Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly form of cancer that most often starts developing in the lining of the lungs.
It can also affect the linings of the abdomen, heart, and many other organs.
In some cases, mesothelioma causes fluid to build up around and inside a person’s chest cavity.
Early symptoms of mesothelioma are often mistaken for other, less serious illnesses.
This is because the symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, are also common to other conditions.
As a result, it can take an average of seven years for a diagnosis to be made.
An important sign that something might be wrong is unexplained weight loss or an unexplained cough lasting more than three weeks.
Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, there are treatment options available that can help extend a patient's life.
Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
The disease is typically caused by exposure to asbestos and can take anywhere from 7-10 years to show symptoms.
If left untreated, it can lead to death within 2-3 months of diagnosis and cannot be cured with surgery or chemotherapy.
It’s important to know the warning signs for this condition in order to seek treatment early on before the condition worsens.
Symptoms include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and pressure, weight loss, fatigue and pain in joints or muscles.