Mesothelioma Symptoms and Signs

Mesothelioma tumors begin as tiny nodules on the lining of the lungs or abdomen. The cancer doesnt cause symptoms until the tumors have grown and spread. This is usually around cancer stage 3 and 4, when tumors begin to press against the chest wall or abdominal cavity.

Recognizing symptoms of malignant mesothelioma early in the cancers development is nearly impossible because the disease doesnt produce early symptoms to identify.

Most early mesothelioma diagnoses happen by accident through routine X-rays or blood tests. By the time someone identifies warning signs, the cancer often has spread, making it difficult for doctors to treat.

Informing your primary care doctor about any history of asbestos exposure and seeking cancer screenings can help lead to an earlier-than-normal mesothelioma diagnosis and a much better chance of qualifying for life-extending therapy.

In the early stages of mesothelioma, you may notice:

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The exact stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis how far it has progressed is impossible to predict through symptoms alone. Most patients are not diagnosed until stage 3 or 4 because symptoms dont develop until later stages. The earlier the cancer is caught, the better the prognosis.

Addressing symptoms as soon as they develop can improve medical outcomes. When symptoms are identified and treated quickly, patients often benefit from higher quality of life and may live longer if the symptoms and cancer are controlled sooner.

Doctors can provide chemotherapy drugs that shrink peritoneal mesothelioma tumors and slow the growth and spread of cancer. It can be given before, during or after surgery. In some cases, doctors offer chemotherapy as the only treatment option. Chemotherapy drugs considered effective in treatment include pemetrexed, cisplatin, carboplatin and gemcitabine.

Doctors are now seeing extraordinary results with HIPEC. Once an experimental treatment, HIPEC starts with surgery to remove all visible tumors from the patients peritoneum. Next, doctors introduce a heated salt-water solution that contains chemotherapy drugs.

A machine pumps the medicine throughout the patients abdomen. This helps destroy any cancer cells left behind after surgery. Nearly half of peritoneal mesothelioma cancer patients who receive HIPEC can live at least five years after diagnosis.

This form of asbestos-related cancer develops in the lining around the heart. It is one of the rarest types of the disease. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and chest pains. They stem from thickening of the pericardium, the lining around the heart.

A lump in the testes is the most common sign of testicular mesothelioma the rarest of all types. It accounts for less than 1 percent of all mesothelioma cases.

Our patient advocates can answer your questions on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure.

Symptoms of mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers first emerge in small, subtle ways. This happens after the cancer has spread, which is around stage 3 or stage 4. Some are so minor that people and their doctors mistake them as symptoms of some other disorder or shrug them off entirely.

Mesothelioma starts to develop around 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. This latency period is not related to the delayed onset of mesothelioma symptoms, but these concepts get easily confused because both involve an unexpected delay.

Symptoms usually dont make a noticeable impact on someones life until the cancer has reached a late stage. Most people who get mesothelioma of any type are diagnosed in stage 3 or stage 4. These are considered late or end stages.

I had gotten to the point where I couldnt walk without being out of breath. It scared the heck out of me. But having my lung drained was immediate relief. I felt so much better.

Although the decades-long latency period is similar with each type of the cancer, some studies suggest it is shorter for people with peritoneal mesothelioma. A 2011 study found women have a slightly longer latency period than men.

Nonspecialists often mistake pleural mesothelioma for less serious conditions. These include pneumonia, bronchial infection and COPD. People with peritoneal mesothelioma may initially be diagnosed with ovarian cancer or irritable bowel syndrome. Pericardial mesothelioma is so rare that doctors can easily confuse it with heart failure, coronary heart disease and other common heart illnesses.

I feel lucky, but I dont feel like a miracle. Ill reserve miracles for bigger and better things than me. Im just a grateful guy today who thinks every day I wake up is a gift.

A mesothelioma misdiagnosis can delay proper treatment. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should inform their primary care physician of their exposure. Also ask about annual cancer screenings. If you develop any abdominal or pulmonary issues in your lifetime, make sure to mention your asbestos exposure history to the medical professionals who provide your care.

The primary factor that affects the onset of mesothelioma symptoms is tumor growth and spreading.

Mesothelioma symptoms are caused by tumors that press against nerves, organs, bones and other parts of the body.

Small tumor size is the main reason why mesothelioma patients dont experience symptoms in the early stages of the cancers growth. Mesothelioma tumors typically dont become big enough to press against body parts until stage 3 or stage 4.

Our Patient Advocates can help you avoid a mesothelioma misdiagnosis by connecting you with a top doctor in your area.

Symptoms such as nerve pain that shoots down an arm may indicate cancer invasion has occurred locally in the chest. Mesothelioma tends to spread locally throughout the chest or abdominal cavity more often than spreading to distant locations throughout the body.

If you have a history of asbestos exposure and believe you have symptoms of mesothelioma, seek immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor about your exposure and alert them to the possibility of an asbestos-related disease. You will likely need to get a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist.

Mesothelioma symptoms result from the cancer itself and may overlap with side effects caused by cancer treatment. Side effects of cancer treatment usually fade away after the treatment ends. Mesothelioma symptoms tend to progress along with the cancer. Symptom management is critical to quality of life.

Talk to your oncologist about working with a palliative care specialist. These doctors specialize in managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Many cancer centers now offer palliative care to patients undergoing treatment, even those participating in clinical trials.

Rebuilding and getting back to normal isnt a race for the swift. Its for those who can endure the highs and lows. There are small victories and setbacks. But eventually, the battle is won.

Registered Nurse and Patient Advocate

Karen Selby joined Asbestos.com in 2009. She is a registered nurse with a background in oncology and thoracic surgery and was the regional director of a tissue bank before becoming a Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center. Karen has assisted surgeons with thoracic surgeries such as lung resections, lung transplants, pneumonectomies, pleurectomies and wedge resections. She is also a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators.

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Last Modified March 15, 2019

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Mesothelioma Symptoms: Asbestos Cancer Warning Signs