Symptoms
Those with mesothelioma will experience a latency period in which no symptoms are apparent. It can take 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to see any symptoms. Symptoms associated with mesothelioma are very similar to other lung-related illnesses, therefore hard to diagnose. Some symptoms to look for are:
- Shortness of breath
- Cough, wheezing
- Chest pain
- Fluid accumulation in the lungs
- Weight loss
- Abdominal swelling and pain
- Bowel obstruction
- Abnormal blood clotting
- Anemia
- Fever
- Intravascular coagulation causing severe internal organ bleeding
- Low blood sugar levels
- Severe ascites
- Jaundice or yellowing of eyes and skin
- Pleural effusion
Symptoms may include pain, difficulty in swallowing, or swelling of your neck or face. In later stages of mesothelioma, symptoms may even include formation of tumors that can metastasize and spread to other parts of your body. Cancer cells will rapidly begin to replace cell regeneration with cell mutation. Internal organs will cease to function once majority of its cells have mutated rather than regenerate into healthy cells. Radiation therapy is often used to help further outbreak of cancerous cell mutation.
