Mesothelioma: Signs and Symptoms of Asbestos Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute definition, malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the lining of the chest or abdomen.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that most often starts in the covering of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) but can also start in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma).

Exposure to airborne asbestos particles increases one’s risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

Recognizing symptoms early and informing your doctor about any history of asbestos exposure can help lead to an earlier-than-normal diagnosis (photo mesothelioma.com)

The most common symptoms of mesothelioma can include a dry, hacking cough that will not go away, shortness of breath and abdominal pain. Symptoms can be different based on the type of asbestos cancer and can be vague and mild even as the disease progresses into a later stage. Early signs can be so slight that they are mistaken as normal aches and pains or symptoms of other illnesses, making asbestos-related cancer hard to detect.

Mesothelioma early symptoms:

–          Dry cough

–          Shortness of breath

–          Minor fatigue

Mesothelioma advanced symptoms:

–          Chest pain

–          Weight loss

–          Respiratory complications

Recognizing symptoms early and informing your doctor about any history of asbestos exposure can help lead to an earlier-than-normal diagnosis and a much better chance of a potentially curative therapy.