Helping Asbestos Victims Since 1974

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Kazan, McClain, Lyons, Greenwood & Harley, PLC

Jack London Market, 55 Harrison St.
Suite 400

Oakland, CA 94607

Ph / 1-866-804-2311

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma usually appear between 15 and 50 years after the first exposure to asbestos. Many mesothelioma symptoms mimic symptoms of other, less serious illnesses, delaying diagnosis even further.

Mesothelioma—usually a malignant cancer—is diagnosed in one of three forms: pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma

Primary symptoms of pleural—lung membrane—mesothelioma include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Coughing, wheezing or hoarseness
  • Fatigue or anemia
  • Blood in coughed up fluid
  • Chest pain due to accumulation of fluid around the lungs, in the pleural space

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms are shared by many other illnesses—if standard treatments for bronchitis, the flu and pneumonia do not bring relief, your doctor should take steps to rule out mesothelioma as a possible cause.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma

Primary symptoms of peritoneal—abdominal lining—mesothelioma include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • An abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
  • A mass in the abdomen
  • Bowel obstruction
  • Anemia
  • Weight loss, sometimes

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma often do not appear until the advanced stages of the illness, and even then resemble symptoms of other illnesses.

Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma

Primary symptoms of pericardial—heart membrane—mesothelioma include:

  • Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
  • Chest pain
  • Heart murmur
  • Cough
  • Difficulty breathing, even at rest or lying down
  • Fatigue
  • Fever or night sweats

Fewer than six percent of all recorded mesothelioma cases are pericardial mesothelioma. Like pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma closely resemble the symptoms of other heart conditions, usually delaying diagnosis.

Why you should contact a lawyer if diagnosed with mesothelioma

Mesothelioma always occurs because of prior asbestos exposure, commonly at the workplace. If you receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma, consult with a California asbestos attorney about seeking legal redress for your illness. An experienced California mesothelioma lawyer will be able to help you cope with the onslaught of medical bills, and may even recommend skilled doctors with experience treating your type of mesothelioma.

A longstanding, compassionate California mesothelioma law firm

Kazan, McClain, Lyons, Greenwood & Harley, PLC has almost four decades of experience representing mesothelioma patients against employers and manufacturers. Each case is handled by a small team of dedicated attorneys, paralegals and investigators, giving you the personalized attention characteristic of a small firm with all the resources of a large firm.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact Kazan, McClain, Lyons, Greenwood & Harley, PLC today. Visit us in our Oakland, California offices, call us at 1-866-804-2311, or contact us online.