Three Types of Mesothelioma and their Symptoms

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

The most common type of mesothelioma is called pleural mesothelioma. In fact, of the reported mesothelioma cases, approximately 75% are classified as pleural mesothelioma. This form of mesothelioma attacks the lungs and respiratory areas of the body.
Stated differently, pleural mesothelioma attacks the cells and the lining (known as the pleura) of the lungs and ribs.
There are essentially three types of mesothelioma: pleural (affects the lungs), peritoneal (affects the abdomen), and pericardial (affects the heart). Although the symptoms for all three types of mesothelioma overlap, there are, however, some differences.
Plural mesothelioma causes shortness of breath and/or chronic coughing that can easily be associated with symptoms from allergies, the flu, or from a common cold.
In many cases pleural mesothelioma is discovered by accident when patients see their doctors about cold-related or flu-related symptoms.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines and can be just as dangerous and deadly as pleural mesothelioma
Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

chronic coughing that worsens over time
shortness of breath
coughing up blood
fatigue
wheezing
lung infection
swollen lymph nodes
loss of appetite
weight loss
chest pain

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until between twenty and fifty years after exposure, which explains why so many new cases of this form of cancer are currently being reported. Many people who haven't been in contact with asbestos for decades are now showing symptoms of this dreadful disease.
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Another type of mesothelioma cancer is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for 20% of all mesothelioma cases. This type of mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines and can be just as dangerous and deadly as pleural mesothelioma.
Of the reported mesothelioma cases, approximately 75% are classified as pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:

pain or swelling in the abdomen
weight loss
bowel obstruction
blockage in the small / large intestine
anemia
fever

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is the most infrequent form of this rare asbestos-linked cancer. Individuals with this form of malignant mesothelioma have cancerous growths in tissues surrounding the heart.
In many cases pleural mesothelioma is discovered by accident when patients see their doctors about cold-related or flu-related symptoms.
Due to the rarity of this cancer, moreover, pericardial mesothelioma has not been definitely associated with asbestos exposure, although strong links between asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma have been made.
The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include the following:

chest pain
labored breathing
cough
palpitations
shortness of breath
hoarseness
difficulty swallowing
coughing up blood

For those who are exposed to asbestos or have been exposed have a risk of obtaining mesothelioma, it is important that mesothelioma is diagnosed in its early stages so that it can be treated quickly and aggressively. The earlier it is discovered, the more likely the treatment will be successful.