Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma has a poor prognosis, especially since by the time the doctor has determined a patient has mesothelioma, the cancer has progressed greatly. The symptoms of mesothelioma are common with other types of health conditions. Unless the doctor is aware that someone was exposed to asbestos, he or she will not necessarily be looking for mesothelioma. Being exposed to asbestos is the only known manner of contracting this cancer.

Symptoms of mesothelioma will vary based on the type of mesothelioma, the progression of the cancer, the location of the tumor, the health status of the patient, and so on. A person can experience symptoms such as back aches and muscles aches. Their breathing can be interrupted or the patient can experience shortness of breath in general. Other symptoms could be a bad cough that persists for a prolonged period, chest pain, weight loss, or general fatigue. Again, unless the doctor is aware there has been exposure to asbestos, these symptoms can be a result of numerous health conditions, which may not lead to a clear diagnosis.