What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
All types of mesothelioma have certain symptoms, such as fatigue and fever. Other symptoms, like abdominal swelling and chest pain, can vary based on the type.
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed with X-rays or CT scans as well as a biopsy (removing tissue for testing). These tests can help doctors locate the source of cancerous cells.
Chest Pain
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissue that runs along the chest and abdomen and the space around the heart. The malignant mesothelioma of the pleural region usually begins in the layer that surrounds every lung (the pleura). It may also begin in the peritoneum, the abdomen's lining. In the beginning the rare cancer can be difficult to diagnose because it has no symptoms.
Patients with mesothelioma are often experiencing pain or difficulty breathing near the site of the tumor. A doctor can diagnose this condition by performing an examination and logging the patient's medical documents, including any prior asbestos exposure.
A chest X-ray or CT scan can be requested by the doctor to check for fluid between the lung and chest walls. Pleural mesothelioma is usually caused by pleural effusion, which may make breathing difficult. The doctor may decide to drain the fluid to ease the issue.
The mesothelioma pain can cause fatigue and impact an individual's appetite. This is because constant pain can make it difficult to sleep and can lead to loss of weight. Back pain is a problem for mesothelioma patients. This can become worse over time, and interfere with daily life. This pain can be relieved by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, like aspirin or Ibuprofen or prescription narcotics. Mesothelioma pain can also spread to the legs and arms. The reason for this is that the tumor presses on nearby organs like the diaphragm and the liver liner.
Breathing Shortness
If you've been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, you might experience shortness of breath. Mesothelioma can affect the diaphragm, lung, and heart tissue and cause pain and limit the lungs' ability to expand correctly. This can lead to the inability to breathe deeply or even breathe at all. If you notice your breathing is getting difficult or labored without any reason, schedule an appointment with your physician.
Mesothelioma can also create a buildup of fluid in and around the lungs called pleural effusions. When these pleural effusions get large, they may limit the lungs' ability to expand. These fluids aren't always an indication of mesothelioma and they can occur in a variety of other conditions, like pneumonia. However, if they're coupled with coughing, chest pains or fever, it is crucial to consult your physician to rule out mesothelioma as the underlying cause.
Patients with mesothelioma must keep a journal of their symptoms and share it with their doctor at every appointment to pinpoint patterns. They should discuss how to manage their symptoms, such as using decongestants, avoiding intense activities, and sleeping in a position which facilitates breathing. Yoga and meditation are typically effective ways to reduce stress for mesothelioma patients. In addition, doctors may recommend pain management specialists to help ease discomfort during treatment. They can also prescribe medication to help ease symptoms.
Loss of Appetite
A mesothelioma patient might experience loss of appetite or difficulty eating. These problems could be caused by chemotherapy, which weakens the immune system. This makes patients more prone to infection. They could also be due to other side effects of cancer, such as a dry cough or problems swallowing.
Ascites, or the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen due to obstruction of the bowel, could be caused by mesothelioma cancers. Ascites is a condition that manifests in patients with malignant mesothelioma, either pleural or peritoneal. This symptom can be difficult to diagnose because it resembles other common ailments, like an stomach virus or pneumonia.
If the symptoms worsen patients should see their physician to determine if mesothelioma could be the reason. If the symptoms are caused by a tumor, doctors can perform biopsy to remove a sample of tissue. The biopsy is an extremely minimally invasive and fast procedure that is able to accurately identify mesothelioma. A biopsy can be performed by a doctor through surgery or by inserting a needle into the affected region. The tissue is analyzed for mesothelioma. The cancer is classified into three types epithelial cells and sarcomatoid cells, and biphasic cells, which is a mixture of the two. Epithelioid cell types are the most prevalent and have a better chance of survival than sarcomatoid cells.
Abdominal Pain
Many people with mesothelioma of the pleural region experience stomach discomfort. The most common form affects the linings in the lungs, chest cavity and abdominal cavity. It may also affect the membranes that surround the heart, or the membranes lining the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma pain typically occurs in the belly area, between the lower chest and groin. It can be felt spread over the entire abdomen or concentrated in a small area of the belly.
Ascites or a buildup of the abdomen of fluid, can cause abdominal pain. The fluid can cause a squeezing of the what is mesothelioma asbestos cancer internal organs including the stomach, which can cause pain and a feeling of fullness. It can also trigger nausea and vomiting.
The mesothelioma pain can be severe or mild. Mild pain can be managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen or ibuprofen. More intense pain may require prescription narcotics like hydrocodone, codeine or methadone.
Anyone suffering from mesothelioma must consult a physician for any symptoms that require medical attention. The early detection of mesothelioma may improve treatment and outcomes. Mesothelioma patients should also consult their physicians about alternative methods like meditation or exercise that can alleviate the pain caused by mesothelioma in addition to traditional medicine.
Abdominal Discomfort
Mesothelioma affects the lining of organs of your body, like your chest and abdomen. Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissue that covers your lungs called the pleura. Pleural effusions, which are also known as pleural fluid buildups, are associated with abdominal discomfort and other symptoms of mesothelioma pleural. In some later stages, the tumor may also expand to other organs in your abdomen. This is known as metastasis.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer and many doctors have little experience dealing with it. It is important that you seek out a doctor with extensive knowledge about mesothelioma if you have this cancer.
It can be a challenge for doctors to recognize abdominal pain that is caused by mesothelioma. It can be difficult to differentiate between pain that is caused by other conditions, like appendicitis or gallstones.
If your doctor is unsure of the reason for your abdominal pain, they may recommend tests such as the CT scan with contrast or an MRI. They will be able to identify any irregularities in your lining or surrounding tissues. They can inject you with a dye that is safe to use, and can help any abnormality show up more clearly on an imaging.
Swelling
In pleural mesothelioma, tumors in the lining of the chest wall can cause swelling in the chest or abdomen. This can cause trouble breathing or a cough. As the disease advances to stage 2 or more, cancer cells can spread to the diaphragm or the heart's lining or the peritoneum. This can lead to abdominal pain, bloating, and weight loss.
The symptoms of mesothelioma could be confused with symptoms of other conditions. This leads to misdiagnosis, and delays in treatment. Furthermore, mesothelioma suffers from a long time to show symptoms which means that symptoms can manifest from 15 to 60 years after exposure to asbestos.
Patients who undergo a chest Xray or CT scan might be able to detect signs of mesothelioma such as a thickening of the pleura as well as calcium deposits. The pleura, the lining that surrounds the lung is the place where mesothelioma can develop. This causes a fluid buildup between the chest wall, lungs, and other organs. Doctors refer to this as an effusion of the pleural cavity.
The buildup of this fluid causes patients to be unable to breathe as the lungs aren't able to expand. There are methods to eliminate the fluid that require minimally invasive surgery. This can allow patients to breathe more easily and reduce the intensity of their symptoms. In addition to surgery, some patients can experience relief from complementary treatments such as yoga and meditation. They may also take medications to alleviate nausea and pain.