There is a great deal of latency between exposure to asbestos and the onset of mesothelioma symptoms. In many patients, first signs of the disease will not occur for 30 to 50 years after exposure.
3 Pleural mesothelioma, which is the most common form of the disease, is associated with the following symptoms:
- Pain within the chest wall
- Shortness of breath (due to the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, also known as pleural effusion)
- Excessive fatigue
- Chronic cough
- Blood in the respiratory tract fluid (sputum)
Symptoms of abdominal disease, like peritoneal mesothelioma, will not typically manifest until the cancer is in its later stages. These symptoms include abdominal pain, buildup of fluid in the peritoneal space, a visible mass in the abdominal region, and problems with bowel function. Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include chest pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. Symptoms of later-stage or metastasized disease include extreme pleural effusion, blood clotting, diminished blood sugar levels, and severe fluid build-up in the peritoneal space.
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