Early Signs of Mesothelioma: When to See a Doctor

There are over 200 types of cancer that can take direct aim at our health. Genetic mutations cause a small percentage of those cancer types. However, the overwhelming cause of cancer is triggered by mutations that happen as a result of aging or exposure to environmental factors. According to the National Cancer Institute, the leading contributors to non-hereditary cancers are tobacco smoke and radiation.

Another major environmental factor is inhaling or being exposed to asbestos. When that occurs, a person can develop mesothelioma. Because this type of cancer is caused by asbestos exposure, there could be a negligent act associated with that exposure. For instance, the owner of a building could be held accountable if workers were diagnosed with mesothelioma because of asbestos that was not mitigated in the facility.

That is the exact type of scenario in which you need to involve a mesothelioma lawyer like you’ll find at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP. We have helped clients and their families seek a fair remedy to compensate for the physical and emotional toll a mesothelioma diagnosis can create. Understanding how this disease can affect a person’s health is crucial to forming a narrative supporting a personal injury claim.

Early Signs of Mesothelioma

As the Cleveland Clinic explains, mesothelioma is a tumor that develops in the mesothelium, a tissue lining several of our body’s organs, such as the lungs, heart, and abdomen. When the cancer grows, it can affect the surrounding organs. There is a range of early signs and symptoms that are specific to different types of mesotheliomas. Consider the following:

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma begins in the pleura, which is the protective lining around the outside of the lungs. This type of mesothelioma is the most common.  Some early signs of pleural mesothelioma are a dry, persistent cough due to fluid buildup between the chest wall and the lungs. Here are the other potential symptoms you need to be aware of:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Fatigue or extreme tiredness
• Hoarseness
• Lower back pain
• Lumps in the chest area
• Muscle weakness
• Plural effusion
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Swelling of the face and arms
• Unexplained weight loss

In advanced cases, a patient can also experience thromboses, which are blood clots that block blood flow throughout the body.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Peritoneal mesothelioma targets the peritoneum, which is the abdominal lining. It is the second most common type of mesothelioma and presents with the following symptoms:

• Ascites or abdominal fluid buildup
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Blockage in the small intestine
• Constipation
• Fever and night sweats
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tiredness
• Unexplained weight loss

Of those symptoms, chronic abdominal pain is the most common. The cause of that pain could be tumors that are creating small bowel obstruction.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

One of the rare types of mesotheliomas is pericardial mesothelioma. This is a type of the disease that takes direct aim at the heart’s lining. These are the early warning signs to watch out for:

• Fever
• Night sweats
• Chest pain
• Overall weakness
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• Fatigue
• Heart murmurs
• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Low blood pressure
• Shortness of breath when lying down

When to See a Doctor

We all experience occasional aches and pains that can be attributed to overexertion. When those aches become chronic, it is vital to see a doctor. With this type of mesothelioma, chronic chest pain, abdominal swelling, or a persistent cough are key signs that you need to schedule a comprehensive exam with your doctor.

This should be a matter of urgency if it has been determined that you have a history of prolonged asbestos exposure. For instance, you might have worked in a factory or building that has recently been found to have high concentrations of exposed asbestos.

You should also consider an exam to see if one of your coworkers has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, even if you aren’t experiencing any of the symptoms. The appearance of those symptoms might not show up until the cancer is advanced. That is why early detection is so crucial.

If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is also important to speak with an attorney at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP. Because this cancer is most often tied to an environmental exposure, we can help trace the potential origin based on your work history and record of your living environments. It could be that there are other cases that can support your claim.

We understand that dealing with this type of diagnosis can be overwhelming. However, your expenses shouldn’t be. We can provide guidance and support to explore all the compensation options. Call our offices to schedule a consultation today.