Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is primarily caused by exposure to certain types of asbestos, a material once used in building construction. Symptoms of mesothelioma do not appear immediately after being exposed, taking about 25 to 50 years after the initial exposure to develop. It is a very slow progressing disease that usually strikes middle-age to senior adults long after their exposure to asbestos.
Like other types of cancer, sometimes the disease is asymptomatic for a long time, meaning there are no symptoms.Mesothelioma Symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary greatly from person to person, and the type of mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial) affects what types of symptoms a person may experience.
Pleural mesothelioma affects the pleura -- the lining of the lungs. It is the most common type of mesothelioma. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
* persistant cough
* shortness of breath
* chest pain
* wheezing
In people with mesothelioma, chest x-rays may reveal pleural effusion, a condition where fluid begins to accumulate in the sac containing the lungs. Blood clots can occur as well, but aren't very common.
No comments:
Post a Comment