Mesothelioma Cancer Symptoms

What are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma often develops at a slow rate making it difficult for people to know when they have it.  Malignant mesothelioma may not show itself in any noticeable health problems until 20, 30 or even 50 years after the first exposure to asbestos.  The first signs and symptoms of mesothelioma are often shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, cough, nausea, pain in the abdomen, or anemia.  All of these symptoms may also be caused by other less serious illnesses, which makes it difficult to recognize the disease in its early stages.  Though mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, it can appear in either men or women at any age. Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma.  A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in most cases.

Screening of workers to catch the cancer early is still being studied.  However, screening trials are ongoing.  One example is this screening trial in Canada.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, which is mesothelioma of the lining of the lungs and chest, known as the pleura, may include the following:

• Shortness of breath - hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, coughing up blood.
• Pleural effusion - a build up of fluid between the pleura (lining of the lungs and chest) which may cause chest pain and difficulty breathing.
• Pain in the chest - may sometimes be felt in upper abdomen, shoulder, or arm.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, which is mesothelioma of the abdominal lining, known as the peritoneum, may include the following:

• Weight loss - (however, the patient's waist may increase in size even though they are losing weight)
• Pain or swelling in the abdomen - fluid retention or tumor growth.
• Bowel obstruction - blockage in the small or large intestine.
• Anemia - a reduction in the number of red blood cells to below normal.
• Fever

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma, which is mesothelioma of the lining around the heart, known as the pericardium, may include the following:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath - hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, coughing up blood.
• Palpitations

See our signs and symptoms of cancer page gives more informaiton on this topic.

Contact Us Today For a Free Confidential Consultation

The law firm of Paul & Hanley, LLP has offices located throughout California, including Berkeley, Los Angeles, Westlake Village (Los Angeles county), San Francisco, and San Diego.  Our mesothelioma lawyers handle cases in courts throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, and across the United States.  To learn more about the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma, and the California malignant mesothelioma cancer attorneys at Paul & Hanley, please contact us today for a confidential consultation.  For immediate assistance call toll free (800) 281.9804.