Symptoms of Mesothelioma – Asbestos symptoms
Early symptoms of mesothelioma are non-specific in nature. Years may pass with no symptoms at all. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to respiratory distress, a lasting cough, pneumonia, low energy levels and night-time sweating.
The “generalness” of asbestos cancer symptoms may lead to a delay in diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after asbestos exposure - when least expected. Those affected often do not receive the proper mesothelioma diagnosis until the cancer is far advanced. Shortness of breath, pain in the chest, shoulder blades or lower back and weight loss, may also be indicative symptoms of mesothelioma. mesothelioma.
Asbestos cancer symptoms may also appear in the form of a bowel obstruction, blood clotting, lung or bowel abnormalities, anemia, fever or trouble swallowing.
Some patients complain of pain in the shoulder blade or lower back. These symptoms most often occur 2-3 months prior to a confirmed diagnosis.
Pleural mesothelioma is normally indicated by shortness of breath, chest pain and persistent cough. As mesothelioma progresses, pleural effusion (fluid build up between the two pleural layers) occurs in 95% of patients.
Patients normally visit their GP to diagnose this symptom. The doctor will us a chest X-ray to confirm the effusion. A thickening of the pleura may also be noted at this time.
If the GP finds symptoms of mesothelioma and suspects cancer is a possibility, referral may be made to a hospital consultant who specializes in lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is normally indicated by a change in normal bowel movements such as frequent diarrhoea or constipation, abdominal pain and swelling, nausea or vomiting, bowel obstruction and weight loss.
Diagnostic tests will show abdominal swelling due to thickening of the lining membranes of the gut, and accumulation of large amounts of fluid in the abdomen and normally also lumps of tissue in the abdominal.
Self diagnosis of asbestos cancer is not advised, as specialist diagnostic tests are required for diagnosis malignant mesothelioma. The symptoms above are not unique to mesothelioma, and may be symptoms of other health dispositions. Evaluation by a qualified physician is always suggested.
Tests that may show mesothelioma include the following:
• Chest x-ray
• CT scan of the chest
• Open lung biopsy
Further complicating mesothelioma treatment is the malignant nature of the cancer, for at the stage when symptoms of mesothelioma appear, current therapeutic treatments are usually no longer effective.
Asbestos cancer mesothelioma post-diagnosis survival rates typically range from 6 months to 2 years. It is important to see a doctor about any of these dispositions that may be the symptoms of mesothelioma. When your GP refer you to a specialist mesothelioma doctor or oncologist, he should provide you with the following information:
• Date and time of your appointment.
• The name of the mesothelioma center or clinic.
• The Contact person or specialist’s name.
• The mesothelioma testing procedures that you can expect.
• Time frames e.g. test result waiting period, treatment periods.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has developed the following, effective June, 2005. The guidelines implemented by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in 2005 may not apply to every individual.
It is important that you discuss the details of your individual mesothelioma case with your close family, supporting friends and your personal health care team. You have to be at peace with the proactive role that you and your mesothelioma support group are going to play in your treatment and care.
The general referral guidelines for suspected cancer requires an assessment of urgency by your GP. His asbestos cancer assessment will be based on the following criteria:
• Immediate referral: The patient needs to be seen within a few hours.
• Urgent referral: The patient will be seen within two weeks.
• Non-urgent: All other referrals.
After completing your urgency assessment, your GP will send all relevant information about your mesothelioma case to your mesothelioma doctor or your specialist for evaluation.
The prognosis associated with the diagnosis malignant mesothelioma is very poor. Any individual who experience symptoms of mesothelioma, or suspect asbestos cancer (associated with asbestos exposure in previous jobs with asbestos risk ) should urgently seek medical advice.
As in all cancers, when the first symptoms of mesothelioma appear, early diagnosis and treatment offer the best hope for a favorable outcome in a patient with malignant asbestos mesothelioma lung cancer.
However, taking advantage of your legal rights can create the necessary funds to finance aggressive treatment, pay off huge medical bills incurred during diagnosis, and provide financial security for your family for years to come.
For more information about the diagnosis malignant mesothelioma and to browse asbestos pictures, visit http://www.mesothelioma-Junction.Com View our picture study of asbestos at a popular seaside holiday town titled, "A Silent Killer Stalking Your Favorite Beach Destination?" at our Asbestos Pictures Page.
