Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose primarily because a North Country victim of the disease typically develops symptoms slowly over a long period of time. Many victims report symptoms as long as 10 to 60 years after they were exposed to asbestos. A secondary problem is that mesothelioma is rare and its symptoms are non-specific, which causes doctors to suspect other diseases first. And because it is rare, many doctors are unfamiliar with mesothelioma.

Compounding the diagnostic difficulties is the fact that early detection of mesothelioma is critical for determining the most effective treatment. Though it is difficult, there are many procedures available for the accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma, and early detection gives patients the best opportunity to beat this aggressive cancer.

Mesothelioma’s early symptoms are often similar to those of pneumonia, but they can vary. Below are some symptoms that may be caused by mesothelioma or by other medical problems that are less serious. If you are experiencing any of these, you should see a physician immediately. (The descriptions below are provided as information only; they should not be used to diagnose a medical condition.)

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

• Pleural Effusion. An accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity, known as a “pleural effusion,” is one of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. As the volume of fluid increases, the victim experiences shortness of breath, known as “dyspnea,” and sometimes pain in the chest wall.
• Shortness of Breath. Fluid in the pleural area of the lungs and/or the presence of a tumor in the pleural lining can cause difficulty breathing (dyspnea).
• Chest and Back Pain. Fluid built up in the pleural lining of the lungs may cause a feeling of fullness and pressure, which leads to localized pain in the chest cavity and sometimes in the lower back. Pain is more likely to occur on the right side of the chest, as mesothelioma affects the right lung 60 percent of the time. Only 5 percent of patients develop mesothelioma in both lungs.
• Chronic Hoarseness / Difficulty Swallowing / Coughing Up Blood. Though they are rare (occurring in less than 1 percent of sufferers), chronic hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and/or coughing up blood (hemoptysis) are symptoms of mesothelioma.
• Swelling of the Face and Arms. As the cancer spreads beyond the mesothelium, the mesothelioma sufferer may experience swelling in the face or neck.
• Other reported symptoms include fever, muscle weakness and sensory loss, and nausea.

Here are the symptoms of mesothelioma sufferers and the percentage of patients who report them:

• Shortness of breath or chest pain: 90 percent.
• Pleural effusion: 84 percent.
• Loss of weight: 29 percent.
• Cough, weakness, fever, loss of appetite: 3 percent.
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis), hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia): less than 1 percent.
• Asymptomatic (not exhibiting symptoms): 3 percent.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

• Abdominal Pain or Swelling.  A buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) in victims of peritoneal mesothelioma usually results in pain and swelling.
• Bowel Obstruction. When tumors form in the peritoneum membranes, the pressure they and the buildup of fluid can exert on abdominal organs may lead to bowel obstruction and distention.
• Weight Loss / Anemia. A mesothelioma patient suffering abdominal pain, bowel obstruction and the discomfort of pressure exerted by the presence of a tumor can experience a loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, anemia, and other “wasting symptoms.”
• Other Symptoms. A change in frequency in urination, night sweats, fever, and loss of muscle tissue may also follow the development of tumors in the peritoneal tissues of the abdomen.

Contact Our North Country Mesothelioma Attorneys

If you or a loved one in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence County, New York, has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the North Country asbestos injury legal team of Belluck & Fox, LLP, can help. We investigate mesothelioma cases from the North Country and all of New York. We provide personalized and professional legal representation to mesothelioma sufferers and their families, and we can help you understand and consider the legal options available to you.

Use our online contact form or call Belluck & Fox, LLP’s mesothelioma attorneys toll-free in the North Country at 877-MESOTHELIOMA (637-6843) for expert assistance today.