If you or your loved ones have a history of asbestos exposure, you might be wondering, what are the symptoms of mesothelioma? People who have been exposed to asbestos really need to watch for the symptoms because asbestos cancer is very dangerous. Up to this time, there is no effective method to screen the cancer and the only way to prevent it from attacking your body is by avoiding the exposure from the very first place. Mesothelioma has a very low prognosis and most patients don’t survive. However, if the cancer is diagnosed at the early stage, your chance of surviving will be higher. To help you fight the cancer, here are some first signs of mesothelioma.
To recognize the symptoms of asbestos cancer, first of all, we need to know that there are actually 4 types of asbestos cancer. Each will has different symptoms because the cancer attacks different type of organ linings. Here are the 4 types of mesothelioma.
1. Pleural
So, what are the symptoms of mesothelioma that attacks pleural area? One of the most common symptoms is breathing difficulties and short breathing interval. The first time those symptoms appear, you might not suspect that it is a dangerous cancer because many respiratory diseases have the same symptoms. As time goes by, the symptoms will develop to severe coughing, chest pain and even blood clotting.
2. Peritoneal
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops on the lining of abdominal cavity. The signs of this type of asbestos cancer involve some digestive and appetite problems. Stomach pain, hernia and bowel obstruction is also possible in more severe cases.
3. Pericardial
This asbestos cancer develops on the lining of the heart (pericardium). The symptoms are breathing difficulties, harsh breathing and coughing as well as severe chest pain. Since the symptoms are very similar with pleural mesothelioma, further tests are needed to properly diagnose this type.
4. Testicular
This is the rarest type of mesothelioma, most dangerous and also the hardest to diagnose. Lumps on the testes will be the evidence of this disease. However, most people find the lump only after it starts to be painful. And when it gets painful, it is a sign that the cancer is getting more severe.
If you find those symptoms and you have a history of asbestos exposure, don’t wait for anything and go check yourself immediately. Explain your condition to your doctor so he will be able to make fast and correct diagnosis and prepare Mesothelioma treatment options if the symptoms turn out to be cancer. The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is by doing X-Ray imaging. However, biopsy needs to be done to find out what cancer it is. Now that you know what are the symptoms of mesothelioma and how it can be diagnosed, make sure you always watch for the signs.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
To recognize the symptoms of asbestos cancer, first of all, we need to know that there are actually 4 types of asbestos cancer. Each will has different symptoms because the cancer attacks different type of organ linings. Here are the 4 types of mesothelioma.
1. Pleural
So, what are the symptoms of mesothelioma that attacks pleural area? One of the most common symptoms is breathing difficulties and short breathing interval. The first time those symptoms appear, you might not suspect that it is a dangerous cancer because many respiratory diseases have the same symptoms. As time goes by, the symptoms will develop to severe coughing, chest pain and even blood clotting.
2. Peritoneal
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops on the lining of abdominal cavity. The signs of this type of asbestos cancer involve some digestive and appetite problems. Stomach pain, hernia and bowel obstruction is also possible in more severe cases.
3. Pericardial
This asbestos cancer develops on the lining of the heart (pericardium). The symptoms are breathing difficulties, harsh breathing and coughing as well as severe chest pain. Since the symptoms are very similar with pleural mesothelioma, further tests are needed to properly diagnose this type.
4. Testicular
This is the rarest type of mesothelioma, most dangerous and also the hardest to diagnose. Lumps on the testes will be the evidence of this disease. However, most people find the lump only after it starts to be painful. And when it gets painful, it is a sign that the cancer is getting more severe.
How It Is Diagnosed
If you find those symptoms and you have a history of asbestos exposure, don’t wait for anything and go check yourself immediately. Explain your condition to your doctor so he will be able to make fast and correct diagnosis and prepare Mesothelioma treatment options if the symptoms turn out to be cancer. The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is by doing X-Ray imaging. However, biopsy needs to be done to find out what cancer it is. Now that you know what are the symptoms of mesothelioma and how it can be diagnosed, make sure you always watch for the signs.