Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is directly related to asbestos exposure. The symptoms usually do not manifest for 20 – 50 years after initial exposure. Unfortunately, by the time the symptoms appear, it is usually too late to reverse the affects or slow the development of the disease.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Like any disease, the symptoms of mesothelioma vary from case to case depending on the over all health of the individual and the severity of the disease. One of the problems with recognizing mesothelioma symptoms is they can resemble other common illnesses such as the flu, pneumonia or bronchitis.
Most Common Symptoms of Mesothelioma
There are three types of mesothelioma: pleural, peritoneal and pericardial . The symptoms vary with each type of mesothelioma. However, research shows that most individuals with the disease first notice difficulty breathing and fatigue.
Below is a list of symptoms that are shared among most individuals diagnosed with the disease:
Pleural Mesothelioma
Shortness of breath and uncontrollable coughing are usually caused by tumors on the lungs that develop as a result of pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs) — the most common form of the disease.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the term for the type of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen, also know as the peritoneum. Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for about 15-20 percent of mesothelioma cases. While all forms of the disease share some of the same symptoms, the following are some symptoms unique to peritoneal mesothelioma:
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial is the least common form of mesothelioma, only accounting for 10 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Pericardial mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the lining of the heart. Following are some symptoms unique to this rare form of mesothelioma:
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and have a history of asbestos exposure, you should consult a physician as soon as possible.