Mesothelioma

Please take a listen and or read about this disease. It is a serious disease and can happen to any of us.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

With Mesothelioma, the symptoms in the earliest stages tend to be mild or unnoticeable while the cancer is only present in the chest or in the abdomen. However, when the cancer grows and begins to press on a nerve or a separate body organ, it can then begin to cause symptoms. There are many symptoms while Mesothelioma is growing and these symptoms can be caused by illnesses other than Mesothelioma so it tends to be very hard to diagnose. It is important to see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms that are related to Mesothelioma especially if you have been exposed to asbestos at one point in your life.

There is a strong variety of mesothelioma symptoms because of the simple fact that there are different types of mesothelioma.  The symptoms that arise will completely depend on where the cancer is located. There are 3 types of mesothelioma.  Pleural mesothelioma (75% of all mesothelioma diagnoses) originates from inhaling asbestos and specifically growing tumors in the tissue lining of the lungs. 

The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma are as follows:

·         Hoarseness or a raspy voice

·         Loss of Appetite

·         High Fevers and Sweating

·         Fatigue and consistent tiredness

·         Chest Pain

·         Shortness of breath

·         Long-term persisting cough

·         Losing weight without changing your diet

·         Difficult time swallowing

·         Possible changes to the shaping of fingers and fingernails that is called “finger clubbing”

Another form of Mesothelioma is called Peritoneal Mesothelioma which is when the cancer cells originate in the abdomen. 

When this cancer spreads, the symptoms include:

·         Abdomen Pain

·         Swelling of the abdomen

·         Loss of appetite

·         Constipation and/or Diarrhea

·         Losing weight without a change in diet

·         Being ill or feeling sick

Some of the other general symptoms of Mesothelioma can include:

·         Blood clotting issues

·         Anemia, or a low level of red blood cells

·         Night Sweats

With Mesothelioma, as with any form of cancer, the best way to beat the disease is to catch it as early as possible. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is vital that you see a doctor right away. Your doctor will want to ask you how often you have been experiencing your symptoms and for how long to make a proper diagnosis.

If you are diagnosed with Mesothelioma, an important part of your treatment and care from the medical staff will be symptom relief. This part of your treatment can be called palliative care, supportive care, or symptom management. It is important to stay in contact with the health care professionals that are treating you and inform them about all of the symptoms you are experiencing, including new or changing symptoms.

It is important to remember that Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. The symptoms of Mesothelioma may not show until several years or even a few decades after the initial exposure. That is why it is important to closely monitor for all of the symptoms listed above if you have ever been exposed to asbestos.

If you do notice the symptoms listed for Mesothelioma, contact your personal health care provider right away. The earlier you get the proper diagnosis and treatment, the better. 

Sources

1. www.cancerresearchuk.org

2. www.cancer.net/cancer-types/mesothelioma

3. www.treatmesothelioma.org

4. www.cancer.org

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