Some: Difficulty Breathing, Chest Pain Wheezing Voice
Malignant mesothelioma has a few primary symptoms. The primary symptom of pleural mesothelioma is a lack of breath as a consequence of pleural effusion ” the increase of fluid in the membrane, or pleura, around the lung. The next most common symptomis chest pain because the tumor is attacking the chest wall. Additional symptoms include night sweats, weight loss and exhaustion.
The primary symptomof patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, which is centralized in the abdomen, is fluid buildup (known as ascites) in the abdomen causing abdominal swelling, pain in the abdomen, and blockage of the bowel.
Its vital to know that many of these symptoms may be caused by other conditions. But if you have experienced any of these symptoms and have had asbestos exposure, you should see your doctor.
Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer is hard to identify, because less serious conditions also cause similar symptoms. Typical symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Lower back or chest pains from a buildup of fluid in the pleura
- Fever
- Upset stomach
- Breathy voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Coughing up blood
Self-diagnosis should never be attempted. Sufferers of the above symptoms should not panic, and should consult their doctor. A biopsy is the primary way the condition is confirmed. A pathologist takes a small tissue sample from the suspected area and examines it to return a highly accurate diagnosis. Biopsies are typically pain-free.
A CT scan (Computer Tomography is an option if you dont want a biopsy. This is an X-ray procedure where a scanner is moved around the body to snap cross-sectional pictures. Sometimes, the patient ingests a dye that helps define the picture. CT scans might be advantageous because of their simplistic and non-invasive nature, and they are known to be an effective diagnostic tool. Opinions vary whether a CT scan or biopsy is cheaper. If there are abnormalities, a biopsy may also be needed to know if the abnormality is a tumor, and if so, whether it is malignant or benign. It is also possible to diagnose pleural mesothelioma by looking for cancer cells in a sample of fluid from the pleura.
Any of these methods may also be used to screen for mesothelioma. Patients who may think they are at risk but do not display any symptoms are typically screened, to make sure they are not in danger or to catch the cancer as early as possible. Patients should be screened for mesothelioma if they have a history of asbestos exposure.
