Common symptoms of mesothelioma include coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing and abdominal pain. Mesothelioma symptoms can improve treatment options and survival.
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Key Points
- Symptoms can vary according to the type and stage of mesothelioma.
- Asbestos exposure can take 10 – 50 years to cause symptoms.
- Early recognition of symptoms can allow for more treatment options.
- Palliative treatment can help improve symptoms and quality of life.
Common symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain, abdominal pain, coughing and difficulty breathing. The symptoms of mesothelioma cancer will vary depending on the type, stage and other factors.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can take decades after exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma symptoms are often mistaken for symptoms of other, more common diseases. Symptoms should be discussed with a doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis may improve prognosis.
7 Signs And Symptoms Of Mesothelioma
Common symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Abdominal pain
- Pain in chest
- rust
- breathing problem
- difficulty swallowing
- fatigue
- unnecessary weight loss
Symptoms will vary from patient to patient. These can vary depending on the type of cancer, stage, age of the patient and overall health. These factors may exacerbate symptoms or increase the severity of symptoms.
When Do Mesothelioma Symptoms Appear?
Symptoms of mesothelioma can take 10 – 50 years to emerge after initial asbestos exposure. This is the latency period.
If you think you have been exposed to asbestos, tell a doctor as soon as possible. Physicians can perform imaging scans and frequent tests to monitor for mesothelioma. Common imaging scans to look for the cause of symptoms include x-rays and CT scans.
If doctors diagnose mesothelioma early, the patient should:
- They may have other mesothelioma treatment options available
- Suitable for aggressive treatments, such as surgery
- Experience living longer by treating cancer before it spreads
Can The Symptoms Of Mesothelioma Be Misdiagnose?
The symptoms of mesothelioma are non-specific. As a result, patients and physicians may mistake the symptoms of mesothelioma for symptoms of other, more common conditions. Common mesothelioma misdiagnoses includelung cancer and pneumonia.
Asbestos exposure should be reported immediately to a doctor. Known history of asbestos exposure can help with an accurate diagnosis. In many cases symptoms may not appear until years after the initial exposure.
How Mesothelioma Symptoms Help With Diagnosis
Symptoms can provide doctors with a starting point for diagnosing mesothelioma. This is especially the case if patients show symptoms of common mesothelioma and have a known history of asbestos exposure.
If doctors can identify the location of symptoms, they can better determine what tests to do and where.
For example, if a patient is experiencing chest pain, a physician will likely perform a chest x-ray. If the patient has abdominal pain, their physician will likely focus on the abdominal cavity.
Once specialists have located the tumor, they can perform a biopsy. A biopsy is the only definitive way to diagnose mesothelioma. It will confirm the diagnosis of cancer and determine the type of cells.
Mesothelioma Giving Symptoms According To Type
The symptoms of mesothelioma cancer can vary depending on the type. This is because types of mesothelioma affect different parts of the body.
A Quick Guide To Types Of Mesothelioma
- Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the pleura.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).
- Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium).
- Testicular mesothelioma develops in the lining of the testis (tunica vaginalis).
Common Symptoms By Type Of Mesothelioma
Symptoms Of Pulmonary Mesothelioma
- Lower back or chest pain
- persistent cough
- coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- shortness of breath
- Accumulation of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion).
Symptoms Of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- abdominal pain and bloating
- fluid accumulation (peritoneal effusion)
- intestinal obstruction
- nausea to vomiting
- breathing problem
- weakness and loss of appetite
- unnecessary weight loss
Symptoms Of Pericardial Mesothelioma
- Irregular heartbeat or heart murmur
- fluid accumulation (pericardial effusion)
- shortness of breath
- Pain in chest
- fatigue
- Barn
Testicular Mesothelioma Giving Symptoms
- Pain in testis or groin
- testicles f extra fluid
- Epididymis given inflammation
- Nodules or masses in the scrotum
- Epididymis f cyst
Some patients may have other symptoms or be asymptomatic. One patient’s symptoms can be very different from another with the same diagnosis. Finally, patients should discuss what they are experiencing with a mesothelioma doctor.
Stages And Symptoms Of Mesothelioma
The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary significantly according to the stage. Patients diagnosed at an early stage often have fewer or less severe symptoms than patients with a long-term diagnosis.
Pain medication and other palliative treatments can help alleviate symptoms. This will improve patient comfort and quality of life.
In the early stages of mesothelioma, minimal spread occurs. Patients with stage 1 mesothelioma may notice coughing or chest/abdominal discomfort. By stage 2 they may experience shortness of breath and chest pain.
Stage 3andstage 4 mesothelioma indicate that cancer has spread to nearby organs and potentially lymph nodes. As cancer spreads, patients may experience additional symptoms. Existing symptoms may also be more severe.
What Other Factors Can Affect The Symptoms Of Mesothelioma?
There are specific characteristics of the individual that can influence symptoms. Examples include:
- Age:Older patients tend to have more symptoms or more severe symptoms than younger patients.
- Overall Health: Patients with underlying conditions or poor health may have worse symptoms than patients with good health.
- Amount of Exposure: Individuals exposed to large amounts of asbestos may experience symptoms sooner than others.
- Duration of Exposure: Individuals with long-term asbestos exposure may experience symptoms sooner than others with short-term exposure.
Patients with a history of asbestos exposure should discuss risk factors with their healthcare provider.
Can The Symptoms Of Mesothelioma Be Treat?
Palliative treatments can help mesothelioma patients cope with symptoms. Palliative care aims to keep the patient comfortable by reducing symptoms. As a result, patients’ quality of life may be better. In some cases, palliative care can also help extend survival.
To relieve discomfort, pain and other side effects, patients should:
- take pain medicine
- go to palliative surgery, chemotherapy, do radiation
- Participate in physical therapy
- take yoga or meditation classes
- Contact a mental health professional
- Work with a dietitian or nutritionist
For example, many mesothelioma patients have excess fluid buildup, which can cause pain and other symptoms. Surgery is a common option to remove tumors or fluid buildup. This can reduce pressure on the organs. Palliative surgery can help with chest pain, abdominal pain and difficulty breathing.Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can work in a similar way by shrinking tumors.
Patients should work with their medical care team to develop a treatment plan. Health providers can help patients navigate the physical and emotional side effects of their diagnosis.