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What are the symptoms of
mesothelioma?
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until
20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath,
cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in
the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and
cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup
of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal
mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting
abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread
beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may
include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or
face. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other,
less serious conditions.
Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and
symptoms:
chest wall pain
pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
shortness of breath
fatigue or anemia
wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up
In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The
individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung.
The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the
body.
Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause
symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
abdominal pain
ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
a mass in the abdomen
problems with bowel function
weight loss
In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms
may be present:
blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing
severe bleeding in many body organs
jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or
adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one
side of the lungs.
Others Information:
- What is the mesothelium?
- How common is mesothelioma?
-
What
are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
- What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
- How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
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