Key Takeaways
- Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that forms in the mesothelium — the thin tissue lining that covers and protects the body’s internal organs. About 3,000 people are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
- Common symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent cough, weight loss, fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite. Because these mimic other conditions, mesothelioma is frequently misdiagnosed or diagnosed late.
- The typical path to diagnosis involves five steps: reporting symptoms to a primary care doctor, physical examination, chest X-ray, advanced imaging (CT scan or MRI), and tissue biopsy — which is the only way to definitively confirm the diagnosis.
- Mesothelioma tumors can cause fluid buildup in the lungs (pleural effusion) through inflammation, blocked lymph nodes, tumor growth, and increased fluid production.
- Understanding mesothelioma medical information empowers patients and families to seek earlier diagnoses, explore treatment options, and pursue compensation for their diagnosis.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, whose only known cause is exposure to asbestos, and affects approximately 3,000 people per year in the United States. It is important to know mesothelioma medical information to understand steps to a diagnosis and how a diagnosis is made.
Mesothelioma Medical – Mesothelium
In medical terms, mesothelioma is usually defined as a cancer that forms in the thin tissue that lines many of the body’s internal organs, called the mesothelium. The mesothelium functions as a protection of internal structure in the body and aids in breathing and movement.
The steps to a mesothelioma diagnosis are often nuanced and not always the same. Due to the rarity of the cancer, warning signs are often missed or misunderstood as another condition, such as asthma. In a lot of instances, people may go undiagnosed for a long time. This is normal. However, the longer the diagnosis takes, in most instances, the less treatment options are available.
Common symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Weight loss
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
When it comes to mesothelioma, people usually start to begin experiencing a lot of shortness of breath. For example, they may get winded easily or have trouble breathing in general. If you worked around asbestos, shortness of breath may be caused by asbestos fibers being stuck in your lungs. Asbestos fibers can get stuck in other places in the body; however, the most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which begins in the lining of the lungs.
5 Steps to a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Knowing mesothelioma medical information may aid victims of mesothelioma in finding out more about their diagnosis and what treatment options are available to them.
Step 1: Normally, after experiencing shortness of breath, patients talk to their primary care physician about their symptoms.
Step 2: This would typically be followed by a physical examination.
Step 3: Next, an X-ray would normally be performed to rule out potential other diseases. This X-ray may show something suspicious or concerning in the lungs, such as an abnormal mass. Typically, with mesothelioma, there would be abnormalities on one lung.
Step 4: Next, imaging tests would be done, such as an MRI or a CT scan that would be able to find fluid in the lungs.
Mesothelioma can cause fluid in the lungs for a multitude of reasons. One reason is due to inflammation. Mesothelioma tumors can cause the pleura to be inflamed, which can then lead to the leaking of blood vessels, allowing fluid to enter the pleural cavity. Another reason is due to tumor growth itself. Tumors can block lymph nodes and blood vessels, leading to a buildup of fluid in the pleural cavity. Mesothelioma tumors can also spread to distant lymph nodes, leading to slower lymphatic drainage, causing fluid buildup. Lastly, mesothelioma itself can increase the production of pleural fluid.
Step 5: The remaining step to a mesothelioma diagnosis would be to take a tissue biopsy to determine that it is in fact mesothelioma. Currently, the only way to effectively diagnose mesothelioma is through a biopsy.
Empower Your Health Journey
Knowing the symptoms of mesothelioma and mesothelioma medical information in general can empower mesothelioma victims to take control of their health journey as much as possible. It is understandably extremely difficult to cope with such a diagnosis. Knowing more about the disease is helpful for the patient and their loved ones.
It is also useful to know that you are eligible for compensation for your mesothelioma diagnosis. This compensation can help pay for medical expenses, which can be very costly, as there are normally different combinations of treatments that are used.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, please contact us for help navigating pursuing compensation for your diagnosis. We have almost 60 years of combined experience handling mesothelioma cases in Pennsylvania, and we would like to help you. For more information, call us at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that forms in the mesothelium — the thin tissue that lines many of the body’s internal organs. The mesothelium protects internal structures and aids in breathing and movement. The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Approximately 3,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath — often the earliest and most noticeable symptom
- Persistent cough
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
These symptoms overlap with many other respiratory conditions, which is why mesothelioma is frequently missed or misdiagnosed as asthma, pneumonia, or other lung diseases. If you have a history of asbestos exposure and are experiencing these symptoms, tell your doctor about your exposure history.
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically follows five steps:
- Step 1 — Patient reports symptoms (particularly shortness of breath) to their primary care physician
- Step 2 — Physical examination
- Step 3 — Chest X-ray to rule out other conditions and check for abnormalities
- Step 4 — Advanced imaging (CT scan or MRI) to identify fluid or masses in the lungs
- Step 5 — Tissue biopsy to definitively confirm the diagnosis
A biopsy is currently the only way to confirm mesothelioma with certainty.
Why does mesothelioma cause fluid in the lungs?
Mesothelioma can cause fluid buildup in the lungs (pleural effusion) through several mechanisms:
- Inflammation — tumors inflame the pleura, causing blood vessels to leak fluid into the pleural cavity
- Blocked drainage — tumors can block lymph nodes and blood vessels, preventing normal fluid drainage
- Distant lymph node spread — cancer spreading to distant lymph nodes slows lymphatic drainage
- Increased fluid production — the cancer itself can increase pleural fluid production
What should I do if I’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, understanding your diagnosis, treatment options, and legal rights is essential. You may be eligible for compensation to help cover medical expenses and other costs. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
