Mesothelioma - A Listing of Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers or asbestos dust. This cancer involves malignant cells that develop in the mesothelium, which is a protective lining that covers the internal organs of the body.

The most common site for mesothelioma is the pleura. The pleura is the outer lining of the chest cavity and lungs. Another common site is the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity.

It can take up 50 years for mesothelioma to show symptoms after the initial exposure. These symptoms could be coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fluid in the pleural space.

In this article, we'll examine the symptoms of the these two most common sites of mesothelioma. That is, the pleura and the peritoneum.

When mesothelioma affects the pleura, the following symptoms may be present:
fatigue 
cough 
shortness of breath 
blood in the sputum 
chest pain 
fluid surrounding the lung

When mesothelioma affects the peritoneum or abdominal cavity, the symptoms can be the following:
  mass in the abdomen 
weight loss 
bowel function problems 
abnormal fluid in the abdomen 
abdominal pain

The most severe cases of mesothelioma have been known to show the following symptoms:
severe bleeding in the body organs 
jaundice 
blood clotting in the veins 
drop in blood sugar levels 
pleural effusion 
blood clots in the arteries of the lungs 
severe ascites

The best action to take when experiencing any symptoms is to see a physician. It is only through a complete diagnostic check-up that you will be able to be informed of whether you have mesothelioma.


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