Mesothelioma Symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma are very similar to many other, less malignant conditions such as respiratory infections.  In fact, unless a doctor is specifically looking for mesothelioma, the cancer can go unnoticed for years - if not decades.  This aspect of the disease makes it all the more tragic; for although mesothelioma is presently incurable, early detection of the condition provides doctors with more options for treatment.

It is not uncommon for a doctor to misdiagnose or fail to recognize mesothelioma.  Further complicating the diagnosis of mesothelioma is that the three different types - pleural (lung), pericardial (heart), and peritoneal (abdomen) - often present different symptoms and occasionally exhibit no symptoms at all. Once a doctor suspects mesothelioma, he or she will look for symptoms that include:

• General, non-specific symptoms such as anemia, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and general fatigue.
• Pleural mesothelioma, or the type that affects the lungs, often causes several additional symptoms such as chest pain, persistent cough, and shortness of breath.  The most common symptom of pleural mesothelioma is a condition called pleural effusion, which is a build up of fluid in the tissues of the lungs.
• Peritoneal mesothelioma is often responsible for weight loss with abdomen expansion due to fluid buildup, nausea, bowel obstruction, and swelling of the feet.
• Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma and has even fewer symptoms.  It takes a dedicated and experienced doctor to recognize and diagnose pericardial mesothelioma.

These symptoms generally only begin to appear decades after initial asbestos exposure.  Unfortunately by the time these symptoms are noticed it is often too late to treat the disease, and many doctors concentrate on improving the quality of life for the victim.

Almost 3,000 people die every year from mesothelioma, and nearly 7,000 more succumb to other asbestos-related diseases.  If you or someone you love was tragically affected by the devastating consequences of asbestos exposure, you should contact our lawyers as soon as possible.  Our firms are recognized leaders in mesothelioma litigation and has secured settlements and verdics for victims of asbestos-related illnesses and their families across Orange County and throughout all corners of the country.  Our attorneys have the experience, dedication, and compassion needed to fight for the justice you are entitled to.  Get help today – you deserve nothing less.