Mesothelioma – Symptoms & Diagnosis

The onset of mesothelioma symptoms is usually very slow, and may not appear until 10 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.  The following symptoms are frequently reported by those with mesothelioma, but they are also associated with other medical conditions. This information is provided for your information only, and should NOT take the place of a full medical diagnosis. If you are experiencing any of the below symptoms, immediately consult your doctor or another health care professional. For more information about your legal options, visit the law firm website of Belluck & Fox, LLP. You can also find vital information about the disease at our dedicated mesothelioma website.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma of the Lungs

• Pleural effusions – an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity.  As the volume of fluid increases, pain and shortness of breath – also called “dyspnea” – may occur.
• Chest or back pain – may be caused by a build-up of fluid in the pleural lining of the lungs and result in areas of localized pain.  Chest pain occurs more often on the right side of the body, as mesothelioma affects the right lung 60 percent of the time. Only 5 percent of patients have mesothelioma in both lungs.
• Swelling of the face and arms – can indicate a spreading of the cancer beyond the lungs.
• Other reported symptoms – may include chronic hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), coughing up blood (hemoptysis), fever, muscle weakness, sensory loss, and nausea.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma of the Abdomen

• Pain or swelling of the abdomen – may be caused by a build-up of  fluid in the abdomen (ascites).
• Bowel obstruction – may indicate a tumor in the abdominal membranes which exerts pressure on the organs in the abdomen.
• Weight loss or anemia – may occur as the result of abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, and the pressure exerted by the presence of a tumor.
• Other reported symptoms – may include frequency in urination, night sweats, fever, and loss of muscle tissue.

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the above symptoms, consult your doctor right away.  It is important that mesothelioma be detected as early as possible.  Unfortunately, a proper diagnosis of mesothelioma can be difficult to obtain. Here’s why:

• Many doctors are not familiar with the disease because it is quite rare in the general population (although it is widespread among people, especially workers in certain industries, who have been exposed to asbestos).
• The general symptoms of the most common type of mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath, which may be improperly recognized as indicators of other medical problems.
• Early detection is impeded by the 10 to 50-year latency period between the time of asbestos exposure and the time mesothelioma symptoms begin to appear.  Nevertheless, there are several medical procedures available to aid in the accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Evaluations

The initial evaluation you have with your doctor plays a critical role in obtaining an accurate diagnosis.  The evaluation involves questions that are designed to help determine the timeframe and setting in which you may have been exposed to asbestos.  Honest and extensive communication with your doctor is important for early detection.

In addition to compiling a detailed medical history, your doctor will perform a complete physical examination, which may include:

• Listening to your chest cavity for dull or muted sounds while breathing or talking.
• Tapping on your chest cavity for solid sounds.
• Checking for enlarged lymph nodes.

Regrettably, rarely is a patient’s mesothelioma revealed through an initial evaluation. However, if a patient’s symptoms, medical history, risk factors, and physical examination combine to indicate the possibility of mesothelioma, medical tests are available to determine if the disease is actually present. The results of procedures such as imaging tests, pathology tests, and pulmonary function tests can be compared to form a diagnosis.

Imaging Tests

This includes technologies that allow doctors to image, or see, internal organs and tissues that might show the presence of fluid or tumors.

• Chest X-Rays – can show an unusual thickening of the membrane that covers the lungs (the pleura), a lowering of the spaces between the lobes of the lungs, fluid in the lungs, and irregular masses.
• CT (computed-tomography) scan – can show distinct aspects of the lungs and pleura through more sophisticated images than conventional X-rays.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – can show highly detailed images of the body’s soft tissues as well as the extent of mesothelioma, if present.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) – can pinpoint the regions of active disease, identify extremely small cancerous cells, indicate benign or malignant cells, and help determine whether treatment therapies are working.

Pathology Tests

This includes technologies that allow doctors to remove fluid or tissue and get a definitive diagnosis from a medical specialist called a "pathologist"

• Thoracoscopy – uses a telescope-like instrument connected to a video camera to take tissue or fluid samples from the chest.
• Laparoscopy – uses a flexible tube attached to a video camera to take tissue or fluid samples from the abdomen.
• Bronchoscopy – uses a flexible lighted tube to take tissue from the lungs.
• Mediastinoscopy – uses a flexible lighted tube to take tissue from the lymph nodes, which are groups of immune system cells that help the body fight infection. By examining the lymph nodes, the doctor can determine if the cancer has spread.

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)

Although mesothelioma can often be difficult to initially detect, the above medical procedures and diagnostic tests can lead to a clear diagnosis.  Click here to learn more about available treatment options.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or are worried that you might have mesothelioma, you may be eligible for compensation.  Of course, medical treatment is your primary concern.  However, knowing your legal rights can help protect you and your family.  Click here to learn more about your legal options.

The New York Mesothelioma Lawyers of Belluck & Fox
Belluck & Fox	Mesothelioma Help	NY Mesothelioma Lawyers	Victims of Mesothelioma