When you feel unwell, you may not immediately be too concerned. Minor aches and pains come along with aging, and you may feel as if you could also chalk up other changes in your body to age or typical wear on the body. However, when the pain increases and you notice other issues showing themselves, you may begin to feel as if concern is warranted.
You may wonder if you should seek medical attention, and when concerns about your health come about, seeking professional input often proves useful. Unfortunately, because you worked in an area where asbestos was present or even lived with someone who works or worked with the fibers, the possibility of mesothelioma may be a valid concern.
Types of mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer and can affect different areas of the body. Depending on where the cancer forms, it may have different names. Two more common types of mesothelioma include:
- Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the thin tissue that covers your lungs
- Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the tissue in your abdomen
Other more rare types of this cancer also exist, and those forms can impact tissue around the heart or testicles.
Signs of mesothelioma
When it comes to pleural mesothelioma, you may experience pain in your chest, shortness of breath, lumps under the skin, weight loss and painful coughing. With peritoneal mesothelioma, you may feel abdominal pain, notice lumps or swelling in your abdomen, and experience weight loss. Though these signs could also point to other conditions, having them examined could help you determine the best course of action.
If a doctor does diagnose you with mesothelioma, you may have limited options for treatment, as no cure for this cancer exists. As the disease progresses, you could also face complications, such as trouble breathing and swallowing, pain, and compression of your lungs due to accumulated fluid.
Legal options
If you believe that you developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure at your current or former place of employment, you may have legal options for seeking compensation. In order to determine your possible courses of action, you may wish to obtain reliable information from local legal resources. Additionally, speaking with a Pennsylvania attorney could help you understand what possible outcomes this type of case could have and how your specific circumstances could impact your situation.