Mesothelioma can be mistaken for pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or even a bad cold or the flu. Because it can take 10-50 years for asbestos exposure to lead to mesothelioma, it is often not the first thing doctors or patients suspect.
The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain. All of these symptoms have other, more common explanations.
If you know or suspect you were exposed to asbestos, t's a good idea to talk to your doctor and test for mesothelioma. The earlier this deadly disease is diagnosed, the better your prognosis.