The Maune Raichle Law Firm

Mesothelioma Symptom

During its earliest stages mesothelioma tends to be asymptomatic, making early detection rare and unlikely. The first symptom of pleural mesothelioma, the most common type, is shortness of breath usually accompanied by some mild pain and is often shortly followed by labored breathing.

Secondary symptoms which tend to indicate more advanced cancers, but can still occur early on, are decreased oxygen content, which leads to clubbed fingers and fatigue in extremities, and a pleural effusion. These symptoms can lead to serious issues such as organ failure, inability to get enough air to breath, and occasionally a compressed or collapsed lung. Seeking medical attention when painful breathing and shortness of breath first appear can often prevent the development of any further symptoms if treatment can begin quickly.

As mesothelioma awareness increases, individuals who have been exposed to asbestos are more aware of which symptoms are serious and that it is important to consult a doctor as early as possible. With even a single symptom of mesothelioma and a history of asbestos exposure, a doctor will often order some form of imaging, whether it be an MRI, CAT scan, or X-ray.

Typically, symptoms – with the exception of pain and a pleural effusion – are hard to treat. If treatment of the case of mesothelioma is possible, it will be the removal of the cancer which reduces and eliminates remaining symptoms. With a mixture of surgical removal, chemotherapy and radiation, tumors are treated and in cases where treatment is successful, a level of health will return to the patient. Often lung function is able to go back to pre-cancer level if there was no surgical removal of any piece of the lung.