Mesotheileoma Symptoms and Diagnosis
Mesotheileoma is not easy to diagnose. The early symptoms of mesotheileoma are generally not alarming, and are often mistaken for other, much milder illnesses. Because of this, people with mesotheileoma are often not diagnosed with the cancer until it has reached the later stages, where it is difficult to treat. The lack of early diagnosis and early treatment for mesotheileoma is the single biggest reason for the low five year survival rate. It is the single biggest reason that the prognosis for most people who are diagnosed with mesotheileoma is death, usually within a year of diagnosis.
Over the past five to ten years, however, there have been improvements in X-rays and imaging techniques along with a growing awareness of mesotheileoma. These two factors have made it easier to spot mesotheileoma in its earlier stages when there are more options for treatment and a better chance for survival. Anyone who worked with or around asbestos in the past should inform their health care professional of their past history of asbestos exposure and request a screening for any signs of asbestos related disease.
In addition, anyone who worked with or around asbestos should be aware of the signs and symptoms of asbestos related diseases. You should ask your doctor to refer you for a mesotheileoma screening if you worked with asbestos or think you were exposed to asbestos in the past and are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
Pleural Mesotheileoma Symptoms
- Shortness of breath that worsens over time and is unrelated to asthma or another illness
- A persistent dry, non-productive cough
- Any changes to your normal cough if you have a chronic cough
- Chronic chest pain or tightness in the chest area, especially unrelated to physical exertion
- Blood in the sputum
- Hoarseness or raspiness in your voice
- Difficulty or pain when you swallow
In the later stages, mesotheileoma may also cause:
- increased chest pain and shortness of breath often with little or no exertion
- Significant weight loss without any apparent cause
- Clubbed fingertips
These symptoms are not necessarily indicative of mesotheileoma, but if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should make your doctor aware of your past history of asbestos exposure so that he can form an informed diagnosis and refer you for more tests if needed.
Peritoneal Mesotheileoma
Pleural mesotheileoma is the most common form of mesotheileoma. It affects the thin layer of cells that surround the lungs. In rarer cases, the asbestos fibers lodge in the lining around the abdominal cavity and organs. When mesotheileoma attacks the lining of the abdominal cavity, it is called peritoneal mesotheileoma. The symptoms of peritoneal mesotheileoma include:
- Chronic abdominal pain and tenderness
- Swelling in the abdominal region from fluid collecting in the peritoneum
- Significant weight loss with no apparent reason
- Loss of appetite
As with pleural mesotheileoma, these symptoms are not definitive. However, if you were exposed to asbestos in the past and are experiencing the above symptoms, it is vital that your doctor know about your history of asbestos exposure.
Pericardial Mesotheileoma
The rarest form of mesotheileoma attacks the lining around the heart. When asbestos fibers find their way into the pericardium, they cause scarring that makes it difficult for the heart tissues to do their work efficiently. The job of the pericardial mesothelium is to provide lubrication that allows your heart to contract and expand regularly. When cancer attacks the pericardium, the tissue produces far too much fluid and constricts the movement of the heart. The following symptoms may indicate pericardial mesotheileoma:
- Chronic chest pain
- Tightness in the chest
- Chronic shortness of breath, unrelated to physical activity
If your doctor is aware that you were exposed to asbestos in the past, it will make it easier for him or her to diagnose mesotheileoma properly.
Diagnosing Mesotheileoma
There are other symptoms of mesotheileoma that are less obvious, especially to the patient. Your doctor may see or hear these other signs when examining you, though.
- A crackling sound in your lungs when examined with a stethoscope. This is often indicative of pleural plaques – small areas of calcified scar tissue on your lungs that are caused by asbestos
- The collection of fluid around your lungs which is caused by mesotheileoma can change the way that your chest sounds when your doctor thumps on it from hollow a hollow thump to a dull thud.
- Your X-rays may show opaque white spots on your lungs which may be pleural plaques
- Pleural fibrosis may show up in CT scans or X-rays
If your doctor is aware that you were exposed to asbestos, he may order a procedure to collect fluid from around your lungs or other tissues and have that fluid examined. One of the clearest signs of mesotheileoma is the presence of asbestos fibers in that fluid. Unfortunately, the absence of those fibers does not necessarily indicate that you do not have mesotheileoma.
Your doctor may also order other tests to help in diagnosing your condition. Those other tests may include biopsies of any tumors or plaques that are found in your lungs and analysis of fluids collected from around your lungs, heart or abdominal cavity.
Who is at risk of mesotheileoma?
Anyone who was exposed to any level of asbestos for any length of time may be at risk for mesotheileoma. Unfortunately, many people have no idea that they were exposed to asbestos. You should pay particular attention to the symptoms listed above if you or a family worker ever worked in one of the following high-risk professions:
- asbestos worker or insulation worker
- asbestos mining or refining industry
- Auto mechanic, especially brake mechanic
- Steel mill worker
- Shipfitter
- Repairing or making boilers
- Pipe fitter
- Drywall taper
- Any job that put you on construction sites through the 1970s
- Any job that put you in a shipyard through the 1970s
- Custodian working with furnaces and boilers
- Demolition or renovation of older buildings
You are also in the high risk category for mesotheileoma if you lived with anyone who worked in those industries up to and including the 1970s, especially if you handled their dirty work clothes or were responsible for laundry.
In addition, the high risk mesotheileoma category includes those who lived around any factory, mine, refining plant or mill that regularly or dealt with asbestos in large quantities. This includes anyone who worked with vermiculite during the 1970s through the 1990s.
If you or a family member were exposed to asbestos and you show any of the symptoms listed above, it’s vital that you contact a doctor as soon as possible, and be certain that he or she knows about your previous asbestos exposure. If you are diagnosed with mesotheileoma, asbestosis or another asbestos related disease, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
