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At our National Cancer Information Center trained Cancer Information Specialists can answer questions 24 hours a day, every day of the year to empower you with accurate, up-to-date information to help you make educated health decisions. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with valuable services and resources.
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Many of the early symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as those likely to be caused by other problems, so at first people may ignore them or mistake them for common, minor ailments. Most people with mesothelioma have symptoms for at least a few months before they are diagnosed.
These symptoms can be caused by mesothelioma, but more often they are caused by other conditions. Still, if you have any of these problems (especially if you have been exposed to asbestos ), it’s important to see a health care provider right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
American Society of Clinical Oncology. Mesothelioma: Symptoms and Signs. 07/2017. Accessed at www.cancer.net/cancer-types/mesothelioma/symptoms-and-signs on October 26, 2018.
Bibby AC, Tsim S, Kanellakis N, et al. Malignant pleural mesothelioma: an update on investigation, diagnosis and treatment. European Respiratory Review. 2016;25:472-486.
Jain SV, Wallen JM. Cancer, Mesothelioma, Malignant. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2018 Jan-2018 Jul 18.
Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Mesothelioma Symptoms. Accessed at www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/ on October 26, 2018.
National Cancer Institute. Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms, Tests, Prognosis, and Stages (PDQ®)–Patient Version. July 30, 2018. Accessed at www.cancer.gov/types/mesothelioma/patient/about-mesothelioma-pdq on October 26, 2018.
Last Revised: November 16, 2018
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