Mesothelioma Symptoms

In its early stages, malignant mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as pneumonia. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia, including:

• Chest pain,
• Shortness of breath,
• Persistent cough and
• A build-up of fluid in the lungs

In fact, these symptoms are common in many illnesses that are less serious than Mesothelioma. Because of this, doctors often overlook mesothelioma diagnosis until the disease reaches an advanced stage. Unfortunately, mesothelioma treatment is most effective when the disease is discovered early, and often by the time of diagnosis, it is too late for any significant intervention.

Types of Mesothelioma

There are three types of malignant mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma involves the abdomen, stomach, liver and bowel. Pleural mesothelioma involves the lungs and chest. Pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely rare form that affects the tissues surrounding the heart. Symptoms for these types of mesothelioma are as follows:

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

• Distended abdomen / Abdominal bloating (due to fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity)
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Abdominal mass
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swelling of the feet
• Impaired bowel function

(Visit our Peritoneal Mesothelioma page for more on peritoneal mesothelioma.)

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

• Chest and lower back pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Muscle weakness and sensory loss
• Swelling of the face and arms
• Hoarseness
• Coughing up blood

(Visit our Pleural Mesothelioma page for more on pleural mesothelioma.)

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

• Chest pain
• Dyspnea (abnormal or uncomfortable breathing)
• Cough
• Palpitations

Any Exposure to Asbestos Warrants a Mesothelioma Screening

The best way to catch mesothelioma at an early, treatable stage, is to get screened for Mesothelioma if you have ever worked with or have ever been exposed to asbestos. Even if you do not feel sick, an early screening can be crucial.

And of course, if you have been exposed to asbestos and you are suffering any of the above symptoms, it is absolutely vital that you seek medical treatment immediately. Recovery is dependent on intervening early.

Our Lawyers Can Help

The attorneys of law firm of Harowitz & Tigerman are here to help. Our home state of California has a particularly high rate of mesothelioma because of the many shipyards located up and down the coast. Our lawyers are dedicated to doing everything we can to help sufferers of this tragic condition.