If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos, you may qualify to file or join an asbestos mesothelioma class action lawsuit.

What are the Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma in the chest may also be referred to as pleural mesothelioma or lung cancer mesothelioma. The most common issues associated with this condition include cough, hoarseness, swelling of the arms and face, pain in the lower back or side of the chest and trouble swallowing.

There are many different types of mesothelioma, including peritoneal mesothelioma, general mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma.

What are Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

One of the challenges of getting a mesothelioma diagnosis is that many of the symptoms are commonly associated with other medical issues.

This may lead to a misdiagnosis or a delay in discovering the true cause of the symptoms. As mesothelioma is often not diagnosed for decades, any delay in treatment may allow the condition to progress. When mesothelioma is caught in the early stages, it may be more treatable. However, most people with the disease are not diagnosed until the later stages. Once the cancer has spread to multiple areas of the body, patients may require multiple courses of action including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery in order to manage further spread of the condition.

Being aware of mesothelioma’s symptoms may help you take notice should you begin to exhibit any of the common signs. The most frequently reported symptoms by patients with general mesothelioma include loss of appetite, excessive sweating, fatigue, blood clots, weight loss and fever.

Many patients also experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, changes to heart rhythm, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or hoarseness. In some cases, patients may cough up blood or phlegm, or develop blood clots. If the condition has begun to spread to other areas of the body, swelling in the abdomen, neck, face, or extremities may occur. Bowel obstructions or constipation are another common side effect, as is pain in the lower back or the side.

All of these symptoms should be taken seriously and reported to a medical professional immediately.

Mesothelioma symptoms typically begin between 20 years to 50 years after the initial exposure to the substance that causes lung cancer mesothelioma. This long lag time between exposure and the development of symptoms can make it difficult to determine how the condition was contracted.

Are There Tests for Malignant Mesothelioma?

Many people first learn of their mesothelioma diagnosis when visiting a health care provider to seek help for their symptoms. Tests must be done to confirm the cause of the underlying symptoms. A medical history and physical exam is often the first attempt by a doctor to understand whether or not you may have mesothelioma.

According to the American Cancer Society, mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose, and more tests will be needed to confirm if you have the disease based on your physical exam. These tests may include blood tests, imaging tests, or biopsies.

How Will My Doctor Know the Extent of the Cancer?

After initial testing confirms a mesothelioma diagnosis, your doctor may request additional information to understand whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of your body, such as the lymph nodes. The extent of the cancer’s spread could be identified in MRIs, PET scans, or CT Scans of the abdomen and chest. Your doctor will base the determination of appropriate tests on your individual situation.

What Kinds of Treatment are Available for Mesothelioma?

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location and stage of the cancer. Mesothelioma is a very aggressive disease and most people will never recover fully from it, mostly because it’s not diagnosed until the cancer is very advanced.

Your doctor may choose to instead work to make you more comfortable while trying to control the cancer. When mesothelioma is diagnosed at an early stage, its treatment may involve surgery.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma may be caused by exposure to asbestos, a fibrous mineral often mined in close proximity to talc, that’s useful due to its strength and heat resistance. Though asbestos is used in many construction materials, including tiles, textiles, roofing, and insulation, the material can be extremely hazardous to human health when it degrades. When asbestos products break or crumble, tiny particles are released into the air where they are ingested or inhaled.

These particles settle in the lungs and mesothelium, where they cause irritation and inflammation. After years or decades, this inflammation may turn into lung cancer mesothelioma. Unfortunately, because it takes so long for mesothelioma to develop following asbestos exposure, most people do not realize they have been harmed by the material until the condition has already progressed.

Although those who work in close proximity to asbestos are generally required to take safety precautions, many who have been exposed may not be aware of the health risks associated with asbestos until it’s too late.

People who work in fields including mining, construction, mechanics, railroads, or electrical work may be aware of the potential risks of contact with asbestos, but the mineral has also been found in some talc-based products such as baby powder or cosmetics. Since these are common household products, many unsuspecting consumers may have unknowingly inhaled or ingested the hazardous substance.

Many lung cancer mesothelioma patients have been exposed to asbestos through their line of work, but it is also possible to come into contact with the substance in a variety of other ways. The use of asbestos in building materials is now regulated, however many old buildings — schools, offices and apartments — still contain asbestos in floor or ceiling tiles, textiles, roofing, or insulation.

If materials containing asbestos are crumbling or broken, microscopic particles may be easily inhaled. People who go to school, work, or live in these buildings may be unknowingly exposed to the substance.

Additionally, family members of people working in fields where they come into contact with asbestos may also be at risk. It is very important for workers to change clothes and shoes before coming home. Some workers may also want to shower between work and home. Asbestos fibers easily stick to skin, hair, clothes, and shoes, so workers may unknowingly bring these dangerous particles home where they may be inhaled by spouses or children.

Unfortunately, second-hand exposure is just as dangerous as first-hand exposure. In a study of nearly 100 women diagnosed with asbestos-related conditions, 64% of them came into contact with asbestos through second-hand exposure. Even washing work clothes that have been contaminated with asbestos may be dangerous. It is recommended that workers wash any protective clothing that may have asbestos fibers on it separately from uncontaminated clothing.

When Should I See a Doctor for Suspected Mesothelioma?

If you have any signs or symptoms that are cause for concern, you should report these to your doctor immediately.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of lung cancer mesothelioma are not necessarily specific to this disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, when you are experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma consistently, you need to report your concerns to your doctor so that your physician can better understand which diagnostic test might be most appropriate for you.

You might also be able to file a lawsuit if your employer is responsible for your exposure to asbestos and your development of lung cancer mesothelioma.