Sunday, November 7, 2010

Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma


Symptoms or signs of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion) are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.
Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:
  • Chest wall pain
  • Pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue or anemia
  • Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
  • Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.
Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
  • Abdominal pain
  • Ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
  • A mass in the abdomen
  • Problems with bowel function
  • Weight loss
In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:
  • Blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
  • Jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
  • Low blood sugar level
  • Pleural effusion
  • Pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
  • Severe ascites
A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

54 comments:

  1. Definitely not pleasant-sounding!

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  2. Great info. I'm saving it just in case I ever need it.

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  3. The shed at my parents' house was made of asbestos, hope I won't develop this.

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  4. I've had a cough for several days now. Should I see an attorney?

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  5. Oh god I think I have all these symptoms!!!111 D:

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  6. REally informative post ! Thanks for sharing us!

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  7. Ugh crap. Those symptoms seem miserable. I would make my life quick if there was nothing to do but sit in misery and pain.

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  8. @Sucio: you should see a doctor first. depending on the situation, then go ahead and see an attorney.

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  9. Time to wait 50 years and see if any of this happens, we had a shitty Elementary School

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  10. Very informational, thanks a lot!

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  11. Thanks for the information, it is always good to know more about stuff like this, could save you or someone your close to someday.

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  12. id hate to have that
    unlucky for anyone that has

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  13. Ohmy...yeah I spent so much time in old buildings in my childhood. I don't even want to think about it!

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  14. hmm that doesnt sound nice at all :(

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  15. whoa good info. Great blog, you got a new follower!

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  16. thank you for the information you provided

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  17. A blog only about mesothelioma is probably best idea ever!

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  18. great post i've learned something!

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  19. such a good read!
    awesome blog :)

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  20. Wow, I had no clue it could do that much damage.

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  21. Great post, great blog! Following! ^^

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  22. hmm that many symptoms? didnt know that..

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  23. I'm such a hypochondriac. I think I have the cancers.

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  24. just reading about the disease made my lungs start to hurt :|

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