Mesothelioma Cancer Guide

Asbestos Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. Asbestos exposure occurs via inhalation of asbestos fibers. Once these fibers have entered the lungs, they flow to the pleural membrane, and the body can not expel them. After 20 years or more, asbestos fibers cause changes in these pleural cells, and then form the cancerous cells. If you suffer mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure during job, then you have right to get compensation from your former company.

According to mesothelioma research, the symptoms of mesothelioma cancer are non specific. That is why the diagnosis process of mesothelioma can take longer time than the diagnosis process of other kind of cancer. Sometimes, the symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to the symptoms of pneumonia or influenza. Only expert doctor can make a definitive diagnosis, and while mesothelioma may be suspected by using imaging techniques such as x-rays or CT scans, in most cases it can only be confirmed through a tissue biopsy.
Generally, the symptoms of mesothelioma are:
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing, even when resting (dyspnea)
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain severe to acute
• Inability to sleep
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Depression/ Anxiety
• Weakness
• Husky voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Bowel function problems
• Chest wall pain
• Weight loss
• Pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
• Anemia
• Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
• Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
• Blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
• Jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
• Skin problems (itchy, dryness)
• Low blood sugar level
• Pleural effusion
• Pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
• Fever or night sweats
• Gastrointestinal problems

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