Mesothelioma Information

Mesothelioma symptoms can take up to forty years to become fully developed.  Unfortunately symptoms may be vague and so even experienced doctors may have a hard time making a quick and conclusive diagnosis of mesothelioma.  Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis.

Mesothelioma attacks a serous membrane that lines and protects the body's largest cavities called the mesothelium.  Mesothelioma is not a lung cancer, even though the disease can affect the lungs.  Common locations where mesothelioma can develop are the pleural (lung cavity) and peritoneal (abdominal cavity) regions of the mesothelium; in rare cases the disease can affect the pericardial region which is also called the heart sac.

Usually, difficulty in breathing (dyspnea) and a lingering cough lead patients to seeing a doctor for an evaluation.  Dyspnea occurs because tumors in the pleural lining make it difficult for the lungs to expand; these pleural tumors can spread to the chest wall, causing severe chest pain.  The spread of cancerous cells can take a toll on the body, causing weakness and extreme fatigue in mesothelioma sufferers.  Changes in the body's ability to absorb nutrients because of the cancer spreading into the abdomen, will lead to weight loss in patients.

Doctors looks for signs and symptoms.  A sign is something the doctor can independently verify like high blood pressure or a swollen lymph node.  A symptom is something the patient reports to the doctor like pain or nausea but that the doctor can't verify by doing tests.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Some patients notice that their voice becomes hoarse and they develop a persistent cough that does not go away.  All of the symptoms stem from a build-up of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity, also known as pleural effusion.  The fluid can also thicken, interfering with the lungs' ability to expand and contract.  Both developments can make breathing laborious and difficult for pleural mesothelioma patients.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma usually include unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain caused by a build-up of fluid within the peritoneum that causes abdominal swelling.  Chest pain and difficulty in breathing are a result of tumors that press upwards against the abdominal wall.  Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include persistent coughing and shortness of breath.

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma

The rarest form of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma, which develops in the lining surrounding the heart.  Tumors grow in the tissue that surrounds the heart and can spread to other organs.  Pericardial mesothelioma sufferers may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent coughing and heart palpitations.  A patient may experience some of all of these syptoms as the disease progresses.

What happens if the doctor suspects mesothelioma?

The doctor will want to run some diagnostic tests.  For a further discussion of diagnosis see out statement.

Legal Questions

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) and think it may be caused by toxic exposure to organic solvents like benzene, and you have legal questions or require legal assistance, contact Paul & Hanley LLP.

Our firm has an outstanding track record of success in toxic tort litigation cases across the country, and our lawyers are known for their honesty, integrity and compassion.  We've built our reputation on toxic tort litigation representing individuals diagnosed with NHL, mesothelioma and other serious diseases with dignity and respect.

We handle a select number of cases at a time and represent workers and families with the extra special attention required for the best possible outcome in each case. We understand your case is unique, so we take the time to get to know you and your family. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation. We'll discuss your specific case and give you honest answers to your important questions. Our toll free telephone number is 800 933-2244. We look forward to helping you.