Symptoms and warning
signs of malignant mesothelioma are often much
more difficult to notice because in most cases, they don’t begin to show until
several decades after asbestos exposure. When symptoms do finally
appear, they are often extremely mild in the beginning and most people haven’t
a clue that these are actually warning signs of a dire medical issue. When
early symptoms do develop, people will often mistake the warning signs for a
cold, flu, or other less severe and common illnesses. It’s imperative though,
to always listen to your body. If you’ve ever worked around asbestos or used
products containing asbestos, do not ignore even the slightest hint of a cold.
You should seek medical assistance immediately.
If you have mesothelioma cancer due
to the negligence of another party, such as a manufacturer who supplied
asbestos products to your workplace, you may be entitled to compensation. Right
now, there is over $30 billion available in trust funds that have
been set aside for those affected by asbestos. Feel free to fill out our
contact form today so we can help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Beware: Mesothelioma Can Mimic the Common Cold
The majority of
victims do not seek help even after the first symptoms of mesothelioma arrive
because the ailments, as previously stated, closely mimic common respiratory
illnesses. To complicate matters even worse, pleural mesothelioma victims are
prone to pneumonia. Yet, instead of connecting the pneumonia to mesothelioma,
the victim is often times treated for the pneumonia only.
In addition to
cold and/or flu-like symptoms, some of the earliest indications and warning
signs of mesothelioma cancer are lethargy, coughing, body aches, and shortness
of breath. As previously mentioned, these symptoms are so similar to colds and
flus that many victims still continue to ignore the early warning signs. Keep
in mind that these symptoms apply to all forms of mesothelioma, but additional
symptoms and warning signs may develop as well, depending upon the type of
mesothelioma you have.
Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
Since lung
mesothelioma affects the chest area and respiratory system, many of the
symptoms of pleural mesothelioma will be in that area of the body. Hacking, dry
coughs, wheezing, chest pain, the inability to fully expand the chest, and dyspnea
is some of the most common warning signs and evidence of pleural mesothelioma.
In addition, close to 60% of mesothelioma victims have complained of back pain,
usually in the lower area of the back. Sometimes the pain will spread from the
chest into the shoulder areas.
Pleural plaques are
another common sign of pleural mesothelioma, but usually will go undetected by
the victim. Imaging machines almost always need to be used to see pleural
plaques. Pleural plaques appear in clusters scattered throughout the victim’s
chest area, ranging in sizes up to 6 cm and more.
In severe cases of
pleural mesothelioma, victims may experience:
·
Tumor masses
·
A lung collapsing
·
Coughing up blood
·
Blood clots in the veins
·
Blood clots in the lung’s arteries (pulmonary emboli)
·
Jaundice
·
Ascites
·
Extreme swelling in the face and arms
·
Dysphagia (difficulty with swallowing)
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal
mesothelioma affects the cells walls that line the abdomen, also known as the
mesothelium. The mesothelium contains two layers of cells that cover and
protect the body’s internal organs. When the cells around the abdomen are
affected, they become abnormal, multiply, and become cancerous. When asbestos
fibers are ingested or inhaled, they can make their way down to the peritoneum.
Most cases of peritoneal mesothelioma are caused by working at a job site that
was at one time associated with high amounts of asbestos use. In addition,
peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma, affecting under 2
people per million in the United States each year.
Physician will
normally suspect peritoneal mesothelioma when patients complain of the most common
symptoms (see symptoms below). A series of tests and scans are usually
performed before an accurate diagnosis is made. The only sure way to determine
if a victim is suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma is through fluid testing.
A needle is used to withdraw fluid via the abdominal area. The fluid is then
sent off to diagnostics for tests. If malignant cells are found, further
testing will follow, which is necessary in order to confirm the cells are
malignant.
·
Abdominal Pain and Swelling
·
Fluid buildup up in the abdominal area
·
Fatigue and lethargy
·
Lumps of tissue clumped together in the abdominal area (usually
under the skin)
·
Unusual weight loss
·
Shortness of breath
·
Difficulty with breathing
·
Cachexia (loss of appetite and physical weakness)
·
Hernias
·
Anemia
·
Night sweats
·
Changes in bowel movements: bouts of constipation and/or
diarrhea
Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial
mesothelioma affects the lining of the heart and is currently the most rare
form of mesothelioma. How asbestos fibers reach the lining of the heart is
still unknown, but scientists have stated that since the fibers are so small,
there is a chance they go into the body’s bloodstream and then make their to
the heart lining. In addition, mesothelioma in other areas, such as pleural
mesothelioma, can eventually grow to a point where it reaches the pericardial
area.
