What Are the First Signs of Mesothelioma?
The initial signs of mesothelioma may differ widely among patients. They may include abdominal or chest discomfort, breathing difficulties dry cough, as well as clubbed fingertips.
The diagnosis can be difficult as these symptoms can be a sign of other conditions. However, early detection of mesothelioma improves treatment options and can help patients live longer.
1. Loss of Appetite
The tissue that protects your stomach and lungs and stomach, as well the heart, is referred to as mesothelium. This tissue is cancerous. It is most often found in the pleura, which is the membrane which surrounds your lungs. It may also occur in the peritoneum - the membrane that line the abdominal cavity. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the linings of the abdomen and chest, while peritoneal cancer develops within the abdominal organs and tissues such as the liver, bowel and the ovaries. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma worked in positions where they inhaled fibers or dust from asbestos. It takes between 20 and 30 years before symptoms start to appear.
The first signs of mesothelioma typically include breathing problems and loss of appetite. Because these signs are similar to those of other diseases and conditions they are often difficult to identify. For instance the pleural mesothelioma symptoms of fluid buildup and tightening of the lungs' membrane (pleurisis) could easily be mistaken for bronchitis or pneumonia.
A doctor will request an X-ray of the chest, CT scan or ultrasound to determine the cause of your problems. If they suspect that mesothelioma is the cause, they will request a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of cancerous tissue or liquid from the tumor to examine under a magnifying glass.
The biopsy will also reveal whether you have epithelioid cell or sarcomatoid cell. The type of mesothelioma that you have will determine the treatment plan that your doctor suggests for you. Epithelioid is more tolerant to treatments than the sarcomatoid. If you suffer from sarcomatoid mesothelioma, the prognosis is poorer and treatments are less effective. Fatigue is a common symptom of mesothelioma. Your doctor can offer suggestions to reduce fatigue. These include taking a more restful sleep and eating well.
2. Chest Pain
Chest pain is a common symptom. It comes from the chest's lining. The pain can be worsened when a patient coughs or inhale. The pain also may be felt between the shoulder blades or beneath the breast bone. The pain is likely to last and get worse over time.
Mesothelioma symptoms may vary depending on the stage of cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lungs, chest wall lining and lining of the chest. The initial symptoms are mild and are similar to other diseases. As the cancer progresses it is more difficult to detect symptoms.
In the later stages of pleural cancer, tumors can cause fluid accumulation around the lungs. This fluid, called pleural effusion can restrict the lung's capacity to expand. Patients describe this as dry cough. They may also experience difficulty swallowing or coughing up yellowish-green phlegm.
Pleural mesothelioma symptoms can be alleviated by a procedure known as drainage of the pleural fluid. This involves draining the pleural fluid with an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration. This is a quick outpatient procedure which can be done in a hospital or your home. It helps relieve breathing problems and pain.
The doctor will use needles to remove a small amount of tissue from the affected area in order to look for mesothelioma-related signs. Patients are able to rest or receive assistance from family and friends. The doctor may also conduct an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to identify any evidence of asbestos exposure within the lung lining or diaphragm. The doctor will then perform a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis.
3. Breathing issues
Breathing difficulties are a typical mesothelioma symptom, particularly in patients with mesothelioma pleural. This is due to the fact that the pleura tissues in the chest region thickens and blocks lung expansion, which makes breathing difficult. Additionally, patients suffering from mesothelioma of the pleura may experience pleural effusion, which is the buildup of fluid in the space around the lung. This fluid can also cause breath shortness because it stops the lung's ability to expand.
It is important to talk to your doctor when you experience breathlessness. This is especially true if the symptoms are severe or persistent. If they are having trouble breathing throughout the day or even when exercising it could be an indication of a more serious health condition.
Doctors can drain excess fluid from patients with the what is mesothelioma cancer caused from pleural effusion in order to reduce their symptoms. They may also prescribe physiotherapy for the lung to improve lung function and stop the accumulation of fluid in the future.
Patients suffering from breathing issues due to mesothelioma must consult their doctor as soon as they can. This is important, especially in the event that the patient exhibits other symptoms like cough or chest pain.
A mesothelioma diagnosis is established by a medical history, physical exams or imaging tests, as well as blood tests. These tests are usually performed by a pulmonologist or general physician who is specialized in lungs. Doctors can conduct a chest CT and a positron emission tomography (PET scan) to find out how far cancer has spread within the body. They can then use this information to determine the most effective treatment plan for each individual case. A mesothelioma doctor may request an examination to confirm the diagnosis and to see what type of mesothelioma a patient is suffering from.
4. Fever
The immune system in the body fights cancerous cells it detects. Sometimes, the resulting inflammation causes patients to experience fever. The possibility of a fever is also a result of certain treatments for mesothelioma such as radiation or chemotherapy.
Mesothelioma affects the surrounding tissue of organs. It is most often found in the abdominal cavity or lungs however it can also develop in the heart or in other places as well. Exposure to asbestos can trigger abnormal cell growth, or even cancer.
Mesothelium is a cellular membrane that covers the stomach, lungs, the heart, and various organs. Cancerous cells can develop within the tissue, leading to mesothelioma that is malignant. The most common mesothelioma type is mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the lining of the lungs (the pleura). The mesothelioma is more often found in the peritoneum, a membrane that protects the organs in the tummy (abdomen).
As the mesothelioma gets bigger it puts pressure on other parts of the body, and cause symptoms. They can include chest pain, shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. If you experience any of these symptoms it is crucial to see a physician particularly if asbestos exposure occurred recently.
The first step a mesothelioma doctor will take is to do an examination of the body and review the patient's medical history and work history. This will help determine the risk of mesothelioma and the stage. Mesothelioma patients who are in the early stages can suffer from vague symptoms that are similar to other conditions, such as emphysema and thymoma. Patients with advanced stages may experience certain mesothelioma signs, such as chest discomfort and fluid buildup around the lungs. They could also experience breathing problems due to tumors that have formed in the lungs.
5. Weight Loss
The mesothelioma cancerous form is found in the thin tissue layer that covers many organs inside the body (mesothelium). This rare and aggressive disease is most often found within the tissues that surround each lung (pleura). It can also start in the tissue around the heart, the testicles, or the abdomen.
The symptoms of mesothelioma differ based on the stage and site where the tumor is growing. Cough and fatigue are common however, other signs such as fever, pain and fluid accumulation, or unexplained weight loss are often difficult to determine because they resemble common illnesses or conditions.
Many patients with mesothelioma have difficulty breathing as the cancer expands and presses against their lung. This fluid is called pleural effusion. It can cause chest tension, chest pain, or a shortness of breath. Fortunately, doctors have many minimally invasive options for draining this fluid to ease the symptoms.
Weight loss is common in mesothelioma patients because their appetite diminishes as the tumor grows. It is important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor as this could cause malnutrition.
Even experienced doctors are prone to mistakenly diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are similar to other diseases or conditions. This can have a negative impact on the treatment options available to patients and the outcome. Patients should consult an mesothelioma expert or bring the Mesothelioma Checklist to their appointment. Our patient advocates can provide more details about mesothelioma's symptoms. Call us or fill in our online form to contact us today.