Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma

There is no cure for cancer. Modern medicine and chemotherapy can save some people from certain cancers. However, side effects are often severe and expensive. What are the early symptoms of mesothelioma. Learn more about the Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma below.

In the article Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma, you will also learn about what is mesothelioma, symptoms of mesothelioma in men or in women, malignant mesothelioma, mesothelioma cancer, and mesothelioma symptoms onset. More details are only in the article Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma.

It is important to know the Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma, so that you can be more careful in finding at least the symptoms that arise due to Mesothelioma.

 

Definition of Mesothelioma

What is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma refers to cancer of the mesothelium. This protective membrane lines many internal organs and protects them from damage. The affected part of the body is what distinguishes this type of cancer. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of mesothelioma, is the most prevalent. This is a condition that affects the lining of your lungs (pleural cavity).

Another type is mesothelioma of the abdominal layer, also known as peritoneum. It is located around the heart and testicles. Mesothelioma can cause death and is a dangerous form of cancer. These cancer cells can cause tissue damage. Cancer cells can also spread to other areas of the body.

This cancer is usually diagnosed once the stage has advanced. The 5-year life expectancy for the patient is 5-10%. The majority of patients died due to respiratory failure. A few other patients died from heart complications.

 

Causes and Risk Factors of Mesothelioma

The most common cause is asbestos exposure. Smoking has been linked to mesothelioma. People who have been exposed to asbestos or worked with it are most likely to be mesothelioma patients.

While smoking habits don’t have a direct causal link with mesothelioma (the disease), it is one of the major factors that increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. Radiation exposure, zeolites, and simian virus 40 (SV40) are all secondary factors that can lead to mesothelioma.

There has not been an effective treatment available for mesothelioma symptoms or conditions. This condition has a poor prognosis as mesothelioma symptoms can last for decades, sometimes up to 20-50 years.

The exact cause of mesothelioma is not known with certainty. However, the main risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos or asbestos. This disease was relatively rare before the commercial use of asbestos began. Asbestos is a mineral that is used as a material to make brakes, floors, roofs, and insulation. Several other risk factors are men, age > 65 years, and the environment exposed to asbestos.

 

Types of Mesothelioma based on symptoms and location on the body

As previously discussed, mesothelioma occurs in the mesothelium layer which can occur anywhere the mesothelial layer is located. There are 4 locations that generally occur mesothelioma, namely:

 

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma develops in the walls of the lungs (known as pleura) and is the most common form of mesothelioma disease. Pleural mesothelioma is quite difficult to diagnose. In the early stages of the disease, mesothelioma symptoms tend to be mild, whereas in later stages (stage 3 or stage 4) symptoms can worsen significantly. Unfortunately, due to late detection, mesothelioma usually has a poor prognosis.

 

Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen)

Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the lining of the stomach and often spreads to the abdominal organs, including the liver, spleen, and intestines. Severe abdominal pain is the most common symptom, followed by discomfort caused by fluid buildup (ascites).

Although the prognosis for peritoneal mesothelioma is not good, in recent years the hope of cure has increased slightly. This is largely due to newer treatments such as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), although results vary from patient to patient.

 

Pericardial Mesothelioma (Heart)

Rare is pericardial mesothelioma. This form of cancer arises from the lining of the heart cavity (pericardium). It accounts for less than 1% of all cases of mesothelioma. As this rare cancer develops, the heart cannot work properly so its function in sending oxygen throughout the body is reduced and causes various other perfusion problems.

The most common symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma resemble those of a heart attack, including chest pain and shortness of breath. Many times, pericardial cancer is not diagnosed until an autopsy has been performed.

 

Testicular Mesothelioma

Testicular mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that has been identified in less than 100 people worldwide, is very rare. This type of mesothelioma attacks the protective lining of the testes. Because there are so few incidents of this type of mesothelioma, little is known about its development, and there is no standard treatment available yet.

 

Mesothelioma Symptoms

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma include:

• Cough and pain
• Night sweats are the worst
• It is hard to breathe
• Weight loss
• The fingertips may swell
• Chest pain
• A lump at the lower chest surface
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Lump in the stomach
• Mesothelioma Prevention

Experts are more concerned with how mesothelioma is detected early. Because the treatment of mesothelioma at its early stages is often better than those in advanced stages, there is no cure.

A mesothelioma specialist will usually diagnose the condition by first testing for other diseases. Your medical history will be asked by the doctor to determine if you have had any previous illnesses such as hypertension, tuberculosis, or other conditions.