Mesothelioma, the Cancer of mesothelium, occurs in 3 forms, namely, pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. The infection occurs due to exposure to asbestos particles for long periods and is one of the most major forms of cancer. Normally, mesothelioma symptom comes up and the infection is noted only at developed stages and this factor alone is responsible for most mesothelioma deaths. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which is affecting the mesothelium.
Only an experienced medical practitioner can detect the exact type of cancer, since the symptoms for all three types are mostly similar. Wrong diagnosis often proves fatal as it further delays the treatment. Shortness of breath, difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness, building up of extra fluid between the pleura, pain in chest, abdomen, shoulder or arm, tiredness, fever, loss of weight and appetite are the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.
Depending of the seriousness of the disease, the symptoms may vary from person to person. About 90% of the patients experience chest pain and shortness of breath, 84% suffer pleural effusion and less than 30% bear weight loss. It should also be noted that around 3% of the patients remain without any symptoms.
Pain or swelling in the abdomen, high fever, problems associated with bowel movements, weight loss etc are experienced by peritoneal mesothelioma patients. A few patients may go through additional mesothelioma symptoms where as some may not witness all the above mentioned symptoms. The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are persistent cough, pain of varying degrees, tiredness without any physical exertion etc.
Spotting the symptoms in the right perspective is step 1 towards preparing a winning treatment formula. Mesothelioma symptom typically appears after the individual is well past their prime and this is also a proscribing factor in mesothelioma cure. Once the doctor recognizes the type of cancer from the symptoms and checkups, treatment procedures start in real earnest. If the tumor is merely a localized expansion, it can be removed by surgery. But chemical treatment and radiation also may be needed to fight advanced stages of this cancer and the results are not always encouraging.