Victims of pericardial
mesothelioma most often have a poor prognosis. Physicians will usually look for
treatments as a means to reduce pressure and relieve pain, such as radiation
therapy and chemotherapy, instead of as way to remove the cancer. Detailed
diagnostic and biopsy testing sessions are usually performed before an accurate
diagnosis can be made.
·
Chest pain
·
Wheezing
·
Thickening of the pericardium
·
Feeling tired and sluggish
·
Fever
Testicular and Ovarian Mesothelioma
If males are suffering
from testicular mesothelioma, tumors will be present in the testicles, and
females suffering from ovarian mesothelioma will have ovarian tumors and cysts.
More research is still needed on these two forms of mesothelioma in order to
get a more accurate description of additional symptoms. However, as science
continues to progress, more information regarding these types of mesothelioma cancers will become
available.
Currently, scientists
have a few theories on how victims develop testicular mesothelioma. One theory
suggests that cancerous growth from other areas of the body somehow amass to a
point in which the testicles are affected. Another theory suggests that nodules
on the serosal surface of the testicles eventually develop into mesothelioma.
The nodules, typically firm and either yellow or white in color, will thicken
over time, which causes abnormal cells to quickly grow and multiply.
Although testicular
and ovarian mesothelioma cancer is extremely rare, the life expectancy of
victims is extremely grim. On average, victims are often told that life
expectancy is less than two years.
Timespan Before Mesothelioma Symptoms Arrive
As aforementioned, it
usually takes quite some time before the first symptoms of mesothelioma emerge.
Physicians state that most often it takes anywhere from 30 to 50 years after
the exposure of asbestos for the first mesothelioma symptoms to appear. This
goes for all types of mesothelioma,
although symptoms for peritoneal mesothelioma tend to show up slightly sooner,
at anywhere from 20 to 30 years. If you’ve been exposed to asbestos or think
you’ve been exposed, it’s imperative that you not only inform your doctor, but
also have regular health check-ups.
In a study performed
by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, it was determined that
the average period before mesothelioma detection is around 32 years. However,
since the symptoms are mild at first, most victims don’t get diagnosed until
much later, when the disease has progressed and the symptoms have become much
worse.
When to See Your Doctor
Most mesothelioma
victims wait until they begin having severe symptoms before consulting with a
physician. As previously mentioned, however, it’s extremely important to
make an appointment and have a check-up as soon as possible if you’ve been
exposed to asbestos. Letting your doctor know that you’ve been exposed can help
you get a diagnosis more quickly and start mesothelioma treatments.
It’s also important to
remember that not all victims will experience the same symptoms. While some
victims may only exhibit a few of the common symptoms, others may experience
the full range of symptoms. Regardless, even the first hint of a cold or respiratory
illness should be considered serious by anyone who has been exposed to
asbestos.
Where to Get Medical Help
When dealing with an
asbestos-related illness, it’s important to seek medical help from doctors and
clinics who specialize in these forms of cancers. Mesothelioma is considered a
new disease, but several physicians possess in-depth training and research on
asbestos-related illnesses. In addition, medical centers backed by National
Cancer Institute (NCI) are considered the forefront in dealing with all types
of cancers, including malignant
mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung
cancer, and more. It’s recommended that victims of asbestos diseases seek
treatment at a NCI-designated medical facility.
To learn more about
services and treatment and to find an NCI-designated facility in your area,
call the National Cancer Institute to inquire about treatment centers close to
you.
Additional Information
Keep in mind that if
you’ve been a victim of an asbestos-related disease, our experienced mesothelioma law firm will be able to
assist you. You may be qualified to receive significant financial compensation for your losses and we will
fight to get you all the money you’re owed. We invite you to fill out our free case consultation form and learn about
your legal options today.
For more information
on mesothelioma lawsuits and your legal
options, top doctors, treatment options, and more, fill out our form
for your free Mesothelioma and Asbestos Guide.
Source http://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/mesothelioma-cancer/symptoms/
Source http://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/mesothelioma-cancer/symptoms/
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