Mesothelioma Disease, Mesothelioma Types

Pleural effusion is one of the most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. As described above, fluid builds up between the chest wall and lungs.  While a small amount of fluid is normal, too much fluid results in an effusion.Pleural effusions have two categories:

   1. Transudates (clear fluid forming because of an imbalance between normal production and removal of fluid)
   2. Exudates (a disease of the pleura, common to mesothelioma)

To determine which type of effusion is present, a needle or catheter is used to extract a sample.  Diagnosis can also be accomplished with a chest x-ray, CT scans or ultrasound.

Pleural effusions can be caused by other conditions, such as heart failure or infection. Therefore, the diagnostic process is important to determine the exact cause of the pleural effusion.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:

     
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

Common symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include:

   
If you have any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor to determine the cause. Always let your doctor know if you have been exposed to asbestos to facilitate the correct diagnosis.