Early symptoms of mesothelioma are very minor and can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other less serious diseases such as pneumonia. For example, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (Pleural mesothelioma occurs when the pleural sac surrounding the lungs, abdomen and ribs becomes malignant or cancerous due to asbestos exposure) such as chest pain, shortness of breath or cough can be mistaken as symptoms of pneumonia. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma (Peritoneal Mesothelioma is when the abdominal lining of the abdomen becomes cancerous or malignant and could develop into a full mesothelioma tumor) include nausea, weight loss or swelling of the abdomen. Symptoms of both peritoneal & pleural mesothelioma can lead to the development of pleural effusions.
Pleural effusions is the accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity. It often leads to shortness of breath (which is why shortness of breath is 90% above on the table) and is the most common symptom of mesothelioma. The more fluid that builds up in the lungs, the more painful it will be for the patient. Chest tube drainage (Pleurodesis) removes fluids that have built up in the lungs. To prevent fluid building up in the lungs again, the pleural space is closed. This is accomplished by using a talc slurry that produces an adhesion.
Advanced Symptoms of Mesothelioma
By the time a patient is fully diagnosed with mesothelioma, the cancer has well developed into advanced stages. Thus, advanced symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Abnormal blood clotting
- Long periods of fatigue
- Excessive night sweats
- Long periods of fatigue
- Excessive night sweats
Diagnosis of advanced staged mesothelioma is made through X-ray or CT scans. 5% of all pleural mesothelioma patients have it in both the lungs at the time of initial diagnosis. By the time a diagnosis is made, pleural mesothelioma has metastasized and moved to other areas of the body.
What to do if You Think You have Mesothelioma?
Diagnosis of mesothelioma is not always perfect and is very complicated. This is because early symptoms of mesothelioma are often symptoms of many other benign diseases, thus diagnosis of mesothelioma in its early stages is very difficult. Infact, many mesothelioma patients have no symptoms at all. The turning point that confirms diagnosis of mesothelioma is the development of pleural effusions where the mesothelium starts to produce surplus cells and mesothelioma has moved into advanced stages.
Since you cannot run to the doctor everytime you have a chest pain or a bad cough, here are some tips on how to balance concerns of health risks and how to lead a good life without being too fearful.
i) Assess your risks and evaluate your past. Did you at any point work in a job where there is a high chance of asbestos exposure? If so, then it makes sense to be more careful about your health and check up with your medical doctor particularly if you have any lung issues or chest pain.
ii) Have quarterly or regular medical checkups with a doctor that knows about asbestos exposure and has dealt with many cases of mesothelioma. '
iii) Get your lungs washed to determine what levels of asbestos exposure you have had.
iv) Keep your lungs healthy by getting daily exercise and not smoking. This is because mesothelioma is most commonly found in the pleural cavity and if your respiratory system is in perfect condition, then you will be ready to undergo the stressful & sometimes painful mesothelioma treatments, if you ever need to go through one.