbances.
Bottom line on Mesothelioma Symptoms.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.