Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, largely due to the fact that it remains latent in the body for up to five decades and is usually not diagnosed until its late stages.

A medical exam is the first step in diagnosing an asbestos-related illness.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain, and persistent cough. However, some patients may not show any symptoms at all. A frequent sign is pleural effusion (water in the lungs).

Some symptons of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling, and bowel obstruction. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, some other common symptoms may include trouble swallowing, swelling of the neck or face, blood clotting problems, anemia, and fever.

Also, diagnosis may be difficult due to the non-specific nature of most mesothelioma symptoms, which often resemble symptoms of less serious diseases.

The process of diagnosis usually begins with a compilation of the patient's full medical and work history, including any exposure to asbestos. A medical examination is performed and if a problem is suspected, one or more diagnostic tests are ordered. These typically include medical imaging tests such as x-rays, CT, and MRI scans, as well as biopsy procedures that test samples of fluid and tissue for the presence of cancer cells. Diagnostic tests are also used to determine how far the cancer has advanced, and whether it has spread to other locations in the body.

Mesothelioma Treatment

There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma patients including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Mesothelioma treatments can be divided into two main categories: curative treatments and palliative treatments. Curative treatments are those carried out in an attempt to remove all cancer cells and cure the disease. Palliative treatments are designed to ease pain and make a patient more comfortable.

Treatments for mesothelioma include conventional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, as well as experimental procedures, including immunotherapy and gene therapy.

Generally, a patient with mesothelioma will receive more than one type of conventional treatment. For example, they may undergo surgery to remove the bulk of cancerous tissue, and then receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.

Experimental treatments are typically available only to patients who agree to enter clinical trials. In these cases, patients must fit certain criteria to be eligible.

Legal Issues

The dangers of asbestos exposure were known long before any efforts were made to protect workers. Thousands of American workers were exposed to asbestos during the twentieth century, with no indication as to the risks that they were facing.

Companies that produced asbestos-containing products or used these products on a daily basis are liable for their negligence in failing to protect their workers. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease as a result of asbestos exposure, it's important to know you can talk to an attorney about seeking compensation for pain and suffering as well as reimbursement for medical expenses and lost income. For more information, please fill out the form on the right to receive a comprehensive packet.

Mesothelioma Cancer & Fire Fighters

Because so many buildings contain asbestos, firefighters hold a higher risk than the average person of being exposed to asbestos. Many of the buildings and structures that firefighters enter contain asbestos-containing materials or products that can release microscopic asbestos fibers into the surrounding air. Even materials found in wall insulation, ceiling & floor tiles, or pipe coverings can eventually become frayed or damaged, causing these fibers to be released. Once these asbestos fibers are released they can easily lodge themselves within a number of the body's organs including the lungs, stomach, and testicles.

Once a firefighter has inhaled asbestos he or she is at risk for developing mesothelioma cancer. A firefighter may go 20-25 years without developing mesothelioma symptoms and then suddenly become very ill without notice. Depending on the type of mesothelioma cancer the firefighter develops the symptoms can be different, however most of them include persistent dry or raspy cough, coughing up blood, difficulty swallowing, and shortness of breath. If a firefighter thinks they may have been exposed to asbestos or is experiencing these symptoms.it is very important for them to see their physician and have them perform a regular CT Scan or X-ray to make sure they haven't inhaled any asbestos fibers.

Sources:

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