In the early stages of malignant mesothelioma, there may be no detectable symptoms. The cancer itself is painless and develops slowly over a long period of time. This makes it very difficult to detect without extensive testing, and many victims are unaware they were at risk. Malignant mesothelioma is usually a result of exposure to asbestos that happened years, or even decades, before. It is thought to be caused by prolonged exposure, most commonly in a work environment, but it is unknown whether any level of exposure to asbestos can be considered safe.
Symptoms develop in the late stages of the cancer, when the tumors grow large enough to put pressure on a nerve or other body organ, or block the flow of air to the lungs. One reason for the relatively low survival rate of malignant mesothelioma patients is that by the time the symptoms manifest, it is often too late to help the patient.
The most common types of malignant mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma (lung) or peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen). The symptoms of these cancers can be attributed to other causes, but if you have any of these symptoms, see a physician, and have tests run. Make sure your doctor knows if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past to help him pinpoint or rule out the problem.
Early Detection:
There is no reliable method of early detection today. Malignant mesothelioma is rare and difficult to detect. For people with known exposure, many doctors recommend regular chest X-rays or CT scans to track lung changes that might indicate signs of malignant mesothelioma or other lung cancers, but it is unknown how reliable these tests are in finding early malignancy.
Recent research efforts reveal that people with malignant mesothelioma may have certain markers that can be detected with a blood test. Indicators such as elevated levels of osteopontin and soluble mesothelin-related peptides may one day be used as a screening tool, but are currently being used only to monitor patients already diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma for research purposes.
Symptoms of Late-Stage Pleural Mesothelioma:
- Pain in the lower back or the side of the chest
- Persistent coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Profound muscle weakness
- Hoarse voice
- Unexplained weight loss higher than 10% of your weight
- Sweating and fevers
- Trouble swallowing
- Swelling of the face and arms
- In very rare cases, some people experience changes in the shape of their fingers and nails called finger clubbing
Symptoms of Late-Stage Peritoneal Mesothelioma:
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- Swelling or fluid in the abdomen that cases bulging
- Unexplained weight loss higher than 10% of your weight
- Nausea and vomiting
If you have any of these symptoms do not jump to conclusions. Many of these symptoms are also associated with other common, and often temporary, ailments like allergic reactions, pneumonia, flu, or food poisoning. Consult with your doctor to determine what’s really going on.
People at Risk for Malignant Mesothelioma
Typical occupations most at risk for asbestos exposure are shipyard workers, automobile factory and repair workers, Navy personnel, construction workers, mine workers, heavy machine operators, and people who work with air conditioning and heating systems. Since asbestos dust sticks to clothing, the families of these workers are also at risk. People who live near mines are at greatest risk. Your doctor should know if you were ever at risk of asbestos exposure even if you have no reason to suspect asbestos cancer, malignant mesothelioma or another related disease, asbestosis.
While asbestos was commonly used in nearly everything built before the late 1970s, people who live in houses with asbestos tiles or insulation are not generally at risk. Most asbestos is bound to another material and can not float in the air to be inhaled. The danger is during manufacturing and mining, when materials are sawn or ground, filling the air with deadly asbestos dust. If you have an old house you wish to remodel, it’s best to hire a professional hazardous materials certified contractor to handle the repairs. Few people under the age of 30 in the United States are at risk for asbestos cancer or malignant mesothelioma today. Between 1940 and 1970, when asbestos was heavily in use, approximately 27.5 million people were exposed to toxic asbestos fibers at work.
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