A diagnosis of Mesothelioma can be overwhelming, but knowing the right strategies and relying on the best resources can make dealing with cancer easier on the patient and his or her family. Although medical advice should first be sought, legal advice, too, can be a benefit to Mesothelioma victims and their families. If you have suffered adverse health consequences as a result of asbestos exposure, seek legal counsel at once.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed by conducting assessments to find abnormalities in tissue. A medical professional will review a patient’s medical history, followed by a complete physical examination, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen. A biopsy by an oncologist must be completed to confirm a lung cancer diagnosis.
While only a doctor can definitely diagnose mesothelioma. The following provides a brief summary of some variations and symptoms of mesothelioma:
Pleural mesothelioma: Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma and includes the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Persistent cough
- Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Horner’s Syndrome
Pleural effusion is a common symptom of pleural mesothelioma. Pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid within the chest cavity which interferes with the normal functioning of the lung, causing shortness of breath.
Peritoneal mesothelioma: Peritoneal Mesothelioma affects the abdomen. There are 100 to 500 cases diagnosed annually. The symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain or swelling in the abdomen
- Bowel constrictions
- Diarrhea
- Coughing up blood
- Anemia
- Pleural effusions
- Blood clotting
- Chest pain
- Swelling in face and neck
- Weight loss
Pericardial Mesothelioma: Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma. It affects the lining of the heart and is often diagnosed too late to treat effectively. The symptoms include the following:
- Persistent coughing
- Palpitations
- Coughing up blood
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Chest pain
Stages of Mesothelioma
While there are several ways to categorize the stages of mesothelioma, the following serves as one chart utilized by medical professionals to categorize the severity of the mesothelioma tumor as an aid in prescribing the appropriate treatments:
- Stage I: The lymph nodes are not affected
- Stage II: The tumor can be removed, but the mesothelioma started to affect the surrounding lymph nodes
- Stage III: During this stage, the tumor cannot be removed. It extends from the chest wall, heart, through the diaphragm into the peritoneum.
- Stage IV: During this stage the disease has spread to the vital organs such as the liver, brain or bloodstream.