Millions of U.S. veterans were exposed to asbestos while serving their country, putting them at risk of a rare cancer called mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma take 10-50 years to appear after exposure.
If you were exposed to asbestos decades ago, symptoms such as a cough that won’t go away or chest pain could mean you have mesothelioma. There are less common asbestos poisoning signs that you could also develop.
3 rare mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Shoulder pain
- Horner’s syndrome (droopy eylid)
- Night sweats
Knowing both common and rare signs of asbestos illnesses can help veterans like you seek timely care and a diagnosis.
Get our Free Veterans Packet to learn more about common mesothelioma symptoms and how to get medical care and compensation.
1. Mesothelioma and Shoulder Pain
While mesothelioma often causes chest pain, you could also experience mild to moderate shoulder pain. Around 14% of pleural mesothelioma patients experienced shoulder pain as their first symptom, according to Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology.
U.S. Army veteran Ernie Conry suffered from pain in his shoulder as well as his ribcage that wouldn’t go away. “Various doctor visits could prove nothing,” Ernie remembered. “I was going in and out of doctors’ offices for years.”
Ernie was shocked to learn that his shoulder pain was caused by mesothelioma, and dedicated the rest of his life to raising awareness about this rare cancer so others could stay safe.
2. Horner’s Syndrome
Horner’s syndrome is a condition marked by a droopy eyelid and decreased pupil size on one side of the face. Just 2 out of over 180 mesothelioma patients developed Horner’s syndrome in a study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
While rare, you could develop Horner’s syndrome if mesothelioma tumors grow into nerves.
Horner’s syndrome symptoms include:
- Delayed pupil dilation in dim light
- Drooping eyelid
- Elevation of the lower lid
- Eye appearing sunken
- Little or no facial sweating
- Smaller pupil size
One 63-year-old patient went to the hospital with arm and back pain along with Horner’s syndrome symptoms on his left side. He was later diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.
Call (877) 450-8973 now if you’re worried that you may have symptoms of mesothelioma. We can help you find top mesothelioma doctors to get diagnosed and treated.
3. Mesothelioma Night Sweats
Night sweat is another early but rare mesothelioma warning sign. Your body tries to fight cancer by increasing body temperature and causing a fever. There are many possible causes of night sweats other than cancers like mesothelioma, and as a result, this asbestos poisoning sign could be brushed off at first.
Mary Jane Williams experienced bouts of sweating and bloating for over a year. Doctors originally thought she had a problem with her gallbladder before she was finally diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma.
“I was tired all the time and I had the sweats,” she recalled. “I remember being at work and just sweating, and everybody else would be cold. I felt lousy, and it just kept getting worse.”
Get Help for Rare Asbestos Poisoning Signs and Symptoms
If you are a veteran with a history of asbestos exposure, it’s important to keep an eye out for any signs of mesothelioma. Seeing a doctor for symptoms like Horner’s syndrome, night sweats, and shoulder pain could help you get diagnosed faster, which may help you live longer.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can assist veterans, civilians, and families concerned about possible mesothelioma symptoms.
Work with our team to:
- Find top doctors near you who can assess symptoms
- Get help affording mesothelioma treatment expenses
- Receive the support you need after a diagnosis
Get a Free Veterans Packet now to find information about mesothelioma symptoms, treatment options, and compensation.
