MESOTHELIOMA SYMPTOMS

Mesothelioma Symptoms

In early stages of the disease, mesothelioma may not have any visible symptoms and is very hard to detect. Mesothelioma often starts as many tiny lumps (nodules) in the pleura, which may not show up on scans or x-rays until they are quite large. The main symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are pain in the chest and breathlessness. Some people also notice that their voice becomes hoarse and they have a cough that does not go away. In later stages of development, certain symptoms begin to develop and are usually caused by the growth of cancer and its pressure on certain nerves.

The symptoms of the two main types of mesothelioma (Pleural and Peritoneal) are described below:

Pleural Mesothelioma:

• Lower back of chest pain
• Continual Cough
• Breath shortness
• Husky voice
• Losing over 10% of your body weight while not dieting
• Fever or sweating
• Trouble swallowing

Peritoneal Mesothelioma:

• Abdominal pain (stomach)
• Abdomen swelling
• Feeling sick
• Loss of appetite
• Losing over 10% of your body weight while not dieting
• Constipation and diarrhea

The above symptoms may be caused by other illnesses not related to mesothelioma, however, if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past or if the symptoms persist, it is very important that you consult with your physician or health care provider immediately.