Late stage mesothelioma symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms oftens develop gradually, and such non significant symptoms in early stage of disease often usually mislead physicians from the actual diagnosis. For example coughing, difficulty breathing and chest pain in pleural mesothelioma is often diagnosed as lung infections such as pneumonia. In general, the symptoms are more pronounced when the cancer is very advanced and the treatment less effective.

In advanced pleural mesothelioma, pain in the chest and under the rib cage are more marked, the back pain may be present. Cough may be pronounced along with bloody sputum. Hoarseness and swelling of the face and arms may be occur in case of lymphatic obstruction. Patients may also experience muscle weakness and sensory loss. In advanced peritoneal mesothelioma, abdominal pain symptoms are more pronounced. The symptoms include a swelling or lump in the abdomen, distension of the abdomen by an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, abdominal pain due to intestinal obstruction, nausea and vomiting, constipation and loss of appetite. If there is a lot of fluid in abdominal cavity, the breathing may become difficult and the feet can be swelling. In advanced pericardial mesothelioma, cough, worsening breathlessness, palpitations and chest pains will be present.

Generally, any type of cancer will cause nonspecific systemic symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite and may be fever. Mesothelioma patient will also experience these symptoms. Patients with advanced mesothelioma are usually offered palliative treatment to reduce discomfort from their symptoms. Pleural or abdominal fluid accumulation can be released. Also ,surgery or radiotherapy can be used to reduce some symptoms of the disease. Radiation therapy are effective to relieve pain. New clinical trials are researching for the best symptomatic relief for patients with advanced malignant mesothelioma.