Mesothelioma is a terminal and painful lung disease with signs and symptoms that vary from patient to patient. This asbestos-related cancer usually develops in the pleura (lining of the lungs). However, it can also affect the stomach lining (peritoneal) and the heart’s lining (pericardial).

As the life expectancy of a patient with mesothelioma depends on the early detection of this cancer, it is crucial to understand signs and symptoms and how they might affect their overall health.

It would be best to contact your primary care physician after being exposed to asbestos-containing materials and substances at your home or workplace.

Furthermore, if you or a loved one were diagnosed with this terminal illness, you might be eligible for compensation if you can prove your employer’s negligence.

There are three main types of mesotheliomas—pleural, peritoneal, and cell types, with pleural being the most common.

Since every stage has different signs and symptoms, patients cannot determine the underlying cause. Why? Because most symptoms are somewhat similar to those of other lung-related diseases.

If you suspect you might be suffering from mesothelioma, read on to know more.

Pleural mesothelioma first stage symptoms

During the first stage of mesothelioma, the tumor hasn’t yet spread beyond the pleural layer and to nearby organs.

As a result, stage 1 mesothelioma is more treatable than later stages as it has a better prognosis. Typically, your doctor might suggest surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy to control cancer growth.

During stage one pleural mesothelioma, patients won’t notice any signs and symptoms or are too mild to need any medical attention.

Since pleural mesothelioma is tricky to diagnose during its initial stages, general screening, a CT scan, or X-ray are good options. However, as your tumor spreads and wraps around the affected lung’s lining, you might experience;

chronic cough
difficulty breathing
pain in your chest
shortness of breath

Since mesothelioma is terminal, an early diagnosis will increase your chances of survival by 41 to 46 percent at the most, with an average life expectancy of 24 months.

Younger patients diagnosed with stage 1 mesothelioma have a life expectancy of around five years.

Stage 2 symptoms

During the second stage, the tumor is still contained in a particular area but does spread to nearby lymph nodes and tissue.

Still, stage two mesothelioma is treatable with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Oncologists typically utilize the TNM staging system to describe second-stage mesothelioma as being on one side of the pleura. However, it might also spread to the diaphragm or other nearby organs.

Most mesothelioma patients won’t notice signs and symptoms during the first and second stages. However, second-stage symptoms are often the result of fluid buildup in the chest (pleural effusion). Some of these include;

Tightness in the chest area
Difficulty breathing
Dry, persistent cough
Mild pain in the chest
Shortness of breath

The fluid buildup in the chest(pleura) results in swelling and pressure in the lungs. Over time, the fluid will harden and lead to more painful symptoms in the chest region.

Just like first stage mesothelioma, stage two is also tricky to diagnose. Your doctor will discover it by accident when they screen you for cancer. In addition, stage two mesothelioma symptoms might also be confused for signs of other lung-related diseases such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) or pneumonia, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Furthermore, the survival rate for stage two mesothelioma patients is typically the same as storage one, with a 41 percent one-year survival chance.

As far as treatment options are concerned, your doctor might suggest surgical procedures like extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) or pleurectomy with decortication (P/D).

Mesothelioma patients who undergo surgery during the second stage can prolong their life by up to 12 to 18 months.

Stage 3 symptoms

During the third stage of mesothelioma, the tumor spreads into surrounding lymph nodes, tissue, and organs. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma during this stage aren’t eligible for life-extending surgeries.

However, they can undergo radiation therapy or chemotherapy to delay further growth. In addition, stage three treatments might also decrease pain, limit symptoms, and improve patients’ overall quality of life.

Although first and second-stage mesotheliomas are asymptomatic, stage three patients will typically experience the following symptoms:

Profuse sweating
Fever
Chronic fatigue
Abrupt weight loss
Abdominal pain
Severe chest pain
Breathing difficulties

The third stage is when individuals visit their doctor to determine the source of their symptoms.

Even though third-stage symptoms are severe, they might still be confused with other diseases such as chronic bronchitis or pneumonia.

So, it would be wise to share any previous history of asbestos exposure with your doctor to avoid a misdiagnosis.

After identifying cancer, your doctor will order chest X-rays, CT scans, or even perform a biopsy to determine the stage of the mesothelioma.

Typically, the life expectancy of a third-stage mesothelioma patient is around six to twelve months.

Stage 4 symptoms

Stage four is the last stage of mesothelioma, where the tumor invades more organs of a patient’s body. Like the third stage, surgery is useless; however, chemotherapy might improve patients’ life expectancy and quality of life.

Patients will usually experience worse symptoms during the fourth stage, which are as follows:

Night sweats
Muscle atrophy
High-grade fever
Extreme weight loss
Bloody cough
Swallowing difficulties
Chronic fatigue
Extreme chest pain
Anemia
Severe abdominal pain
Shortness of breath

Unfortunately, most patients with fourth-stage mesothelioma are diagnosed easily with visible symptoms.

Still, patients must undergo blood tests, X-rays, Biopsy, physical exams, CT scans, and other tests to confirm the disease.

Conclusion

If you experience any symptoms mentioned in this article, don’t hesitate and visit your doctor ASAP. Sure, it might be alarming at first, but it would be best to undergo testing to rule out any chance of mesothelioma.

Furthermore, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma recently and you have a history of occupational asbestos exposure, consider hiring an attorney to weigh all your legal options.

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Regarding Pleural Mesothelioma