Discuss the signs, symptoms, and diagnoses of malignant mesothelioma.
The early symptoms of mesothelioma resemble common, minor illnesses. Symptoms of mesothelioma generally appear 2 to 3 months before a diagnosis is made. In about 25% of cases, symptoms may have appeared for six months before a diagnosis is made.
In 50% of patients, pleural mesothelioma presents with hyperesthesia in the low back and at the side of the thorax. The hyperesthesia may be accompanied with difficult respiration. Patients may also report difficulty while swallowing, coughing, elevated temperature, tiredness and loss of weight.
Peritoneal mesothelioma presents with abdominal hyperesthesia, vomiting, nausea and loss of weight.
If a patient exhibits the symptoms of mesothelioma, and also has the risk factors, imaging test will be performed to determine the diagnosis.
An x-ray is generally the first test performed as it will show an irregularity which would suggest the presence of a mesothelioma. If a mesothelioma is suspected, either a computed tomography (CT) scan, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will be performed to establish the size, extent, and location of the mesothelioma.