Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of Mesothelioma may not appear until 25 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Roughly 15 percent of Mesothelioma cases are discovered in the early stages before cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Survival rate within 5 years from the time of diagnosis is 50 percent, provided there is no cancer found in the lymph nodes at the time of surgery. However, in most cases the cancer has spread without detection by current medical tests. Factoring in all stages of Mesothelioma, the 5-year survival rate is only about 14 percent.

There are many times when the early diagnosis of Mesothelioma is by accident during tests for other unrelated medical conditions. Although symptoms from Mesothelioma do not normally occur until cancer has spread too far to be cured, there have been occurrences when symptoms occur in some patients early.

Prompt attention to symptoms can result in early diagnosis and treatment can result in a cure for some patients. However, for others this can improve their chances of treatment extending their life, as well as relief of some of the symptoms.

Here is a list of common symptoms of mesothelioma :

• Persistent Cough
• Chest pains, which are often aggravated by breathing deep.
• Hoarseness of the voice.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Blood in the sputum (spit or phlegm) or rust-colored sputum.
• Shortness of breath. Fever without signs of the Influenza (Flu) or Pneumonia.
• Recurring cases of Bronchitis and Pneumonia.
• Wheezing when breathing.

Here is a list of Symptoms from Spreading to Distant Organs

• Bone pain
• Neurological Changes: Weakness of numbness of limbs, dizziness
• Jaundice: Yellow coloring of the skin or eyes
• Masses at the surface of the body in the lymph nodes around the neck or collarbone