What Symptoms Indicate Metastatic Spread?
Not all mesothelioma symptoms are confined to the site where the cancer originates. The symptoms that are most closely related to local invasion include:
Localized spread to the lymph nodes is most common and occurs in approximately 44% percent of cases.
- Dysphagia (coughing/spitting up blood)
- Horner's syndrome (or other neurological syndromes)
- Laryngeal nerve palsy
- Nerve involvement of the arm
Paraplegia can occur if the cancer spreads to the spinal canal. Metastatic mesothelioma can also obstruct the superior vena cava. Hypoglycemia has also been reported as a clinical feature of invasive mesothelioma, yet this primarily occurs in patients with rare localized fibrous mesothelioma. Clubbing of the fingers and hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA) are even rarer but occur in a handful of malignant mesothelioma cases, primarily when asbestosis is also present.
When do Mesothelioma Symptoms Emerge?
Typically, mesothelioma patients notice the first symptoms of their disease 30 to 50 years after they were first exposed to asbestos. This latency period is not significantly different between varying subtypes of mesothelioma, but some studies have noted a shorter latency period for peritoneal mesothelioma (20 to 30 years) than pleural mesothelioma. However, in one 2011 study of 191 malignant mesothelioma cases, women were found to have a longer latency period than men:
A larger retrospective study of 1,690 mesothelioma patients found the median latency period to be 32 years, while an even larger 2006 Italian study of 5,173 mesothelioma patients reported an average latency of 43.6 years. Once symptoms finally emerge, they are typically mild. Many patients may not pay attention to them when they first arise, only seeking a medical consultation when symptoms intensify. Additionally, a high percentage of mesothelioma patients have other respiratory diseases and the onset of mesothelioma is often misinterpreted as a progression of an existing condition such as COPD.
Because of the long latency period, symptoms are not always addressed right away. One study found that the interval between the first presentation of symptoms and referral to appropriate treatment was as high as 39 months.
What to Do if You Have Mesothelioma Symptoms
Many patients who experience these symptoms are unaware that they may be indicative of mesothelioma. If you exhibit any of these symptoms, discussing your health history and any past asbestos exposure with a doctor can help identify or rule out mesothelioma.
Source : http://www.asbestos.com
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