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What is the Mesothelioma Symptoms
Mesothelioma
is difficult to diagnose because the early signs and symptoms of
the disease can be subtle or mistaken. Symptoms are all too frequently
ignored or dismissed by people who are inclined to attribute them to
common every day ailments. Sometimes patients live with symptoms for up
to 6 months before being diagnosed but usually the symptoms are present
for two to three months prior to a mesothelioma diagnosis.
About 60% of
patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma experience lower back pain
or side chest pain, and there are frequent reports of shortness of
breath. Lower numbers of people may experience difficulty swallowing, or
have a persistent cough, fever, weight loss or fatigue. Additional
symptoms that some patients experience are muscle weakness, loss of
sensory capability, coughing up blood, facial and arm swelling, and
hoarseness.
Peritoneal
mesothelioma originates in the abdomen and as a result, symptoms often
include abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. Fluid buildup
may occur in the abdomen as well as a result of the cancer.
Asbestos exposure
is considered the primary risk factor for the development of the cancer.
Anyone previously exposed to asbestos displaying any of these symptoms
should seek medical attention from their doctor first, only to be
referred to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of mesothelioma
and thoracic oncology after receiving a positive diagnosis.
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How long does it take for mesothelioma symptoms to appear?
One of the most
unique facts about mesothelioma is that the disease is characterized by a
long latency period that is very often associated with the disease. The
latency period is the amount of time that elapses from the first point
of asbestos exposure to the point where symptoms begin to appear so that
a diagnosis can be made. In some mesothelioma cases the latency
period is reported to be 10 years but the average latency for the
majority of cases is between 35 and 40 years. As a result, the cancer
often progresses to later stages before a diagnosis is made. When
diagnosed in the later stages, mesothelioma treatment options become
more limited and are less effective.
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Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Provided below is a list of symptoms that mesothelioma patients may experience. Please click on a symptom to learn
more about it
Dysphagia
Pleural
mesothelioma patients often develop difficulty swallowing (esophageal
dysphagia) as the mesothelium continues to grow on the lungs.
Fluid Effusion
An effusion can
occur in mesothelioma patients when there is fluid buildup affecting
either the pleura or pericardium. This may need to be drained in a
relatively limited surgical procedure
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