Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms often are attributed to other causes. If you have been exposed to asbestos and you experience any of the following symptoms, it is imperative that you alert your doctor to your exposure history so an accurate diagnosis can be made and treatment can begin.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath Pleural mesothelioma inhibits the ability of the lungs to expand and contract. This can make it difficult to breathe normally. Shortness of breath is one of the main pleural mesothelioma symptoms, often first experienced when taking steps, or performing light physical activity. Physical tasks that were once performed easily now can cause significant shortness of breath, also known as “dyspnea”.
• Chest or pleural pain Pain often caused by accumulation of pleural fluid (pleural effusion) is one of the most common pleural mesothelioma symptoms. One of the first steps normally taken in the hospital is the draining of the pleural fluid to relieve the pressure in the chest. Several liters of fluid can typically be drained from the chest, and the fluid may be tested as the first diagnostic technique used to determine if mesothelioma exists. Unfortunately, pleural fluid tends to re-accumulate, causing the chest discomfort and pain to reoccur.
• Cough Patients often report a chronic or persistent coughing among other possible pleural mesothelioma symptoms.
• Weakness Weakness or malaise is commonly reported in combination with other pleural mesothelioma symptoms.
• Loss of weight or appetite Pleural mesothelioma patients often report, among other pleural mesothelioma symptoms, that they have lost their appetite and are losing weight. This may be caused by the spread of the disease and its effect on other organs.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms may include:

• Abdominal Pain Peritoneal mesothelioma usually invades the abdominal cavity and causes pain associated with nerves and affected abdominal organs.
• Cramping or Diarrhea Peritoneal mesothelioma may affect abdominal organs thereby impairing the ability to have normal bowel movements. The cancer may also cause bowel obstruction among other peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms.
• Inability to Eat Inability to eat is one of the main peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms reported by patients. Eating may be painful because of the location of the cancer. There may also be a severe loss of appetite.

If a person experiences one or more of the mesothelioma symptoms discussed above, it is important to consult with qualified mesothelioma doctors as early as possible to conduct necessary tests and undertake treatments, if diagnosed with mesothelioma.