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Mesothelioma Symptoms

It usually takes a very long time for Mesothelioma to develop unlike the AIDS virus. 30 to 50 years can past from first exposure to asbestos before people are diagnosed with the cancer. Mesothelioma has the same signs as pneumonia so it is difficult at the start to diagnose.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma is complicated by the fact that in its early stages some patients experience no symptoms at al. Many health problems have the same symptoms as mesothelioma. It is another reason why it's so hard to assign mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer of the lung lining) include:

• pain in the lower back or the side of the chest
• shortness of breath
• a persistent coughing and coughing up blood
• difficulty swallowing food
• fever and sweating
• fatigue
• weight loss
• difficulty sleeping
• swelling of face and arms
• loss of appetite
• muscle weakness

These symptoms are also common to many minor ailments and, therefore, may not cause a doctor to suspect mesothelioma.

Pleural Effusion-fluid in the Lungs

The accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest cavity is one of the most common and specific symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. It requires a doctor to drain the fluid, called fine-needle aspiration, to relieve chest pain and to make breathing easier. This is the most unique symptom of mesothelioma. It shows that you may have this type of cancer.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma (abdominal mesothelioma - mesothelioma of the lining of the stomach) include:

• stomach pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• weight loss
• swelling of lower extremities
• impaired bowel function

Like pleural mesothelioma, these symptoms are also common to many minor ailments and, therefore, may not cause a doctor to suspect mesothelioma, which definitely is vary scary.

What are the early symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Because the chest cavity and abdominal cavity are the primary sites of origin for this form of cancer, most patients who are later diagnosed with Mesothelioma have the following complaints and symptoms:

• common symptom 1: right, or left, sided chest pain ;
• common symptom 2: shortness of breath;
• common symptom 3: weight loss;
• common symptom 4: abdominal pain and swelling;