What Are Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
People with pleural mesothelioma may suffer from pain and shortness of breath, and fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). Other symptoms include fatigue, fever, weight loss, and loss of appetite.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can affect the abdomen, lungs, and peritoneum. Early mesothelioma signs and symptoms can be similar to those of other ailments.
Pain
Pain is a frequent mesothelioma symptom and can be experienced in a variety of areas of the body. Patients with mesothelioma typically experience back or chest pain related to the mesothelioma type they have, as well as fatigue and nausea. These symptoms are the result of the growth of the tumors and pressing on organs and nerves. The pain can interfere with daily activities and lead to fatigue, however, patients can find relief with treatment options.
When pleural mesothelioma is found in the lung linings cancer cells can develop and create fluid. This can put pressure on the organs around them and make it difficult to breathe. The fluid may also cause swelling or bloating of the abdomen. A mesothelioma specialist can help patients manage their pain.
Early on, pleural cancer pain is usually localized to the side of the chest. As mesothelioma progresses, pain increases as the tumors and fluid continue to grow. This could affect the diaphragm, heart and liver lining, leading to chest pain and breathing difficulties.
As mesothelioma grows the pain can also develop in the muscles and bones. This can result in fatigue and a decrease in appetite. The most effective treatment is an array of medications and palliative treatments.
Patients who are experiencing pain should keep a symptom journal. This could include information about the amount of pain you're experiencing, when it occurs and where it is coming from, and where it goes. This can help doctors determine if you have mesothelioma and decide on the treatment that will be most effective to ease the pain. In mild cases, pain can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen. If the pain becomes severe, doctors may prescribe narcotics, such as hydrocodone, codeine or methadone.
Loss of Appetite
The pain and difficulty swallowing associated with mesothelioma can reduce your appetite. The fluid buildup around the lungs can also compress the digestive tract and make it more difficult to absorb enough nutrients into your system. Whatever the reason for your loss of appetite, you should try to have enough food to meet your body's demands. This will aid in fighting cancer and combat the negative side effects from treatment.
Fatigue is another common symptom of mesothelioma. It can be due to the disease, treatment or a combination. It can be difficult to concentrate or perform daily tasks. If you feel tired constantly Talk to your doctor about getting enough sleep and reducing stress, as well as eating healthy and balanced meals.
Mesothelioma symptoms differ based on the location where the tumor is located in your body and which organs are affected. Pleural mesothelioma for instance is a tumor that affects the linings of your lungs and can cause lung problems such as breath shortness, chest pain, or dry cough. This type of mesothelioma can also cause a pleural effusion, which is the accumulation of fluid between the chest wall and the lungs. These symptoms could be mistaken for flu or bronchitis. They can also be mistaken for pneumonia. The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma which affects the lining of the heart is similar to those of the flu, bronchitis or pneumonia. However they are more severe.
Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. If this happens, you might suffer from other symptoms, such as abdominal pain as well as fever, weight loss and a change what is malignant mesothelioma in your bowel habits. Peritoneal mesothelioma for instance, can cause abdominal pain. Ascites, which is a buildup in the abdomen of excess fluid, may also be caused by this disease.
Breathing shortness
Mesothelioma usually begins in the layers of tissue that surround every lung (the pleura). However, it can also begin in the tissue that covers organs in your tummy (the peritoneum) or in other areas of the body. Mesothelioma can not cause symptoms until it reaches a size enough to cause pressure on the nerve or other body organ.
One of the most common mesothelioma symptoms is shortness of breath. It is usually caused by the accumulation of fluid in and around the lungs, referred to as Pleural effusion. These effusions limit the space into which the lungs expand, causing difficulty breathing and feeling of suffocation. It could also be caused by growth of tumors on the pleura or by surgery or other treatments for mesothelioma.
As the disease progresses, cancer cells may spread or metastasize, causing breathing problems. Mesothelioma may also cause stiffening of tissues, which decreases the flexibility of the diaphragm, lungs and heart. This can also make breathing difficult.
Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience breathing difficulties. Your doctor can help manage your symptoms with pain relief or dietary changes. They can also suggest support groups and other resources to help you cope with the condition. They may also suggest a procedure referred to as thoracentesis. This procedure removes excess fluid from the chest cavity. This can help some patients suffering from pleural effusions and improve their breathing. This procedure can be done as an outpatient. If your doctor doesn't offer this option, you must get a second opinion from an experienced mesothelioma specialist.
Nausea
Nausea is a common side effect from mesothelioma treatment. This is because chemotherapy, which weakens your immune system. Certain sufferers may be more susceptible to this than others, based on how intense their treatment regimen is. This is why it is essential to talk to your doctor if you're experiencing these symptoms.
Fatigue is also a common symptom of mesothelioma. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including an insufficient diet, medications, and mesothelioma itself. In some cases, the mesothelioma may cause back pain. This can be caused by the tumor damaging structures in the spine or chest.
Anyone with mesothelioma needs to be aware of any breathing issues because they could indicate the cancer has spread. Breathing problems or chest pain, as well as a persistent cough are all indicators. In some instances the condition can be caused by mesothelioma. This can lead to breathing problems because it hinders the lungs to expand as they ought to.
Other signs of mesothelioma include lumps in the testicles as well as the spleen. These are indicative of pericardial or testicular mesothelioma. These rare forms of mesothelioma occur when the linings of the lungs and organs are irritated. People with mesothelioma might also experience abdominal pain as well as loss of appetite. Asbestos fibers may stick to the linings of these organs causing them become inflamed, and even develop tumors. It can take decades after exposure before mesothelioma starts to manifest. This is why it is essential to see a physician right away when you have any symptoms of mesothelioma.
Weight Loss
In many cases mesothelioma symptoms and effects make it difficult for patients to eat. This can cause an insufficient diet or weight loss. A dietician might be able to consult with the patient and their family on ways to assist them in eating better while undergoing cancer treatments.
Pleural mesothelioma, for example, can cause fluid to build up between the lung and chest wall. This can reduce appetite. In these cases, doctors can drain the fluid using an ultrasound-guided aspiration or more extensive open surgery. Often the team will use an indwelling drain for the pleural that is drained a few times each week to relieve the accumulation of fluid and chest pain.
A person with peritoneal mesothelioma may experience discomfort and pain in the abdomen. This can cause an inability to eat. These tumors can irritate the stomach and cause a feeling of bloating, fullness or constipation. In certain cases the presence of large tumors may prevent the bowel from functioning correctly, which can lead to an appetite loss and weight loss.
Mesothelioma treatment can change how the body metabolizes carbohydrates, proteins and fats, which could make it harder to maintain an appropriate weight. The doctor can assist by providing nutritional supplements and suggesting diets that include various foods.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma should be aware of all signs including unexplained weight loss. Patients who are experiencing symptoms should consult their doctor immediately, particularly in the event of a history of asbestos exposure. The patient should ask for a mesothelioma diagnosis and a referral to an expert. The patient might also want to join a mesothelioma club or a charity that offers emotional and social support for those who are affected by this illness.