Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma depend upon where in the body the cancer is located. Pleural mesothelioma causes various signs and symptoms, which can include: chest pain. Painful coughing. Shortness of breathe.
If the pleural mesothelioma symptoms last for more than two weeks or show up frequently and are otherwise unspecific, then it is likely that you have pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms generally include: unexplained weight loss, abdominal swelling, fever, loss of appetite, lumps, pain in the abdomen or lower back. Diagnosis of the disease is often made through a biopsy of the tissues taken from the affected areas. In cases of peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms, fluid is drained from the abdomen and a chest x-ray is taken. These tests are usually positive in determining the diagnosis.
Another type of peritoneal mesothelioma symptom is heart palpitations, a rapid, pounding heartbeat. Again, these symptoms are generally positive in determining the diagnosis. Abnormal heart rhythms are considered to be a sign of pleural mesothelioma. Other symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include cough, shortness of breath, palpitations, nausea, and chest pain.
Radiation therapy is the standard treatment for most types of mesothelioma. This treatment is used to either kill the cancer or to force the cells back into a pre-malignant state. The method of delivery depends on the type of cell that has been targeted. Conventional radiotherapy uses high energy rays (like x-rays) to damage mesothelioma cells.
Treatment options may vary according to how advanced the cancer is. If the mesothelioma is found at an early stage, it may only require surgical removal of a tumor. If the disease has progressed to point that it affects any of the internal organs, a palliative care plan should be implemented in which a general anesthetic is administered and other methods of pain control are attempted. The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients can also include chemotherapy, although this approach is considered relatively less effective as it does not directly attack the mesothelioma itself.
Abdominal pain is one of the more common symptoms. This is particularly true in the case of non-hodgkins lymphoma. Abdominal pain is often attributed to the presence of an ovarian cyst. Confirming the existence of a hormonally located cyst is the first step in determining whether abdominal pain is directly linked to mesothelioma or if it is another complication of the cancer.
Pericardial Mesothelioma is the least common type of mesothelioma. Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are quite similar to those of pleural mesothelioma. However, pericardial tissue is less dense and is typically lined with a thick layer of blood-clotting fluid. Some doctors use the term “pericardial” to describe both conditions because both parts of the heart are involved. Chest symptoms that may be confused with pleural mesothelioma include persistent chest pain that doesn’t seem to respond to standard treatments, shortness of breath or other abnormality in the functioning of the heart. These feelings can also be accompanied by palpitations, dizziness, nausea and heart palpitations.
In the case of pericardial mesothelioma, doctors use the term “pericardial” to refer to the lining that surrounds the heart, and “pleural” to refer to the lining that surrounds the lungs. Pericardial Mesothelioma symptoms can be mistaken for a number of different illnesses, so it is important to consult a physician if any of the symptoms develop. The sooner a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, the greater the chances for a more successful treatment.
