Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer, but its early signs don’t always seem scary. The symptoms look just like common breathing problems, such as pneumonia. This makes it easy for doctors to get the diagnosis wrong at first.
Why mesothelioma symptoms fool doctors
Mesothelioma and pneumonia cause many of the same problems, like chest pain and trouble breathing. Both diseases affect the lungs, so they can look similar to doctors. However, there are key differences.
Pneumonia typically develops quickly with fever. However, patients generally recover within weeks with proper treatment. Meanwhile, mesothelioma progresses more gradually and doesn’t have a permanent cure. Patients also experience unexplained weight loss and fatigue that worsen over time despite treatments.
Other conditions with similar symptoms
Doctors may write off early warning signs of mesothelioma as other less severe conditions, too. Many other illnesses cause the same symptoms as mesothelioma, making it hard to diagnose correctly.
Malignant mesothelioma may also look like emphysema or lung cancer. Other common misdiagnoses include:
- Flu
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
When mesothelioma affects the stomach area, doctors may think it’s bowel problems or irritable bowel syndrome. This type of mesothelioma might also look like Crohn’s disease or ovarian cancer. These different diseases affect various body parts but cause similar symptoms that can fool even smart doctors.
Tests that help reveal the truth
Getting the correct diagnosis needs special tests that can tell these diseases apart:
- Chest X-rays: These can show signs of asbestos damage like scars and fluid around the lungs.
- CT scans: These take detailed 3D pictures and help doctors diagnose all types of mesothelioma.
- Biopsy testing: Taking small tissue samples is a definitive way to prove mesothelioma.
- Blood tests: Certain substances in the blood are often higher in people with mesothelioma, but these tests alone cannot confirm the disease.
If you have a history of working around asbestos or keep getting pneumonia, these tests may help identify if it is mesothelioma.
Getting the right answers saves lives
A diagnosis mistake can delay the right treatment and waste valuable time for patients. Symptoms like coughing or tiredness can be blamed on pneumonia or flu unless doctors know about past asbestos contact.
Early diagnosis gives doctors more ways to treat it, including surgery, and usually helps patients live longer. Additionally, getting the right diagnosis helps not just your health but also meeting legal deadlines to pursue rightful compensation.