Mesotheleomia Symptoms & Diagnosis
Mesotheleomia is so dangerous, in part, because the symptoms can sneak up on you. Diagnosis is really hard in some cases, as the mesotheleomia tumors can look like other problems. Here are some FAQs when it comes to mesotheleomia symptoms and dianosis:
Am I at risk for mesotheleomia, even though I feel fine?
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, even for a short amount of time, the answer to that question is yes. Not everyone has symptoms of mesotheleomia right away. When you’re near asbestos, your throat make feel scratchy, but once that clears up, you may not have any other indication that there’s a problem from several years. Some patients have gone over two decades without symptoms before tragically dieing from cancer.
Mesotheleomia doesn’t have strong symptoms right away because it doesn’t develop right away. At first, the presence of asbestos cells is just really a nuisance in the body than a real problem. However, over time, those cells lead to scar tissue and mutations, which is where the real problems come into play. It could take years to get to that point, so yes, you are at risk for developing mesotheleomia, even if you feel fine.
How is mesotheleomia diagnosed?
If you’re at risk for mesotheleomia, you should go through a screening process with your doctor to ensure that you aren’t developing this form of cancer. Some people are, however, worried about what this process will entail. The good news is that it is painless and easy!
First, you’ll be given a physical exam and answer questions about your asbestos exposure. Next, the doctor will take an x-ray of your chest and do a lung functioning test. The lung function test is really simple – you just take a deep breath and blow into a tub as hard and long as you can. If anything seems suspicious, the doctor may order a CT scan or MRI, and if there is fluid in your lungs, they’ll run tests to figure out what proteins are found in the fluid. From there, a positive or negative diagnosis can be made.
What symptoms will I experience if I don’t catch mesotheleomia in its early stages?
As mesotheleomia advances, symptoms may become noticeable. It is at this point that most people see a doctor, but by the time these symptoms show up, the cancer may already have spread to other part of the body, making it hard to treat. The types of symptoms you’ll experience depend on the type of mesotheleomia you have.
The most common type of mesotheleomia is pleural, which attacks the lining of your lungs (the pleura). As the tumors grow, some of the main symptoms you may experience include chest pain, wheezing coughs, fatigue, and shortness of breath. As it advances, you may cough blood, be too tired or winded to do even small tasks, and have difficulty swallowing or breathing, even when sitting down. Mesotheleomia that affects the heart usually has similar symptoms.
With peritoneal mesotheleomia, the tumors are found in the abdominal linings instead. This happens when you swallow asbestos fibers instead of breathing them into your lungs. Some symptoms of peritoneal mesotheleomia include weight loss, pain in the abdomen, digestive problems, and nausea.
What problems will occur if the mesotheleomia tumors continue to grow?
By the time you’re showing any symptoms at all, the mesotheleomia is probably extremely advanced. As things worsen, however, more symptoms may show up. These include the following: jaundice, hard masses in the abdomen, inability to eat, and extreme fatigue. Eventually, mesotheleomia may cause a host of other serious problems like low blood sugar, blood clots, a collapsed lunch, swelling of the neck and face, fluid build up in the abdomen, and sever internal bleeding.
Is there any hope?
There is always hope. No matter what time frame your doctors give you as far as prognosis goes, by receiving treatment and controlling symptoms, you can live a full and healthy life. There are patients today who have lived with mesotheleomia for decades, even after being told that they only had a few months to life. Treat the cancer as early as possible and never ignore your symptoms if you want the best chance of survival.
