Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma most often occurs due to asbestos exposure. It is cancer of the mesothelium, a membrane that protects the body’s internal organs. This cancer is most prevalent in the lining of the lungs. Mesothelioma has a long latency period as seen by the fact that people exposed to asbestos prior to 1970 are now being diagnosed with the disease. There are four types of mesothelioma: pleural, peritoneal, pericardial and testicular. Each type of mesothelioma has its own set of symptoms.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the disease, and it develops in the lining of the lungs, or the pleura. It is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Over time the asbestos fibers may cause the lungs to scar and eventually form tumors that reduce lung capacity. Pleural effusion, or build-up of fluid, places pressure on the lungs and prevents normal breathing. Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include coughing up blood, difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, painful breathing, persistent dry cough, persistent chest pain, fatigue, night sweats or fever, unexplained weight loss and the development of lumps under the chest skin.

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdomen after decades of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include pain or swelling of the abdomen, diarrhea or constipation, night sweats or fever, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, anemia, unexplained weight loss and the development of lumps under the abdominal skin.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of the disease. This type of mesothelioma develops in the pericardium, a protective membrane surrounding the heart. Studies indicate that the prognosis for pericardial mesothelioma is worse than it is for peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma. As much as 60 percent of patients have died within six months of being diagnosed. The symptoms are similar to those of heart disease, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations, murmurs, chest pain, difficulty breathing at rest or when lying down, cough, fatigue and night sweats or fever.

Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of this cancer. It develops in the protective membrane surrounding the testicle. Only 100 cases of this disease have been reported and very little is known of how the disease develops. Thus, due to its rarity, there does not exist an identifiable set of symptoms. Some of the symptoms seen in the few cases reported include testicular lumps and swelling of the scrotum.

A person should see a doctor immediately if he has been exposed to asbestos in the past, experiences mesothelioma symptoms and suspects that he has developed this type of cancer. To confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma, a doctor will perform a medical history, a physical exam and a series of diagnostic tests.