Health information

Mesothelioma is usually a long waiting period, which means it will take many years between exposure to asbestos and the development of the disease. Moreover, patients with mesothelioma are usually not the symptoms until several decades after the first exposure to asbestos. Because the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of less serious illnesses, many asbestos cancer patients are not aware of their potentially dangerous condition for life.

Persons with a history of asbestos exposure to an appointment with their doctor to asbestos-related diseases to detect. Because mesothelioma has no early symptoms, people who had contact with asbestos, their doctor of their exposure to information. Patients with a history of asbestos exposure but no symptoms should receive chest radio graphs or pulmonary function tests for signs of asbestos-related diseases.

The most common form of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma forms in the lining of the lungs. Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include: persistent cough or hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, coughing the blood, pain, breathlessness, chest or rib pain, night sweats, fever produces, and unexplained weight loss. Fatigue and bumps under the skin of the breast have also been reported in patients with pleural mesothelioma. Many of the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma as a result of pleural thickening, caused by the accumulation of fluid between the layers of the membrane. Pleural thickening and swelling can cause pressure on the lungs, causing problems with breathing.

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdomen and is about 30% of cases of mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may cause swelling or pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting and a change in bowel habits. Peritoneal mesothelioma can also cause night sweats, fever, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, anemia and lumps under the skin of the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms develop due to thickening of the peritoneal membrane and accumulation of fluid between the layers of the membrane. These can put pressure on the abdomen and its organs, allowing the patient to experience symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma.

The less common form of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma develops in the sack around the heart. Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms include palpitations, chest pain, and fatigue, shortness of breath, fever and night sweats. These symptoms are caused by swelling and thickening of the pericardium membrane. Because it is rare pericardial mesothelioma, the list of symptoms is not as complete as other forms of mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose and usually has a poor prognosis.

People with symptoms of mesothelioma should seek immediate medical attention. Although mesothelioma shares symptoms with a variety of less serious illness, it is important to diagnose as soon as possible. Although the general prognosis for mesothelioma is poor, patients diagnosed at an early stage often have a better prognosis.