Mesothelioma Cancer Symptoms Vary By Patient

The symptoms of mesothelioma are very common to a number of other diseases which are more well-known in society. Therefore, it is not unusual for the patient to be misdiagnosed when he or she goes in displaying any or all of these symptoms. People who have worked with asbestos should always let their doctor know so that the doctor is more aware and more conscious of the possibilities in the event that the symptoms do manifest.

Sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, pleural mesothelioma patients may also display shortness of breath, chest pain and/or persistent cough or worse—some patients show no symptoms at all. A chest x-ray may show a build-up of fluid or pleural effusion. The right lung is affected 60 percent of the time, with involvement of both lungs being seen in approximately 5 percent of patients at the time of 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.

The most common early symptoms of asbestos-related diseases are:

• Blood in the sputum (fluid)
• A cough or a change in cough pattern
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Hoarseness 
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in the chest or abdomen
• Weight loss

Have you been exposed to asbestos?
Do you exhibit these symptoms?
Should you be talking to an expert asbestos cancer lawyer?