Describe Presenting Signs And Symptoms Of Mesothelioma
Patients with mesothelioma generally present with chest pain that is quite severe and sometimes disabling. The nature of this pain is generally described as aching and non-pleuritic in character. Patients generally also have shortness of breath. This shortness of breath may or may not be accompanied by a cough. Symptoms that are less often seen include night sweats, fever, and weight loss. If the tumor has progressed into the peritoneal cavity, patient may experience abdominal pain or swelling. Peritoneal mesothelioma may also present with nausea, bowel obstruction, anemia, or pedal edema. Some patients present with no symptoms at all. Signs on physical exam may reveal chest dullness to percussion secondary to pleural effusion. Plain radiographs will also reveal pleural effusions. Mesothelioma and its subsequent pleural effusion are most often right-sided.
