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| Mesothelioma Stages | Mesothelioma Symptoms | Mesothelioma Treatment |
| Mesothelioma Definitions | Mesothelioma Trials | Mesothelioma and Asbestos |
| Mesothelioma Advice | Mesothelioma Treatment | Mesothelioma Questions |
What are the early signs & symptoms of mesothelioma?Because the chest cavity and abdominal cavity are the primary sites of origin for this form of cancer, most patients who are later diagnosed with mesothelima have the following signs and symptoms:
However, other early signs and symptoms of malignant mesothelioma can include the following: nausea, difficulty swallowing, and fever. In particular, patients with pleural mesothelioma will typically experience symptoms of shortness of breath and chest or back pain while patients with peritoneal mesothelioma will experience symptoms of abdominal pain or swelling. Statistically, up to 90% of mesothelioma patients, however, will present with dyspnea (shortness of breath) and chest discomfort. The symptoms encountered in mesothelioma cases present themselves for several reasons. In the case of Pleural (chest) mesothelioma, a lung's membrane will thicken, interfering with its ability to expand and contract. Pleural effusions, which are fluid buildups, are also typically present. Both developments make breathing laborous and difficult for patients. In instances of Peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma, similar effects are seen, i.e. a thickening of the membrane lining the gut, and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. Of course, because the early symptoms of mesothelioma, or asbestos cancer, resemble the symptoms seen in a great many other conditions and disorders, this may contribute to misdiagnosising this form of cancer. Complicating matters, further, is the fact that mesothelioma tumors resemble other forms of tumor growth, such as pleural adenocarcinoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The unfortunate result is that, even for highly trained pathologists, mesothelioma can elude detection and proper diagnosis. For this reason, it may be very prudent for anyone with a history of asbestos exposure to seek qualified medical treatment immediately after experiencing the symptoms mentioned above. Because malignant mesothelioma is a highly aggresive form of cancer, these early symptoms should be heeded by anyone whose work history may have brought them in contact with asbestos. To recap, here are the early signs and symptoms of malignant mesothelioma: The signs and symptoms of pleural mesothelioma
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