Mesothelioma Symptoms

The early symptoms of mesothelioma can be quite general and non-specific, and could lead to a delay in proper diagnosis. Sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, pleural mesothelioma patients may present with shortness of breath, chest pain and/or persistent cough. Some patients show no symptoms at all. A chest x-ray may show a build-up of fluid or pleural effusion. Interestingly, the right lung is affected 60% of the time, with involvement of both lungs being seen in approximately 5% of patients at the time of initial diagnosis. Less common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include fever, night sweats and weight loss. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include pain or swelling in the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid, nausea, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia or swelling of the feet.

It is important to understand that these mesothelioma symptoms may in fact be caused by mesothelioma, by another asbestos related disease or cancer, or by a far less threatening disease. Under no circumstances should such symptoms be assumed to be meaningless or harmless. Only a suitably trained and experienced physician can be relied upon to properly diagnose and treat this most serious of asbestos causes diseases. Though it is a disease that is generally unresponsive to therapy, and with a very poor long term prognosis, there are always advancements in the treatment of mesothelioma if the mesothelioma symptoms are properly addressed.