Mesothelioma symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms 

In its early stages, mesothelioma does not have many symptoms. When symptoms do develop, they are often caused by the cancer growing and pressing on a nerve or other body organ.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are pain in the lower back or the side of the chest, a persistent cough, shortness of breath, a hoarse or husky voice, losing more than 10% of your weight when not dieting, difficulty swallowing, sweating and high temperatures.
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are pain in the abdomen (tummy), swelling in the abdomen, feeling or being sick, poor appetite, losing more than 10% of your weight when not dieting, diarrhoea or constipation.

All of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by some other illness, rather than by mesothelioma. But if you have these symptoms, see your doctor. This is particularly important if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past. 

What is mesothelioma?

1. What is mesothelioma? 

 

Image source: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/

Malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, origi-nates in many of the protective linings that cover major organs in the abdomen and chest There are approxi-mately 3,500 people diagnosed each year in the United States. Pleural mesothelioma, the mom common type of mesothelioma grows in the pleural space (the area between the chest wall and lung) and then progresses to the lung itself and other areas in the thoracic (chest) cavity. When it occurs in the abdomen, it is referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma and approximately 300 patients are diagnosed with this yearly in the United States. Other rare sites of occurrence include the peri-cardium (lining of the heart) and tunica vaginalis (lining membrane of the testicles), or scrotal lining.