Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose due to the fact that it can lie dormant in the body for up to five decades and is often undiagnosed until its later stages.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma is, shortness of breath, chest pain and persistent cough. However, some patients show no symptoms. A common sign is pleural effusion (water on the lungs).
Some symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling and intestinal obstruction. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, some other common symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, swelling of face or neck, blood clotting problems, anemia, and fever.
Also the diagnosis may be difficult due to the nonspecific nature of the symptoms of mesothelioma, symptoms that often seem far less serious diseases.
The diagnostic process usually begins with a compilation of a complete medical history and work history, including any exposure to asbestos. We performed a medical examination and if you suspect a problem ask several diagnostic tests. These typically include medical imaging tests such as X rays, CT and MRI, and biopsy procedures that test samples of fluid and tissues by the presence of cancer cells. Diagnostic tests are also used to determine how far the cancer has spread, and if progress has been made elsewhere in the body.
Tags: cases of pleural mesothelioma, diagnosis of mesothelioma, Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms, symptoms of mesothelioma
