Both mesothelioma and lung cancer can develop after exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma occurs in the lining around the lungs. This restricts the patient’s ability to breathe and expand their lungs. It is caused by asbestos exposure. It is significantly more deadly than other types of lung cancer. Since mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs, targeted treatments that work for lung cancer often do not work for mesothelioma. It is a rare form of cancer.
Lung cancer is among the most common types of cancer in the United States. While asbestos can cause lung cancer, smoking cigarettes or exposure to radon gas are primary causes. Targeted treatments can help to treat lung cancer by removing tumors.
Signs of Lung Cancer
The signs of lung cancer vary widely depending on the type of lung cancer and the disease’s progression. Symptoms include:
- Persistent cough: A dry cough that does not go away could be a sign of a more serious respiratory disease.
- Chest pain: If you have pain in your chest, it could be a sign of lung cancer. It could also be a sign of cardiovascular distress. Either way, it is important that you seek medical attention to address this symptom.
- Wheezing: Wheezing is a high pitched whistling sound made while you breathe. It can be a sign of other respiratory conditions.
- Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath or having difficulty catching your breath could be a sign of lung cancer. Your body increases your breathing to compensate for not being able to process as much oxygen in one breath.
- Coughing blood: Since the tissue lining the inside of the lungs is damaged, it may leak blood. The body tries to expel any liquids in the lungs by coughing. Coughing blood is a sign that the lungs are filling with it and the body is trying to clear it out.
- Frequent bronchitis or pneumonia: The lining of the lungs helps protect them from infections. Frequent infections like pneumonia or conditions that result from infections like bronchitis may mean that the lining of the lungs is compromised.
- Appetite loss: Cancers of all types tend to affect a person’s appetite. A sudden and persistent loss of appetite may be an early sign of cancer.
- Weight loss: Alongside the loss of appetite, losing weight may also be a sign of lung cancer.
- Headaches: Headaches may be a sign that cancer is spreading to the brain. Persistent headaches should be investigated by a trained medical professional.
- Bone pain: Bone pain may be a sign that the cancer is spreading to other parts of the body.
- Blood clots: Blood clots are a way of capturing and removing foreign invaders from the body. The human body may form blood clots to try to capture and expel cancer cells.
These are just a few of the common symptoms of lung cancer. If you have difficulty breathing or pain in your chest, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Only a doctor can diagnose you with lung cancer.
Signs of Mesothelioma
The signs of mesothelioma are also signs of other respiratory diseases. Many doctors may diagnose mesothelioma by accident while performing routine tests to rule out other illnesses. Some mesothelioma symptoms to be aware of include:
- Dry cough
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Muscle weakness
- Night sweats
- Pleural effusion
- Fatigue
Mesothelioma is a serious form of cancer that can be difficult to detect. Many mesothelioma signs emerge only as the disease progresses, which impacts a patient’s prognosis. There are other signs of mesothelioma that your doctor may notice during blood tests and examinations.
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Outcomes
The outcomes for mesothelioma are more negative than other forms of lung cancer. Researchers estimate that the 10-year survival rate for those diagnosed with mesothelioma is around 4%. For lung cancer, it is 10%. While there are many other contributing factors, such as the stage when the cancer was diagnosed, the data also shows that mesothelioma tends to be a more difficult form of cancer to treat.
Risk Factors
There are some notable risk factors for developing lung cancer or mesothelioma. One common risk factor is asbestos exposure. You have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma from radiation exposure or due to genetics. You have an increased risk of developing lung cancer if you are exposed to radon gas, second-hand smoke, or other carcinogens.
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Mesothelioma is most often caused by asbestos exposure. If you have lung cancer or mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, you could have options for legal recourse and a financial award. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 307-3113 for a free consultation with a member of our team.
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