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Mesothelioma Symptoms - Pleural and Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As has been mentioned, mesothelioma symptoms present problems when it comes to diagnosing mesothelioma since early and even some latent symptoms are similar to other illnesses and lung cancers. Since it is also hard to pinpoint mesothelioma cancer tissue, identifying the disease and it's symptoms can be deceiving.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

• Chest or back pain
• Swallowing difficulty
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Persistent or chronic cough
• Fever
• Nausea
• Weight loss

It is very common for patients with pleural mesothelioma to report chest pain and shortness of breath. Other signs of mesothelioma may include a bloody cough or change in the patient's cough, pneumonia, headaches, hoarseness, facial swelling, bone pain (especially in the chest), loss of appetite, and a sense of heaviness of fullness in the chest.

A thickening of the mesothelium and pleural plaque formation, along with fluid formation called pleural effusions are causes of breathing difficulty in pleural mesothelioma patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

• Swelling of the abdomen
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Pain in the abdominal area
• Swollen feet
• Impaired bowel function
• Vomiting

Similar to the pleural form of mesothelioma asbestos cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms can sometimes include a thickening of the mesothelium of the abdomen and fluid build-up in the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma tumors can lead to pressure on adjacent organs in the abdomen, which can lead to an obstruction of the bowels. Pain is caused by the tumor spreading into nerve tissue and breathing difficulty can be caused by the tumor spreading into the diaphragm, the muscle group that controls breathing.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Since early and even some of the latent mesothelioma symptoms can be very similar to those of other illnesses it is very difficult to diagnose; even mesothelioma tumors are difficult to differentiate from pleural adenocarcinoma tumors and other tumors.

There is also no standard method to screen for mesothelioma. Doctors typically rely on a group of tests to find out if you are suffering from mesothelioma. Even using multiple tests for mesothelioma, the disease can't always be detected. Some of the tests used for mesothelioma diagnosis include:

Diagnostic radiology

Encompassing x-rays and CT scans, this form of testing is effective in detecting abnormal masses and fluids in the body. Unfortunately, it cannot always provide a physician with enough information to discern between mesothelioma and other cancers.

Exploratory Thoracoscopy

This procedure is a generally more accurate means of detecting pleural mesothelioma. A telescopic device is inserted into the chest wall and maneuvered for a view of suspect pleural tissue.

Other methods of diagnosis also include needle biopsy and open biopsy tissue samples that are then analyzed for mesothelioma cancer by a pathologist.

Some of the conditions that prompt similar symptoms to mesothelioma include illnesses and lung diseases as well as conditions brought about from inactivity, obesity, and smoking. It is because of the difficulty in diagnosing mesothelioma that disclosure of asbestos exposure to your physician is extremely important. This will ensure that the proper testing and treatment for mesothelioma are administered.

If you have developed mesothelioma, there is a good chance asbestos exposure is to blame. If so, you may be entitled to possible significant compensation for damages. To help you fight back against those responsible for your sickness, contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer today.

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