Early Signs of Mesothelioma: How to Recognize Symptoms Before It’s Too Late

| Updated on 20 November 2024
Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Cancer has long been known as the most dangerous disease that spreads throughout your body in no time and becomes life-threatening. One such rare and aggressive cancer type is mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma grows in mesothelium tissue that covers the lungs, the heart, abdomen, and reproductive organs. It is caused when you consume a lot of asbestos.

If you have been too close in contact with asbestos, you need to read this guide and learn the early symptoms of the disease before it gets out of hand! 

Understanding Mesothelioma and its Connection to Asbestos Exposure

Past records show that the people who had mesothelioma were exposed to high levels of asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral found in nature that was previously used as insulation in construction, shipbuilding, and automotive products.

It is said when asbestos is disturbed, tiny particles are released into the air. These particles can be easily swallowed and breathed in, causing direct exposure to asbestos.

When someone consumes it, the product remains in the body for years and causes inflammation and irritation, causing you to develop mesothelioma.

However, the thing is that people do not develop cancer from this low-level exposure. So, until or unless you work in industries using harmful levels of asbestos, like automotive, mining, construction, etc., you won’t have this kind of disease.

Is asbestos still used?
Yes, asbestos is still used in some products. However, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned the last type of asbestos that can be used.

Recognizing the Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is not a disease you can easily ignore or simply pass by. If your family history shows the signs of this cancer, then you must keep your eyes out for the early signs.

Looking for the early symptoms of this cancer can be a pain in the neck, as they often signal some other illness.

Here I’ve jotted down the common symptoms, so make sure to look through it.

  • Abdominal pain
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing or wheezing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue and muscle weakness
  • Fever and night sweats
  • Fluid buildup
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unexplained weight loss

Differences Between Mesothelioma Types and Their Symptoms

As mesothelioma affects different linings of the body, it is divided into the types based on the part it affects. Here we will look at its different types and their various symptoms.

  1. Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)

    Its early signs include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Lumps in the chest area
  • Fluid on the lungs
  1. Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen)

    It causes:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Anemia
  • Abnormal fluid collection
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite and loss of weight
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • A blockage in the small intestine
  1. Pericardial Mesothelioma (Heart)

    This might cause:

  • Low blood pressure
  • Abnormal heart rhythm patterns
  • Chest pain
  • Trouble breathing
  1. Testicular Mesothelioma (Testicles)

    With this, you might experience:

  • Swelling in the scrotum caused by fluid collection
  • Lump in the scrotum
  • Inguinal hernia
  • Cyst in the epididymis

When to Seek Medical Attention and Diagnostic Procedures?

Diagnostic process for mesothelioma

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms I’ve listed above, you might need to visit your doctor for a checkup. When you visit a doctor, they might perform the following tests to check whether you have mesothelioma.

  • Imaging Tests

    It includes a chest x-ray, CT scan, echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), PET scan, and MRI scan. These tests are done to get pictures of the inside of your body.

  • Blood Tests

    People with this cancer have a high amount of certain substances. Doctors perform blood tests to perform these levels.

  • Test of Fluid and Tissue Samples

    This test includes taking the lump of fluids for testing, needle biopsies, endoscopic biopsies, and open surgical biopsies.

  • Pulmonary Function Tests

    If the doctor confirms the cancer, they will perform PFTs to check how far the cancer has spread into your body.

If you detect the illness in its early stages, you still have the chance to save yourself or your loved ones using the right treatment process.

If you have developed mesothelioma because of working in the manufacturing or automotive industry, you can ask your employers for compensation. 

You can contact your lawyer and file claims. Since your employers were the ones who risked your lives, they should be responsible for the medical charges. Read more about these Mesothelioma Stages to know more about your rights and how to file a case.

Available Treatment Options for Mesothelioma

Although research says that people with mesothelioma typically live for 4 to 18 months, if you get the treatment on time, you can surpass that and even live more than 10 years. Here are the treatments available on the market that may help you live longer.

  • Chemotherapy: In this, drugs are injected into your body to fight the quickly growing cancer cells.
  • Immunotherapy: This treatment uses your immune system to attack the cancer cells.
  • Surgery: It removes the tumors and lymph nodes from your body through surgery.
  • Radiation Therapy: This uses ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells and slow their growth.
  • Targeted Therapy: It uses drugs and other substances to change the molecules of the cancer cells and turn them into normal cells.

Can a person survive mesothelioma?
Yes, some can survive mesothelioma, but survival rates may vary depending on various factors, such as age, type, or treatment.

Ways to Prevent Mesothelioma and Protect Health

Many professionals on the internet say that the best way to avoid this illness is to stay away from asbestos. 

If you work closely with the mineral, make sure you are always wearing protective gear, like respirators, gloves, and suits. On top of that, regularly visit the doctor to get health checkups.

If you think the substance has accidentally infected your home, call the professionals to inspect your home and perform proper ventilation. They will get it instantly removed. If you think you have encountered the illness, don’t waste time and visit your doctor ASAP.

Supporting Loved Ones Affected by Mesothelioma

If, God forbid, your loved ones end up encountering this serious cancer, you must stay with them and provide them with much-needed emotional and practical support.

Do your research, help them learn the symptoms, find the right doctor and treatment, and last, but not least, look for counseling services and support groups. This way, you will be able to help them recover both emotionally and physically.

With that in mind, I’m sure you will be able to identify the signs and overcome the illness or help your loved ones fight the battle against destiny!




Kimmi Dhiman

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