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Signs You Might Have a Form of Mesothelioma
Posted on behalf of Peter T. Nicholl in Mesothelioma & Asbestos Published on August 14, 2018 and updated on March 3, 2022.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It can be life-threatening if it is not quickly diagnosed. This is why you should learn about the symptoms of this potentially deadly disease, particularly if you have reason to believe you were exposed to asbestos earlier in your life. This way, if symptoms arise, you may be more likely to seek potentially life-saving treatment.
If you believe that you may have mesothelioma and have experienced the symptoms listed below, it is important to seek legal advice from a qualified mesothelioma lawyer in Maryland.
Signs of Different Types of Mesothelioma
There are several different types of malignant mesothelioma. The symptoms that people experience can differ, based on the type of mesothelioma they have and how far it has progressed. Some common symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Shortness of breath
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Pain in the chest
- Dry cough or wheezing
- Fluid buildup in the lungs
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Muscle weakness
- Night sweats
- Increased pain
- Bowel obstruction
- Loss of appetite
- Anemia
- Respiratory complications
- Difficulty swallowing
These symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses, such as pneumonia or respiratory conditions. Common mesothelioma symptoms are often ignored, which is why the disease is usually not diagnosed until it is in its later stages.
If mesothelioma is discovered in the early stages, it is usually an accident – the patient is diagnosed after routine tests, such as x-rays or blood tests.
Immediate treatment of mesothelioma may increase the odds of survival. If you had a history of asbestos exposure, you should discuss this with your doctor so that he or she can keep mesothelioma on the short list of conditions you may have.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Individuals develop this condition by inhaling asbestos fibers that become lodged in the lining of their lungs. The fibers often cause irritation and inflammation of the lining of the lungs and can also cause fluid to build up around the lugs. Due to these symptoms, individuals may experience painful breathing.
Additional symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Body aches
- Persistent coughing
- Dry cough
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Late-stage symptoms include:
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Painful breathing
- Anemia
- Persistent coughing
- Coughing up blood
- Difficulty swallowing
- Persistent pain in the chest or ribs
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the abdomen caused by inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers. This condition is not divided into stages because people inflicted with the condition develop symptoms at different rates.
This condition has several of the same symptoms as pleural mesothelioma, such as fatigue and unexplained weight loss. Other symptoms include:
- Abdominal fluid backup
- Abdominal swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Epilepsy
- Hernias
- Stomach pain
- Bowel obstruction
Pericardial Mesothelioma
This is the rarest form of asbestos. It develops in the lining of the heart. Symptoms include:
- Pericardial thickening
- Irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Fluid buildup
- Heart palpitations
- Heart murmurs
- Difficulty breathing
- Pericardial bleeding
- Fatigue
Testicular Mesothelioma
The most common sign of testicular mesothelioma is a lump in the testes. This type of mesothelioma accounts for less than one percent of all cases. Some common symptoms include:
- Fluid in the scrotum
- Swollen testicles
- Testicular pain
- Swollen testicles
Contact a Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you have experienced the symptoms above and you believe you might have been exposed to asbestos, it is important that you contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer for assistance. We can help you explore your legal options for recovery. We can gather evidence to establish when your asbestos exposure occurred and the damage that it has caused. We can pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Our attorneys offer a free, no obligation legal consultation to review your situation. You will not be charged for our services unless you receive compensation.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form or call us at 410-244-7005.
