Did you know that it could take ten to fifty years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear? Many patients diagnosed with the disease are not expecting to hear that their asbestos exposure from decades ago has progressed into a fatal cancer within their bodies today.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that can affect different parts of the body. Asbestos exposure is the known cause of mesothelioma, and is responsible for 3,000 new diagnoses per year in the United States.
It is most common for mesothelioma to affect the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), but it can also appear in the abdomen, heart, and other places in the body. Since it takes so long for symptoms to appear, it is important to alert your doctor of any past asbestos exposure so they can keep a close watch on your respiratory health.
Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma (around the lungs):
- Lower back pain
- Pain in the side of the chest
- Painful coughing
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Trouble swallowing
- Swollen face or arms
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma (around the abdomen):
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss
- Swelling abdomen
- Pain in your abdomen
These and other types of mesothelioma cancers have symptoms similar to and sometimes confused with those of other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. Alerting your doctor to past asbestos exposure ensures that they will consider mesothelioma as a possibility if these symptoms arise. Mesothelioma symptoms are best treated early on in the disease, so catching them before they catch up with you is essential.
For more than 30 years, Brayton Purcell has represented clients affected by the devastating effects of asbestos-related cancer. For a free evaluation of your potential case, contact our team of attorneys at 800-598-0314.
