Mesothelioma Lawyers

Warning signs of mesothelioma

Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma in the lung and chest cavity:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Cough or change in cough pattern
• Weight loss
• Pain under the rib cage
• Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs
• Difficulty swallowing
• Prolonged hoarseness

Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma in the abdomen:

• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Lumps in the abdomen
• Bowel obstruction
• Blood clotting abnormalities
• Anemia
• Fever

Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma surrounding the heart:

• A constant cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Palpitations

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and deadly cancer of the mesothelium, the membrane that covers and protects most of the body's internal organs. Pleural mesothelioma, which accounts for most cases of the disease, is cancer of the membrane that surrounds the lung and the lining of the chest cavity. Sometimes, mesothelioma can affect the peritoneum, or lining of the abdomen. Rarely, it can affect the pericardium, the membrane that covers the heart.

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, and can take between roughly 15-50 years to develop after exposure, with most cases occurring 30-50 years after exposure.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other diseases. This can make it hard to detect, so it is very important to tell your doctor if you've been exposed to asbestos.