The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of asbestos cancer. Early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may at first seem like those associated with common ailments. Therefore, it often takes up to three months after the onset of pleural mesothelioma symptoms for people to seek medical care. Lower back pain and/or discomfort in the side of the chest are very common early pleural mesothelioma symptoms. Other pleural mesothelioma symptoms are:

• Pain in the lower back
• Fatigue
• Pain in the side of the chest
• Weight loss
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble swallowing
• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Fever
• Swelling of the face and arms
• Sweating
• Muscle weakness

If you have any of these pleural mesothelioma symptoms, and have had prior asbestos exposure, a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis can be made through a thorough physical exam, diagnostic imaging and tissue and fluid samples. Pleural mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest wall or lungs. Pleural mesothelioma may cause a fluid buildup in the chest cavity – this is called pleural effusion. As the disease advances, it can spread to lymph nodes, from one side of the chest wall lining to the other, and to other parts of the body. The spread of the disease is called metastasis.

If you or your family member have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma symptoms, or have experienced asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma lawyer may be able to provide help. Request a free legal consultation by calling this number: 877-446-9780

The peritoneum is the tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity and is responsible for covering, supporting, and secreting fluid that allows these organs to move against each other smoothly. Peritoneal mesothelioma causes fluid secretion which leads to abdominal swelling. The peritoneal mesothelioma tumor also kills the healthy cells in the abdominal cavity and encourages the growth of abnormal cells that can spread to other parts of the body.

After exposure to asbestos, peritoneal mesothelioma can take up to 30 years to produce symptoms, but the period between diagnosis and death is shortest for this type of mesothelioma cancer. Peritoneal mesothelioma is just one type of cancer caused by asbestos, and it is extremely rare.

In the early stages of the disease, when the fibers are moving into the peritoneum, there aren't any noticeable mesothelioma symptoms. However, once the inflammation begins, the first noticeable symptom is usually abdominal pain. Since abdominal pain can be associated with a number of different viruses, infections, and stomach ailments, many sufferers do not immediately seek medical attention for their symptoms.

As the disease progresses, affected individuals will notice symptoms such as abdominal swelling (due to excess fluid retention), weight loss (even though waist size may be increasing), nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, loss of appetite, and weakness. In later stages, symptoms such as bowel obstruction, fever, anemia, and new-onset hernia may present.

It is usually only after the individual has dealt with a number of these symptoms for a period of months that they finally seek medical attention.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a type of asbestos cancer that affects the lining surrounding the heart muscle. Although this form of mesothelioma is sometimes referred to as lung cancer, the cancer does not actually initially affect the lungs. Pericardial mesothelioma affects the pericardium, which is the medical term for the lining of the heart and the serous membranes of the lungs.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a disease that it is caused by exposure to asbestos. Prolonged exposure to and inhalation of asbestos dust, created during the building, maintenance, and repair of items containing asbestos, is the only known cause of pericardial mesothelioma. However, it is not exactly understood how this asbestos dust, or the microscopic asbestos fibers carried in dust become trapped in the pericardium or membranes. One theory is that the asbestos fibers are broken down in the lungs and transferred through the bloodstream to the pericardium and serous membranes. As with other types of mesothelioma, the lymphatic system has been shown to aid in the transfer of asbestos fibers from one part of the body to another. This could also explain the spread of fibers that cause pericardial mesothelioma.

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are similar to the symptoms seen with pleural mesothelioma and include shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough and extreme fatigue after light exertion or activity. Other symptoms specific to pericardial tumors and pericardial effusion include low blood pressure, fainting, heart palpitations and fluid retention, often in the legs. Although it is best to recognize and document these symptoms early in the progression of pericardial mesothelioma, most mesothelioma symptoms do not occur until the disease has progressed into the later stages.

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are not actually a direct consequence of the disease itself. Instead, symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart palpitations, are caused by the accumulation of fluid around the heart. The fluid is not a symptom of pericardial mesothelioma, but rather it is a by-product of the ever expanding cancerous tumor. As the pericardial mesothelioma grows in the lining of the heart it causes an expansion of the surrounding tissue. This expansion leads to a buildup of excess fluid that puts pressure on the heart and surrounding organs like the lungs. This pressure is actually the cause of chest pain and shortness of breath.

Since the spread of fibers is more difficult to this area of the body, pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare form of the disease. In fact, this type of asbestos cancer only accounts for 6% of all mesothelioma diagnoses.