This is a guest post.
Mesothelioma is a type of malignant cancer that affects the layers of tissue covering the lungs and abdominal organs. It is aggressive and often deadly. The primary risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. When asbestos fibers are breathed in or swallowed, they settle in the lungs and stomach, inducing cancer-causing irritation. The majority of mesothelioma patients are people who work with asbestos such as shipyard workers, railroad and automotive workers, asbestos mine and mill workers, heating and construction industry workers, or others who work with asbestos products. Those who work with asbestos may carry it home on their clothing, putting those who live with them at risk. Older homes may contain asbestos in the insulation, shingles and flooring; if this material is disturbed or deteriorates causing asbestos to get into the air, you may be in danger. Symptoms of mesothelioma do not appear until decades after exposure, and by the time it is detected, it is at an advanced stage. Here are some symptoms to watch out for:
Weight Loss
Since weight loss indicates a large number of maladies, mesothelioma is rarely considered. However, it is a symptom of both pleural mesothelioma, which affects the tissue surrounding the lungs, and peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects abdominal tissue. If you experience abnormal weight loss and you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, you should be tested for mesothelioma. First, the doctor will give you a physical exam, and then might order screening tests such as a chest x-ray, CT scan, PET scan or MRI scan. If these tests show positive indication, other tests may be required.
Pain
Pain in your lower back or the side of your chest, possibly accompanied by coughing and shortness of breath, can be a symptom of pleural mesothelioma. Pain in the abdomen, possibly with nausea or vomiting, may signal peritoneal mesothelioma. By the time these symptoms appear, mesothelioma can be very hard to treat. If you suspect this cancer, get tested as soon as you can. Your survival rate is markedly improved if it is detected while it is still operable and before it has spread too far.
Swelling
Swelling of your face and arms is a symptom of pleural mesothelioma while swelling of the abdomen indicates peritoneal mesothelioma. Once swelling has occurred, surgery to relieve fluid buildup may be necessary. This may be followed by more aggressive treatment, such as surgery to remove tissue around the lungs and abdomen and as much of the cancer as possible. Surgery may be done either to try to cure the cancer or to try relieving as much pain and symptoms as possible. Radiation therapy is used post-surgery to remove remaining small areas of cancer and to ease symptoms. Chemotherapy may be used as the main treatment either before or after surgery.
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos at work or proximity to loved ones who worked with asbestos, you are entitled to file suit for negligence. Shrader Law can help you through the complexities of the legal process. You can collect compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and end of life costs.
This article was contributed on behalf of Shrader Law, your number one choice when seeking legal representation for cases involving mesothelioma. Make sure to contact Shrader Law if you are experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma and see how they can help you!
This is a very informative post about a very serious topic.
Its always important to know of, and be aware of the symptoms for serious illness like Mesothelioma, and other forms of cancer. Asbestos in itself is a terrifying thing, I can only hope that people who do work with it, or near it take every precaution possible.
So scary! Great post…catching it early is so important!
wow those are some serious symptoms, its scary, and people need to educate themselves on thing like this
Great info!! Thanks for sharing
Great post. Thanks for sharing it.
EEk, I can’t even imagine having to deal with this horrible disease!
Mesothelioma is so scary! Thanks for the informative post.
I am so not a fan of cancer, it has taken to many lives in my family and friends. Always nice to be aware.
I remember all of these symptoms for the commercials
I hadn’t heard of it before, but it’s good to raise awareness in case anyone develops some of these symptoms.
I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for these symptoms.
My friends dad died of this. So incredibly sad.
The only reason I’ve even heard of mesothelioma was because of the lawsuit commercials – thanks for providing info on the symptoms to look out for.
I’ve seen those same commercials on tv and always wondered about Mesothelioma. Thanks for sharing the information!
My goodness, that is incredibly scary!
Very scary stuff 🙁
Very scary indeed! Thanks for sharing this wonderful information, it’s greatly appreciated!