Symptoms of mesothelioma do not manifest soon after the contact with asbestos.
The use of asbestos raised major concerns worldwide as it is known to cause mesothelioma, or the cancer of the mesothelium. However, asbestos in itself is not danger as the mineral, if intact, is not harmful. It only becomes harmful when the asbestos is corrupted from its original forms which damages the fibers and thus releasing it to the air. These fibers causes pleural thickening in the mesothelium, producing pleural effusion or fluid collection.
Symptoms of mesothelioma
Fluid collection in the pleura causes chest pains, shortness of breath, and coughing. These are the most common symptoms of any form of mesothelioma. However, symptoms of mesothelioma do not manifest soon after the contact with asbestos. It appears only some 20 to 50 years after the exposure which poses difficulties in diagnosis.
Your doctor will evaluate the stage of cancer using the latest system known as the Brigham System. At both Stages I and II, the mesothelioma can still be surgically removed. The difference is the involvement of lymph node at the second stage. During these stages, the patient can still have a positive prognosis.
It affects the pleura which causes the following:
- chest wall pain
- pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
- shortness of breath
- fatigue or anemia
- wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
- blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
Tumor masses also manifest in severe cases. Tumors only occur during the late stages of mesothelioma. In even rarer, more dangerous cases pneumothorax or collapse of the lung happen. As with any cancer, metastasis can occur which causes the spread of the cancer cells to the other parts of the body.
