Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

All the forms of mesothelioma have several symptoms. Normally these symptoms do not appear in an individual for 20-50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos has occurred and that may lead to a delay in diagnosis.

Pleural Mesothelioma cancer

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and rare form of cancer which is affecting the tissue that lines the heart, lungs, abdominal organs and other internal organs. The asbestos exposure is the main risk factor in this cancer. The use of asbestos products in industries and the inhalation of asbestos particles lead the malignant mesothelioma in people.

Stage I Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

This is the earliest stage in which proper diagnosis and prognosis should be done. The mesothelioma patients should approach the doctor for consultation to start the best alternative mesothelioma treatment as a precautionary measure before disease matures in the body. The symptoms are:

• Mesothelioma affects the outer layer of pleura around the chest wall
• The disease has affected one side of the chest cavity
• It may be seen in the diaphragm

Stage II Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

The most common form pleural mesothelioma affects the serous membranes of the lungs. Almost 75% of the mesothelioma cases are pleural mesothelioma and the disease is caused by the settle of asbestos fibers in the pleura. Second stage symptoms of pleural mesothelioma result from pleural effusion and show the symptoms:

• mesothelioma tumor affecting one side of the chest
• the cells are spread into the lung’s outer lining or the diaphragm muscle
• Difficulty in breathing

Stage III Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Depends on the size and position of the tumor, involvement of the lymph nodes and the area where the mesothelioma cells spread decides the third stages of the pleural mesothelioma. This stage needs regular supervision by a team of doctors periodically to have a check on the patient’s health condition.

• the disease has grown to the chest wall
• Usually affects the one side of the chest
• Chances of lymph nodes

Stage IV Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

This is the most advanced stage and mesothelioma cannot be removed by surgery because in this stage the tumor has spread to different parts of the chest wall. It leads to critical situation for the patient life. This stage is marked as the most dangerous period in the patient’s life. Intensive care is the need of the hour. The symptoms are:

• The cancer has spread to the pleural area and the lymph nodes on the opposite’s side of where the tumor is located.
• The mesothelioma spread from both side of the pleura lining into the chest muscle and spread to other areas like esophagus, trachea, blood vessels or thymus.
• Difficulty in breathing is most felt.
• Diagnosis of mesothelioma shows large quantity of pleural fluid in the body.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma symptoms

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are not unique and resemble the symptoms of common illness. So it is difficult for the mesothelioma doctors to diagnose the disease. The major symptoms of mesothelioma include like shortness of breath, fatigue, dry cough, fever, weight loss, lumps in the abdomen, pain under the rib area etc.