"Recently, an 85-year-old male relative with a history of heart problems had some imaging done of his lungs that showed fluid build-up. The fluid could have been due to the congestion of heart failure. Or, according to the radiologist, it could have been due to mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer linked to asbestos exposure. To make matters more worrisome, my relative had rapidly dropped to 120 pounds, which appeared cachectic on his 5'6" frame."
"Mesothelioma is not an easy way to go. Shortness of breath, chest or shoulder pain, and fatigue are par for the course. Palliative care is necessary. Five-year survival rates hover at about 10%, which means that death would not only be uncomfortable but also relatively quick. On the other hand, if my relative had heart failure, he could still live for years with careful medical management."
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure that can present with lung fluid and symptoms similar to heart failure. An elderly man with heart disease showed lung fluid on imaging and rapid weight loss, creating diagnostic uncertainty between congestive heart failure and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma causes shortness of breath, chest or shoulder pain, fatigue, and often requires palliative care. Five-year survival is about 10%. Heart-failure patients can sometimes live years with careful management. Asbestos risk peaked in the 1970s, but older buildings and past home renovations continue to pose exposure risks for the elderly.
Read at Psychology Today
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