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Mesothelioma – A Listing of Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers or asbestos dust. This cancer involves malignant cells that develop in the mesothelium, which is a protective lining that covers the internal organs of the body.
The most common site for mesothelioma is the pleura. The pleura is the outer lining of the chest cavity and lungs. Another common site is the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity.
It can take up 50 years for mesothelioma to show symptoms after the initial exposure. These symptoms could be coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fluid in the pleural space.
In this article, we'll examine the symptoms of the these two most common sites of mesothelioma. That is, the pleura and the peritoneum.
When mesothelioma affects the pleura, the following symptoms may be present:
fatigue
cough
shortness of breath
blood in the sputum
chest pain
fluid surrounding the lung
When mesothelioma affects the peritoneum or abdominal cavity, the symptoms can be the following:
mass in the abdomen
weight loss
bowel function problems
abnormal fluid in the abdomen
abdominal pain
The most severe cases of mesothelioma have been known to show the following symptoms:
severe bleeding in the body organs
jaundice
blood clotting in the veins
drop in blood sugar levels
pleural effusion
blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
severe ascites
The best action to take when experiencing any symptoms is to see a physician. It is only through a complete diagnostic check-up that you will be able to be informed of whether you have mesothelioma.
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