Mesothelioma Symptoms
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008The common symptoms of mesothelioma are chest pain, shortness of breath, and a persistent cough. Yet, there are patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma that did not show any symptoms at all.
Other symptoms of mesothelioma are weight loss, bowel obstruction, abdominal pain and swelling, swelling of the neck or face, trouble swallowing, anemia, blood clotting problems, fever, and pleural effusion (water in the lungs).
The biggest problem is that mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose and a mesothelioma prognosisĀ hard to make. First, there are similar symptoms of less serious diseases that can add to the confusion. And second, it remains latent in the body for up to fifty years and it is usually not found until it is too late.
To be more accurate in the mesothelioma diagnosis, the doctor or researcher will compile the patient’s complete work and medical history to try to exactly pin point where the exposure to asbestos took place. Medical tests and examinations are performed including MRI and CT scans, as well as x-rays. There are biopsy procedures to test for the presence of cancer cells.
From the results then a mesothelioma treatment procedure will be drawn up to match the best options for the patient’s well being.