Five Common Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Article by Devin Taylor
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. The time period between the asbestos exposure and the onset of mesothelioma is typically very long. Some people do not develop any mesothelioma symptoms until 40 years or more after the asbestos exposure. This makes it very difficult to diagnose both mesothelioma and asbestosis (another condition caused by asbestos exposure).
Another factor that makes the mesothelioma diagnosis difficult is the variety of mesothelioma types. Mesothelioma develops in the lining of internal organs. Thus, it can affect the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart and testicles as well as spread to the surrounding tissues. Depending on the exact location of the mesothelioma cancer, the symptoms might vary. The following is a list of five common mesothelioma symptoms.
1. Pain in the Chest and/or AbdomenMesothelioma cancer can produce pain in various body parts. The pain becomes stronger as the cancer advances. Pleural mesothelioma (cancer in the lining of the lungs) often causes pain in the chest. In addition, the patient might have difficulty breathing. The shortness of breath might increase as the cancer advances and causes pleural effusion (retention of fluid in the lining of the lungs). Persistent abdominal pain might be a sign of peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer in the lining of the stomach).
2. CoughingMany patients with pleural mesothelioma experience a persistent, dry cough. As the cancer spreads, they might cough up blood. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
3. Unexplained Weight LossWhile most people welcome weight loss as a positive event, large and unexplained weight loss might be a sign of trouble. Such sudden weight loss might be a sign that the body is under extreme pressure produced by cancerous cells and is using internal fatty tissue reserves as a source of energy to fight the disease.
4. Persistent FatigueFatigue is typically a normal bodily response to physical and psychological exhaustion. However, if you feel fatigued all the time for no apparent reason, this might be a sign of cancer. You should see your physician if you feel fatigued even as you wake up after eight or nine hours of sleep.
5. Night Sweats and/or FeverAs mesothelioma spreads, it produces a growing number of cancerous cells, which begin to interfere with basic physiological functions. As a result, internal tissues might begin to swell, and various body cavities might become filled with fluid. The body responds to these occurrences by producing night sweats, which are often accompanied by a low-grade fever. If you experience these symptoms, see your doctor for a thorough medical evaluation.
Asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer are serious illnesses. If you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, your physician will most likely recommend aggressive therapies to slow the spread of mesothelioma cancer and relieve symptoms such as pleural effusion. Sadly, even with the most advanced cancer therapies, the mesothelioma life expectancy remains less than one year. However, new treatments are being developed, offering mesothelioma patients hope of remission and a longer, more satisfying life.
About the Author
To learn more about mesothelioma cancer, contact a physician who specializes in this deadly disease.
Asbestos Cancers-What are the less common types, the risk factors, and recommended steps to tackle diagnosis?
Article by Bello kamorudeen
Over the past few decades, millions of people have been unknowingly exposed to asbestos, which is a fibrous mineral that leads to the development of various types of cancers.Although mesothelioma is the commonest type of cancer associated with asbestos exposure, it can also less commonly lead to the development of other cancers such as lung cancer.
Lung Cancer
This is another dangerous cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. There are two types of lung cancer: a-small cell lung cancer, and b-Non-small cell lung cancer.The Non small cell lung cancer is the commonest type of lung cancer, accounting for about 80% of known cases. The diagnosis of lung cancer is confirmed by the appearance of cancer cells under the microscope, in the sample of the tumor tissue.
SymptomsThese include:
A}coughing
B}chest pain
C}haemoptysis-the presence of blood in the sputum
D}weight loss
E}tiredness
F}headaches
Just like in mesothelioma, these symptoms do not appear until many years after the initial exposure to the hazardous material. Anyone experiencing these symptoms of lung cancer and who has been exposed to asbestos in the past should seek immediate medical evaluation and examination.
Apart from mesothelioma and lung cancer which are the two most commonly associated cancers with exposure to asbestos, exposure can also lead to a number of other,very serious life threatening cancers like gastrointestinal cancer, and colorectal cancers. Also according to the National Cancer Institute, exposure to asbestos can also increase the chances of developing kidney, throat, esophagus, and gall bladder cancers.
In addition to these cancers, exposure to asbestos has also been linked to breast, ovarian and prostate cancers, as well as Leukemia and Lymphoma.
Associated Risk Factors For Asbestos Cancer
As with other carcinogens, the risk of developing this type of cancer is influenced by a number of factors related to exposure.
1-The amount of asbestos to which a person is exposed to is an important factor, as the number of asbestos fibers increases, so also the likelihood of developing serious asbestos related diseases increases.
2-The duration of exposure is also an important factor in determining the risk of developing the cancer.
3-Smoking increases the risk of developing the cancer.
4-The presence of other pre existing diseases also increases the risk of developing asbestos cancer. For example, people who have developed non malignant pleural diseases as a result of exposure to asbestos have a greater risk of developing lung cancer.
Recommended steps to take after exposure to asbestos
If you have been exposed to asbestos at any time, you should see your doctor for a medical examination. Most of the cancers caused by asbestos present years and decades after the initial exposure by which time the tumor will have been too advanced for curative treatments.
If you eventually receive a diagnosis of asbestos related cancer, you should seek the assistance of an asbestos lawyer to get you compensation from the companies that knowingly manufactured asbestos contaminated products.
About the Author
Bello kamorudeen is an health worker and author of several mesothelioma articles.For more information on asbestos cancers and mesothelioma visit http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Related Asbestos Cancer Articles