|
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
What are the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma?
Early symptoms of mesotheliomas are not specific to the disease.
People often ignore them or mistake them for common, minor ailments.
Most people with mesothelioma have symptoms for only 2 to 3 months
before they are diagnosed. About one-fourth have symptoms for at
least six months prior to their diagnosis.
Over half of patients with pleural mesothelioma have pain in the
lower back or at the side of the chest. Many report shortness of
breath. A smaller percentage have trouble swallowing, cough, fever,
sweating, fatigue, and weight loss. Other symptoms include hoarseness,
coughing up blood, swelling of the face and arms, muscle weakness,
and sensory loss.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal (belly) pain,
weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. There may also be a hernia, fluid
in the abdominal cavity or a mass in the abdomen.
Additional symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel
obstruction, blood clots, anemia and fever. If the cancer has metastasized,
or spread to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain,
swallowing difficulties or swelling of the neck or face.
A person with any of these symptoms who has been exposed to asbestos
should see a doctor right away.
|
|
