If you or a loved one experienced workplace exposure to asbestos, you should know the signs of mesothelioma. This disease causes cancerous tumors in the lining of the heart, lungs or abdomen.
Understanding the symptoms of mesothelioma can ensure you will receive the treatment you need to remain comfortable if you become ill.
General symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms vary depending on the affected part of the body. However, people with this disease may experience general symptoms that include loss of appetite, diagnosis of blood clots, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, excessive sweating and fever. See a doctor right away if you or a loved one develops these health problems. These symptoms do not surface for at least a decade after asbestos exposure and in some cases the disease may take up to 50 years to become detectable.
Specific mesothelioma symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type, affecting the lining of the lungs. Symptoms may include:
- Swelling in the arms and face
- Hoarse voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Lower back or chest pain
If mesothelioma affects the stomach lining (peritoneal mesothelioma), you or your family member may develop constipation, vomiting, nausea, abdominal swelling and stomach pain. Pericardial mesothelioma causes tumors on the lining of the heart. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, heart murmur, irregular heart rhythm and chest pain.
When mesothelioma results from workplace asbestos exposure, you may qualify for legal damages. California residents have one year to file a lawsuit after a mesothelioma diagnosis. If your loved one died from mesothelioma, you can file a lawsuit within one year of his or her death.