Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis
After All These Years, There's No Time to Lose
Mesothelioma and Asbestosis Lawyers
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer. It typically takes 25 to 40 years to develop, then rapidly invades the body. If you or your aging spouse or parent have any of the symptoms listed below, an accurate diagnosis is critical to life-extending medical intervention.
The North Carolina law firm of Wallace & Graham has helped clients throughout the United States connect with the right doctors to verify the illness and start treatments that can slow the progression and alleviate the pain. Call 1-800-849-5291 today for a free consultation if you suspect symptoms of malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis or asbestos-related lung cancer.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Unfortunately, the common symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other illnesses:
- Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
- Chest pain or abdominal pain
- Lumps or swelling in the abdomen
- Irregular heartbeat
- Chronic fatigue
- Sudden weight loss
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bowel irregularities or pain
- Forgetfulness/short-term memory loss
Mesothelioma in later stages is commonly diagnosed from pleural effusion, fluid in the chest cavity. Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or pleural plaques (fibrous patches on the pleura encasing the lungs) are also strong markers for mesothelioma or symptoms of other asbestos cancer.
Asbestosis Symptoms
Asbestosis is disabling by itself, and can be a precursor to mesothelioma or lung cancer, especially for people with a history of smoking. Many asbestosis symptoms are similar to asthma or emphysema:
- Shortness of breath from any exertion
- Labored breathing at rest
- Chest pain or painful breaths
- Coughing or wheezing
- Chronic fatigue
- Finger clubbing (swollen or distorted fingertips)
Guiding You to Fast, Accurate Diagnosis
Your or your loved should see a family physician or radiologist if you have not already done so. Tell the doctor of any past exposure to asbestos — no matter how long ago, no matter how brief.
The next step is critical. If your doctor suspects asbestos disease, it needs to be confirmed by a qualified specialist. If the doctor says it's nothing, a delayed diagnosis can limit later treatment options and rob the victim of precious months of life.
Law partners Bill Graham and Mona Lisa Wallace have practiced for a nearly 40 years combined in mesothelioma and asbestos litigation. They know the signs to look for and the questions to ask. We can steer you to a pulmonologist (lung specialist) or oncologist (cancer specialist) in your area with experience in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma/asbestosis.
Diagnosis may involve X-rays or CT scans to detect fluid or masses, biopsy (tissue sample), bronchoscopy (camera view inside your lungs) or specific blood or fluid tests.
Known Exposure But No Symptoms? There is no safe level of asbestos. If you worked around asbestos containing materials or had significant secondary exposure, we urge you to get tested even if you are not symptomatic. Early diagnosis and treatment can add months or years to life.
Our top priority is getting proper diagnosis and treatment for our clients. At the next phase, our attorneys have won millions of dollars* in asbestos litigation on behalf of victims or their surviving family members. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We can assist clients with cases statewide, nationwide and internationally.
*No specific results are implied. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon a lawyer's or a law firm's past results.
