Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer. It affects the lining of various cavities in the body. Over time, the growth of the cancerous tumours causes these tissues to expand and gather fluid. The presence of excess fluid is typically what causes the symptoms to occur.
Most studies show that mesothelioma can occur as much as 30 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos. Only a short time period of asbestos exposure, as little as a few months, can create the conditions for a disease that erupts much later in life.
In its early stages, mesothelioma does not have many symptoms. Also, many of the mesothelioma symptoms are the same as for other medical problems. The symptoms of the disease will depend on the location of the tumours.
Pleural mesothelioma
The most common site for mesothelioma is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity). Some patients show no symptoms at all but a chest x-ray may show a build-up of fluid in the lungs. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
- A persistent cough and/or chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Less common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Fevers and night sweats
Peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the abdomen lining. The symptoms include:
- Pain in the abdomen
- Swelling in the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Bowel obstruction
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma also occurs in the pericardium (the lining of the heart) causing fluid to gather. As the volume of fluid increases, the symptoms include:
- Chest pain - ranging from mild to stabbing
- Shortness of breath
- Dry cough
- Irregular heart beating
- Irregular breathing patterns
Pericardial mesothelioma is the most rare type of mesothelioma.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, please contact our solicitors or fill in our online claim form to discuss your own case, and our team will guide you through the claims process.
