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The long latency period attached to
Mesothelioma means that the symptoms of this disease can
take many years to manifest, making both diagnosis and
effective treatment very difficult. And even when the
symptoms do become evident, which can take several decades,
the symptoms are so generalized and non-specific that they
could be put down to any number of more common diseases.
This makes it hard for even experienced doctors to make a
quick and conclusive diagnosis with Mesothelioma patients.
The symptoms of this disease can often be confused with
pneumonia during its early stages.
Some of the most common symptoms of pleural Mesothelioma
(which is the most common form of the disease) are shortness
of breath and chest pains. This may be accompanied by a
persistent cough, and all of these symptoms stem from the
build up of fluid between the lining of the lung and the
chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. This type
of the disease starts in the chest cavity and can then
spread to other parts of the body. Pleural Mesothelioma
sufferers may also begin to display severe breathing
difficulty, weight loss and fever as well as trouble
swallowing and even swelling of the face and neck. Some
patients may also develop a rasping voice and start coughing
up blood. However, there are other patients that may not
show any significant symptoms at all.
The symptoms for patients who suffer from peritoneal
Mesothelioma (a rarer form of the disease) are slightly
different. This type of the disease starts in the abdomen
and can spread form there. Patients of peritoneal
Mesothelioma can display abdominal pain and swelling,
nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting. They can also suffer
breathing problems, and chest pain in addition to these
symptoms. These symptoms result from tumors that lean
against the abdominal wall. Bowel obstruction, anemia, fever
and problems with blood clotting may also affect peritoneal
Mesothelioma patients.
The rarest form of this disease is
pericardial Mesothelioma, which starts in the cavity
surrounding the heart. With pericardial Mesothelioma, the
tumors grow in the tissues that surround the heart and can
spread from there. Pericardial Mesothelioma sufferers may
experience chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent
coughing and palpitations.
As the disease moves into the later
stages, the symptoms for all types of Mesothelioma become
more acute and obvious, although they can still often be put
down to another illness. It is therefore important for
patients to inform their doctor if they have been exposed to
asbestos at any point – or even if they suspect they may
have been exposed to asbestos. This will enable the doctor
to make a more informed diagnosis rather than basing his
diagnosis on guess work. It is also important not to ignore
any of these symptoms, especially if they are experienced
over a long period. Many people can be exposed to asbestos
inadvertently (e.g. through the clothes of someone that has
worked with asbestos) so it is important to visit your
doctor should any of these symptoms manifest.
With pleural Mesothelioma being the most common form
of the disease, the symptom associated with this form of the
cancer are the most common ones that are displayed by
patients. However, it is important to be fully aware of the
symptoms for all three types of Mesothelioma, particularly
for those who have worked in high risk professions where
they may have been exposed to asbestos.
Most people who have worked with asbestos in the past do not
begin to show symptoms of Mesothelioma until thirty to forty
years later. By this time, the disease is already spreading
and with the delay in diagnosis, makes it impossible to
treat in many cases before it is too late. However, the
cause, effects and symptoms of Mesothelioma are now becoming
more widely known by professionals and lay people.
This awareness, coupled with the current
clinical trials that are being carried out by a variety of
organizations gives patients the hope that an effective
treatment will one day be available for all stages of the
disease. |
