For a cancer as rare as mesothelioma, it is extremely severe. Only a few thousand diagnoses are made annually in the United States, which is one reason it’s such a little-known cancer. But what it gives up in numbers, it unfortunately makes up for in aggressiveness.
The primary cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. The first attempt at an asbestos ban in the U.S. was issued in 1989, and a finalized ban was announced last year.
Many products used to build homes before the first ban contained asbestos. When those products are disturbed, the asbestos fibers can become lethal if they enter people’s lungs.
People diagnosed with this cancer are unlikely to have a life expectancy outside of two years.
The reality is that most live between four months and 18 months post-diagnosis. That’s one reason it’s essential to know what symptoms might indicate someone has this kind of cancer.
While there are several kinds of mesothelioma, the two most common types are pleural mesothelioma, which affects the chest wall and lungs, and peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the abdominal organs.
Continue reading to see five symptoms of mesothelioma you should know about. It can take up to 50 years between asbestos exposure and symptoms of mesothelioma. The sooner you identify symptoms, the sooner you can get treatment and potentially boost your life expectancy.
1. Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of this type of cancer, and there are various symptoms to be on the lookout for. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms could be indicative of other illnesses. Your best bet is to follow up with your doctor rather than sit around and possibly worry needlessly.
Persistent chest pain is one sign. If you have a sharp pain in your chest that won’t go away, don’t ignore it. You’ll want to check in with your doctor to see if the issue is something you need to take seriously. Another symptom is shortness of breath. Difficulty breathing is nothing to take lightly. If you have mesothelioma, shortness of breath could point to fluid buildup.
In addition to difficulty swallowing and fatigue, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include unexplained weight loss. Exercising regularly and watching what you eat will help you shed some weight. But if you’re losing weight suddenly without rhyme or reason, that’s something worth asking your doctor about. It’s not a sure sign of mesothelioma, but it’s a symptom of some health problem.
2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen)
When it comes to peritoneal mesothelioma, symptoms include abdominal pain and swelling. If you experience discomfort in your abdomen out of the blue, that’s a reason to talk to your doctor.
A change in bowel habits is also something to be mindful of. If you all of a sudden experience constipation, diarrhea, or irregular bowel movements, that could signal a problem. Other symptoms of this type of cancer include unexplained weight loss, nausea, and lumps in the abdomen.
3. Testicular Mesothelioma
A more rare form of mesothelioma is the testicular variety. It adversely impacts the lining around the testes. Symptoms of testicular mesothelioma include pain and swelling.
4 Pericardial Mesothelioma (Heart)
Chest pain should never be ignored. Someone who has pericardial mesothelioma might experience issues like chest pain around the heart region. Palpitations are another symptom, as are shortness of breath, swelling in the feet or legs, and fatigue.
5. General Symptoms
Some symptoms are common among all types of mesothelioma. One of them is anemia or a low red blood cell count that can lead to pale skin. Night sweats or fevers are also symptoms. If you wake up at night covered in sweat, you’ll want to get that investigated by your doctor.
While having one or more of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have mesothelioma, it’s still a good idea to see your doctor. Many of these symptoms could be the result of some other health concern.
What you don’t want to do is ignore any of these symptoms.
