There are two types of mesothelioma: pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The early warning indicators of pleural mesothelioma may
resemble viral pneumonia. The victim may have a persistent cough and
pain in his or her chest. As the disease progresses,
fluid may accumulate in the
chest cavity (pleural effusion), causing pain,
difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath.
Other signs of pleural mesothelioma may include fever,
stomach pain and swelling, bowel
obstruction, night sweats, loss of weight, anemia
and problems with blood
clotting. If the cancer has metastasized beyond the mesothelium,
the victim may experience difficulty in swallowing
as well as swelling of the neck.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may
include the same signs as pleural mesothelioma, as
well as swelling or stomach
pain due to a build-up of fluid in the abdomen.
As the disease progresses, the cancerous cells harden the lung area and spread. With the passage of time, breathing, sleeping and eating become increasingly difficult, making it harder for the mesothelioma patient to engage in the routine activities and pleasures of life.
A
diagnosis of mesothelioma
is often delayed because the symptoms are generally
non-specific and some patients do not exhibit signs
of the disease. Additionally, the onset of mesothelioma symptoms is usually very slow, and may
not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to
asbestos.
>See History of
Asbestos for more information on the slow
appearance of Mesothelioma.
