Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose for a number of reasons. Primarily, a victim of mesothelioma typically develops symptoms of the disease slowly over long periods of time. In many cases, symptoms may not appear until 10 to 60 years after the victim’s asbestos exposure. In addition, many symptoms of the disease are non-specific, which can lead diagnosticians to investigate whether a particular patient suffers from a medical condition other than mesothelioma. Likewise, because mesothelioma is a rare disease, many doctors are not familiar with it.

If you or a loved one in the Buffalo area has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact the asbestos injury lawyers of Belluck & Fox, LLP, today. Our Buffalo, NY, mesothelioma attorneys handle asbestos disease cases in every county in New York State, including Buffalo and the surrounding communities. We provide personalized and professional legal representation, and we can advise you of the legal options available for you and your family.

For more information, use our online contact form or call Belluck & Fox, LLP’s mesothelioma lawyers toll-free at 877-MESOTHELIOMA (637-6843).

Mesothelioma – Difficult To Diagnose

The all-too-common difficulty in diagnosing mesothelioma is unfortunate, as early detection of the disease is critical to selecting the most effective treatment options. Early detection gives each patient the best chance for a favorable long-term outcome in responding to this aggressive cancer. Despite the difficulties in diagnosis, however, there exist many procedures available for the accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma.

The following symptoms can be caused by mesothelioma, or by other less serious medical problems. In general, early symptoms of mesothelioma are often similar to pneumonia, but the signs of mesothelioma vary depending on what part of the body is affected by the cancer.

This information is provided for your information only, and should NOT take the place of a full medical diagnosis. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described here, consult your doctor right away.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Pleural Effusions: One of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma is a pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. When the volume of fluid increases, this can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, known as “dyspnea,” and sometimes pain along the chest wall.
• Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) can be caused by a buildup of fluid in the pleural area of the lungs, and/or the presence of a tumor(s) in the pleural lining. Both conditions can restrict the proper functioning of the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath.
• Chest / Back Pain: A buildup of fluid in the pleural lining of the lungs can create a feeling of fullness and pressure, causing areas of localized pain in the chest cavity and sometimes in the lower back area. Chest pain occurs more often on the right side of the body, as mesothelioma affects the right lung 60% of the time. Only 5% of patients have mesothelioma in both lungs.
• Chronic Hoarseness / Difficulty Swallowing / Coughing up Blood: Chronic hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and/or coughing up blood (hemoptysis) are symptoms that are exhibited in less than 1% of undiagnosed mesothelioma sufferers.
• Swelling of the Face and Arms: The swelling of the face or neck areas can indicate a spreading of the cancer beyond the mesothelium.

Other reported symptoms include fever, muscle weakness and sensory loss, and nausea. Here are the symptoms and the percentage of mesothelioma sufferers who exhibit them:

• Shortness of breath or chest pain: 90%.
• Pleural Effusions: 84%.
• Weight loss: 29%.
• Cough, weakness, fever, loss of appetite: 3%.
• Hemoptysis (coughing up blood), hoarseness, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing): less than 1%.
• Asymptomatic: 3%.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Pain or Swelling of the Abdomen: Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma usually include abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites).
• Bowel Obstruction: A tumor in the peritoneum membranes, along with fluid buildup in the abdomen, can exert increasing pressure on the abdominal organs, leading to bowel obstruction and distention.
• Weight Loss / Anemia: Abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, and the pressure exerted by the presence of a tumor(s) can lead to a loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, anemia, and other “wasting symptoms.”
• The presence of tumors in the peritoneal tissues of the abdomen can also cause a change in frequency in urination, night sweats, fever, and loss of muscle tissue.

Contact Our Buffalo Asbestos Injury Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one in the Buffalo area has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the asbestos injury attorneys of Belluck & Fox, LLP, can help. We handle mesothelioma cases from Buffalo and the surrounding communities. Use our online contact form or call Belluck & Fox, LLP’s mesothelioma lawyers toll-free at 877-MESOTHELIOMA (637-6843).