Describe the early symptoms of mesothelioma and the progression of the symptomatology of the disease.
The early symptoms of mesothelioma can be somewhat vague and non-specific. Pleural mesothelioma patients usually present with what appears to be a viral pneumonia. This can include cough, shortness of breath or chest pain. Some of the less common symptoms are weight loss, fever and night sweats. A delay in diagnosis often occurs due to the generalized nature of the complaints and the fact that many other illnesses present in this manner.
Peritoneal mesothelioma patients generally present with abdominal pain and swelling, weight loss, peripheral edema, bowel obstruction and ascites.
As the fluid accumulation progresses, symptoms become more severe. There is increased shortness of breath, chest and/or abdominal pain, profound fatigue and a dry cough. Mesothelioma of the pericardium may result in pericardial effusion which can lead to cardiac tamponade which is a cardiac emergency. Long term survival of mesothelioma patients is generally unexpected.