Why Is Mesothelioma So Deadly?

Nearly 2,000,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer this year, according to estimates by the American Cancer Society – and of those, only about 3,000 patients will be diagnosed with mesothelioma, making it a rare cancer in this country. However, even though it is rare, mesothelioma is a very deadly form of cancer, with only 40% of those with it expected to live one year after diagnosis. The reason mesothelioma is so deadly is that it spreads very aggressively on the outer lining of internal organs – usually the lungs.

Causes of mesothelioma

While some causes of mesothelioma may be unknown, we do know that exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma. Though this cancer is aggressive, it doesn’t develop immediately after exposure to asbestos. Instead, it most often takes decades, between 20 and 50 years, to begin to develop. Because it usually spreads without symptoms in its early stages, mesothelioma is usually quite advanced by the time it is diagnosed.

Though mesothelioma is most often found on the lungs – a type known as pleural mesothelioma – it is also found on the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), heart(pericardial mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma).

Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma

Because mesothelioma is so deadly, it’s important to watch for signs and symptoms, especially if you’ve ever been exposed to asbestos. These signs and symptoms vary depending on the type of mesothelioma:

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms (Lung)

·       Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

·       Chest or lower back pain

·       Wheezing or coughing

·       Loss of appetite or trouble swallowing

·       Unexplained weight loss

·       Hoarseness

·       Fatigue or muscle weakness

·       Fever

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms (Abdomen)

·       Pain, fluid buildup or swelling in the abdomen

·       Unexplained weight loss

·       Constipation and other digestive issues

·       Nausea and vomiting

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms (Heart)

·       Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

·       Chest pain

·       Heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat or hurt  murmurs

Testicular Mesothelioma Symptoms (Testicles)

·       Lump or fluid in the scrotum (hydrocele)

·       Pain or swelling of the testicles

Because many of these signs and symptoms are associated with common illnesses or conditions, many patients put off seeing their doctors when symptoms are first noticeable. For this reason, developing a good, long-term relationship with a primary care physician and having regular checkups is extremely important, especially for those who have been exposed to asbestos.

When to seek help

If you or your doctor suspect your symptoms may be due to mesothelioma, your doctor may perform a CT scan or X-ray of the chest or abdomen and, if needed, a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis.

If you’ve already received a diagnosis of mesothelioma and experience sudden, severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, come to Laredo Emergency Room right away. We can help treat your symptoms and help coordinate the best next steps for your care.