When mesothelial cells grow out of control, cancer can develop. There are four different types of mesothelioma that doctors currently know about. Mesothelioma can develop in different ways, and healthcare providers do not always know what causes a particular type of mesothelioma. However, what researchers do know is that asbestos exposure plays a major role in causing mesothelioma.

How does asbestos exposure lead to a mesothelioma diagnosis? In brief, asbestos is a mineral that used to be used quite frequently in a variety of construction and home-building materials, such as insulation and tiling.

 

When asbestos gets disturbed, often through redecorating, renovations, or demolition work, asbestos fibers can enter into the air. Workers then inhale these fibers, which can travel down to the lungs. Those asbestos fibers can cause harm to the pleura, which is the tissue around your lungs. Causing Pleural mesothelioma, one form of mesothelioma cancer.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma

If you were exposed to asbestos at any point in the last five decades and you experience any of the following signs and symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as you can. According to a Pleural Mesothelioma Guidebook, the following are common signs of pleural mesothelioma:

• Shortness of breath (also known as dyspnea);
• Chest pain;
• Painful breathing;
• Pain in your lower back;
• Pain in the area of your ribs;
• Persistent dry cough or a raspy cough;
• Coughing up blood (also known as hemoptysis);
• Difficulty swallowing (also known as dysphagia);
• Lumps under your skin on your chest;
• Night sweats;
• Fever;
• Unexplained weight loss; and
• Fatigue

Shortness of breath is the most common sign that you may be suffering from mesothelioma (about 75 percent of patients with this disease experience that symptom). More than 50 percent of people diagnosed with mesothelioma experience chest pain. While these symptoms can indicate a different disease altogether, you should be checked out by a doctor to rule out mesothelioma. 

In some cases, patients also experience nerve pain and swelling in the face or arms. Even if you only experience one or two of the symptoms mentioned above, if you may be at risk for mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, it is smart to seek help from a doctor sooner rather than later. 

Common Symptoms of Each Stage of Mesothelioma

In some cases, patients with mesothelioma will not have any warning signs or symptoms until the disease has progressed to a later stage. Generally speaking, there are four stages of mesothelioma, and patients often do not seek any treatment options until their cancer has progressed to stage III or stage IV.

Stage 1: In this early stage, the Mesothelioma Tumor is only in one place. This is most commonly is in the lining of the lungs but can also be found in the heart, or abdomen. The cancer has not spread to other areas of the body and very few if any symptoms are experienced at this stage.

Stage 2: Mesothelioma progresses to stage 2 once it has progressed beyond its origination point. A common place for it to initially spread is to the nearby lymph nodes. At this stage weight loss, constant coughing, and shortness of breath are more common although still mild.

Stage 3: This is where diagnosis most commonly occurs as the disease has further spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms common to this stage are a greater difficulty breathing and chest pain.

Stage 4: This is the most advanced stage where the symptoms are the most severe and can affect many different areas of the body. Symptoms include difficulties swallowing and breathing, intense pain, coughing up blood, and other problems. 

The earlier you receive a diagnosis, the better. While there is no cure for mesothelioma, patients who receive a diagnosis and begin treatment earlier on have a better life expectancy.

Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyer in Sacramento

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento mesothelioma attorney. If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or if you’ve recently lost a loved one because of this tragic disease, please give me a call at 916.921.6400 for free, friendly advice. I can also be contacted by using this online form.

I am a California Million Dollar Advocate. Advocates are top-ranked trial lawyers in the United States who have obtained multiple million dollar case verdicts and/or settlements on behalf of their clientele.

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