Symptoms Of Mesothelioma

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Symptoms of Mesothelioma

A person suffering from mesothelioma will experience slightly different symptoms depending on which type of the disease they are inflicted with.

Specific symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma:

• Shortness of breath *

• A persistent cough

• Pleural effusion

• Pain in the lower back*

• Pain in the side of chest *

• Raspy voice

• Difficulty swallowing*

• Fever

• Night sweats*

• Weight loss*

Specific symptoms of Peritoneal mesothelioma:

• Weight loss*

• Abdominal pain*

• Buildup of fluid in the abdomen, thus causing swelling*

• Bowel obstruction*

• Abnormal blood clotting*

• Anemia

• Nausea*

• Vomiting

• Fever

• Swelling of the feet*

Specific symptoms of Pericardial mesothelioma:

• Excessive coughing

• Shortness of breath*

• Chest pain*

• Nausea*

• Weight loss*

• Vomiting

• Loss of appetite*

• Palpitations*

Symptoms of mesothelioma are generally nonspecific and sometimes can resemble other less serious conditions. Only a doctor can make a definite diagnosis of the disease. Though the slow onset of its development may be deceiving, mesothelioma is a swift killer once symptoms have fully manifested themselves. If you or someone you know thinks they may be suffering from mesothelioma, it is important to contact a physician or a mesothelioma cancer center as soon as possible.

http://www.mesotheliomatreatmentcenters.or...n/symptoms.html

The Importance of Early Diagnosis for Mesothelioma Patients

The importance of early diagnosis for mesothelioma patients cannot be overemphasized. If you have a history of asbestos exposure—whether from a workplace, your home, or at a public building such as a school—it's in your best interest to consult a knowledgeable physician even if you have no symptoms of mesothelioma or other asbestos-caused disease. Early diagnosis is especially important because by the time symptoms of mesothelioma appear, usually 20 – 50 years after the initial exposure, the disease is already in an advanced phase. An early diagnosis is necessary for the best prognosis.

Early Diagnosis May Increase Life Expectancy

The importance of early diagnosis for mesothelioma patients is also reinforced by the short life-expectancy of individuals with this disease. If the mesothelioma is at an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis, the average life expectancy is roughly one to two years. If an individual's mesothelioma is "caught" at an early stage, treatment can be initiated that much sooner, and it may be easier to hold off the advance of the cancer.

More Effective, Tolerable Treatment

Mesothelioma may be described as "localized" or "advanced.” The mesothelioma is localized when the cancer cells are found only at the body site where the cancer originated. If the cancer cells have spread beyond that original location, the mesothelioma is considered advanced.

Treating a limited area of cancer is easier than trying to treat cancer that has spread (metastasized) to several sites or throughout the body, and thus an early diagnosis for a mesothelioma patient can enable more effective and more tolerable treatment.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma may include the following:

• Chest pain *

• Shortness of breath *

• A chronic cough

• Weight loss *

• Fever

• Abdominal swelling*

• Abdominal pain *

• Blood clotting abnormalities *

• Bowel obstructions*

• Lowered red blood cell count

• Irregular heartbeat*

If you're experiencing some of these symptoms (especially chest pain) and you have a history of asbestos exposure, it doesn't mean that you definitely have mesothelioma. However, it's best to seek medical testing for an early diagnosis, no matter what the problem is.

Learn More about the Importance of Early Diagnosis for Mesothelioma Patients

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be at risk for developing mesothelioma or another asbestos-caused disease, you can contact us for more information .

Stages of Mesothelioma

Medical professionals currently use three different mesothelioma-staging systems to diagnose and treat pleural mesothelioma. Each system measures different variables including the extent of the cancer, lymph node involvement, metastasis, and more.

1. Butchart System is the oldest and most commonly used mesothelioma staging system and is primarily based on the extent of the tumor mass. Butchart System divides mesothelioma into four stages:

• Stage I – Mesothelioma is seen in the right or left side of the chest area, or pleura cavity, and may also be found in the diaphragm.

• Stage II – Mesothelioma has invaded the chest lining and reaches the esophagus, heart, or pleura on both sides. Lymph nodes may also be affected.

• Stage III – Mesothelioma has passed the diaphragm and entered the abdominal cavity or peritoneum. Lymph nodes beyond the chest may also be affected.

• Stage IV – Mesothelioma has spread through the bloodstream to other organs

2. TNM System is a more recent system used to stage mesothelioma by considering variables such as the tumor size and spread, lymph node involvement, and metastasis. In the TNM system, the disease is divided into four stages:

• Stage I – Mesothelioma is in the right or left chest cavity and may have spread to the pericardium, diaphragm, or lung on the same side. Lymph nodes are not affected.

• Stage II – Mesothelioma has spread from one side of the chest to a lymph node near the lung on the same side. The disease may have also spread to the lung, diaphragm, or pericardium on the same side.

• Stage III – Mesothelioma has entered the chest wall, muscle, heart, esophagus, ribs, and vital organs in the pleural cavity on the same side. Lymph nodes may or may not be affected on the side of the tumor.

• Stage IV – Mesothelioma has spread to the lymph nodes in the chest area on the other side of the tumor, or has spread to the pleural cavity or lung on the other side, or has reached organs in the abdominal area or neck. Any metastasis is involved in the fourth stage.

3. Brigham System is the latest mesothelioma staging system and is based on tumor resectability (ability to surgically remove) and lymph node status. The Brigham system is divided into five stages:

• Stage I – Mesothelioma is resectable and lymph nodes are not involved

• Stage II – Mesothelioma is resectable, but lymph nodes are involved

• Stage III – Mesothelioma is unresectable and has spread to the chest wall, diaphragm, heart, or abdominal area. Lymph nodes may or may not be involved.

• Stage IV – Distant metastatic mesothelioma