What Are the Warning Signs of Mesothelioma?

Photo of author

(Newswire.net — April 30, 2019) — Inhaling asbestos fiber can put your life in danger. Experts suggest everyone who works in the mining, construction site insulation or oil refinery to consult a qualified doctor to determine early signs of mesothelioma.

However, it is hard to pinpoint whether or not an individual suffers from mesothelioma. Usually, mesothelioma symptoms often take a decade or more to develop. So when you believe you inhale asbestos fibers, it’s best to seek medical assistance from a physician right away.

But what are the symptoms? Good question! Here are the warning signs of mesothelioma by stage:

In the early stage, an individual may suffer from wheezing, dry cough, shortness of breath, pain in the chest, or pleural effusion. Whether you encounter trouble breathing or experiencing a constant dry cough, seek the help of an expert beforehand.

In the late stage, on the contrary, it is quite hard to survive. Common symptoms can include increased pain, drastic weight loss, severe anemia, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, difficulty swallowing, and serious respiratory complications.

Symptoms by Type

There are four known types of mesothelioma. Each causes different symptoms. When it comes to the treatment and prognosis, they vary too.

  • Pleural Mesothelioma

The most common type is pleural mesothelioma. According to recent studies, approximately 75 percent of reported cases suffer from pleural mesothelioma. Because of that large number, it has undergone extensive studies compared to other kinds. Most doctors encourage patients to undergo radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. These treatments can add years to life expectancy.

Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, pain inside the lower back, trouble swallowing, cough, swelling of the face, and hoarseness.

  • Peritoneal Mesothelioma

While the pleural mesothelioma has 75% cases, the peritoneal is around 10 or 20 percent. Unlike the former, peritoneal mesothelioma only has less research. Despite that, the prognosis for this type is better.

Research shows that around have of patients who have undergone surgery or chemotherapy live longer than five years.

Symptoms can include abdominal pain, constipation, swelling in the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting. If you suffer from any of these warning signs, seek the help of a professional. Early treatment can help individuals survive for a decade or two.

  •  Pericardial Mesothelioma

Among the two types, pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare. There are only 200 reported cases in medical literature. Because of its rarity, there are no proven surgeries and chemotherapies. But the truth is that the available treatments can help patients live for months or even years.

Some signs consist of chest pain, heart murmur, shortness of breath, and irregular heart rhythm.

  •  Testicular Mesothelioma

Last but not least is the testicular mesothelioma. Compared to other types, testicular mesothelioma commonly develops in the tunica vaginalis.

Tunica vaginalis is considered the lining of the testes. While pericardial has 200 reported cases, testicular mesothelioma has less than 100 in medical literature. first-rate treatments involve chemotherapy and surgery.

Possible symptoms can consist of fever, fatigue, excessive sweating, weight loss, blood clots or loss of appetite.

For you to lessen the risks, consult an experienced physician!