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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a rare form of malignant cancer that affects nearly 3,000 people in the United States each year. It is known to be caused by direct or indirect exposure to asbestos, which occurs when its fibers are inhaled or ingested into the lungs and respiratory system. This type of cancer most commonly develops in the protective lining that covers the lungs, chest wall, abdomen, and heart.

If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms associated with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to legal compensation to help pay your medical expenses. Contact a mesothelioma lawyer in your local area today!

Some of the more common signs and symptoms associated with malignant mesothelioma may include any of the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Collapse of lung
• Coughing up blood - (hemoptysis)
• Difficulty swallowing - (dysphagia)
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Hoarseness
• Impaired bowel function
• Persistent coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the face and arms
• Unexplained weight loss

Depending on the type of mesothelioma these symptoms may vary from person to person. In most cases, mesothelioma symptoms do not become noticeable to an individual until many years after asbestos exposure has occurred, which makes it difficult for doctors to diagnosis in its early stages. Because early signs associated with mesothelioma often appear as common, less serious conditions, many people unfortunately tend to ignore or mistake the signs until the cancer has widely spread by the time a diagnosis has been properly made.

• Epithelioid
• Sarcomatoid
• Biphasic

Nearly 2,500 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer each year in the United States. Typically, the early signs of mesothelioma may not become noticeable until several decades after exposure to asbestos. As a result, misdiagnosis and delayed treatment is unfortunately quite common. In many cases, once a person finally gets a proper diagnosis by a doctor, the cancer has already developed into its later stages, and is more difficult to treat. This ultimately results in malignant mesothelioma patients enduring a shorter life expectancy after being diagnosed.

When undergoing diagnosis for mesothelioma it’s important for the patient carefully discuss their medical and occupational history to a doctor to help establish a possible connection to asbestos exposure. In most cases, occupational exposure to asbestos is one of the main contributing factors that lead to mesothelioma. As part of the diagnosis process, specific tests are required for the examination, which may include:

• X-rays of the chest or abdomen
• Lung function or breathing tests
• A complete blood count (CBC)
• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Biopsies of affected tissues

If you or someone you love suffers from an asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a mesothelioma lawyer in your local area today!

Did you know?
Mesothelioma symptoms typically takes several years after exposure to asbestos. The gap between the first time being exposed and the signs of symptoms is called, the latency period.