Mesothelioma Symptoms
If you are wondering "do I have mesothelioma?" you should seek the guidance of your physician as early detection is a powerful asset during treatment. Malignant mesothelioma may not become apparent until 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos, but can be very aggressive once it takes hold. Because the symptoms of mesothelioma are not unique to the disease a mesothelioma diagnosis can be difficult to determine.
Mesothelioma: Symptoms and Symptom Management Journal Articles
- 11.11.08 - Role of viral induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in pleural effusion and malignant mesothelioma
- Cell Biology International. 2009 Feb;33(2):180-6. Epub 2008 Nov 1. [Link] Wörnle M, Sauter M, Kastenmüller K, Ribeiro A, Roeder M, Mussack T, Ladurner R, Sitter T. Medical Policlinic, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. markus.woernle@med.uni-muenchen.de Abstract Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in formation of pleural effusions and in tumorigenesis and progression of malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelial [...]
- 11.08.08 - Transudates in Malignancy: Still a Role for Pleural Fluid
- Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. 2008 Sep;37(9):760-3. [Link] Gonlugur TE, Gonlugur U. Canakkale State Hospital, Department of Chest Diseases, Canakkale, Turkey. tefeoglu@gmail.com Abstract Introduction: The aims of this study were to determine the distribution of transudates and exudates among pathologically proven malignant pleural effusions, and to demonstrate the necessity for cytologic studies in patients with a transudative effusion. [...]
- 11.05.08 - Polyneuropathy in a patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma: a paraneoplastic syndrome
- Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 2008 Nov;3(11):1359-60. [Link] Bech C, Sørensen JB. Department of Oncology, Finsen Centre, National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. cecilia.bech@rh.regionh.dk Abstract Paraneoplastic syndromes have only been reported in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in a few cases. In this case, we describe a 57-year-old man with MPM who developed sensory-motor polyneuropathy 18 days after diagnosis. Thorough endocrinological, [...]
- 10.31.08 - Semi-rigid thoracoscopy for undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions: a comparative study
- Chinese Medical Journal. 2008 Aug 5;121(15):1384-9. [Link] Wang Z, Tong ZH, Li HJ, Zhao TT, Li XY, Xu LL, Luo J, Jin ML, Li RS, Wang C. Department of Respiratory Diseases, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Abstract Background: Thoracoscopy is highly sensitive and accurate for detecting pleural effusions. However, [...]
- 10.22.08 - A case of solid pseudopapillary tumour of the pancreas and malignant mesothelioma
- Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer. 2007;38(2-4):71-3. Epub 2008 Oct 18. [Link] Hu JC, Brookings W, Aldridge MC. Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Howlands, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 4HQ, UK. Abstract Introduction: A 59-year-old man with previous exposure to asbestos presented with dyspnoea and pleuritic chest pain, had a pleural effusion and was treated for pneumonia. His [...]
Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the lining of the lung, known as the pleura) may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- shortness of breath (dyspnea) - hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and/or coughing up of blood.
- pleural effusion - a build up of too much fluid between the pleura (linings of the lungs and chest); a pleural effusion may cause chest pain and difficulty breathing (dyspnea), however, many cause no symptoms and are first discovered during the physical examination or seen on a chest x-ray.
- pain in the chest - may sometimes be felt in upper abdomen, shoulder, or arm.
| Symptom | % exhibiting |
|---|---|
| Shortness of breath and/or chest pain | 90% |
| Weight loss | 29% |
| Cough, weakness, fever, loss of appetite | 3% |
| Hemoptysis (coughing up blood), hoarseness, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), Horner's syndrome | less than 1% |
| Pleural Effusions | 84% |
| Asymptomatic | 3% |
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the abdominal lining which is known as the peritoneum) may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- weight loss - but waist may increase in size.
- 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; this forces the heart and other organs to work harder to get oxygen where it's needed.
- fever
These symptoms can accompany many other, less serious medical conditions; if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, and have been exposed to asbestos, you should see a doctor immediately. Asbestos exposure may have taken place 20, 30, even 50 years prior to symptoms appearing, but is a major risk factor; exposure is reported in between 70-80% of all mesothelioma cases.
Very often, asbestos exposure was second hand through a family member. Clothes dirtied with asbestos dust have carried fibers into homes, affecting spouses and children. Workers handling asbestos are now required to change their clothing before leaving work. If you see your physician because you are experiencing any of the mesothelioma symptoms listed above, please make sure to make them aware for any prior exposure, either first- or second-hand.
Mesothilioma: Did you mean Mesothelioma (asbestos-related cancer)?
Other common misspellings: misothelioma, mesothileoma, mesotholoma, msothelioma, misothilioma. A little on the etymology of "mesothilioma".
