Symptom 8: Swelling of the Face and Arms
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Swelling, especially when localized to the face and arms, is an alarming symptom in the backdrop of mesothelioma. This isn’t the typical swelling one might experience after a minor injury or due to an allergic reaction. Instead, it’s a symptom indicative of a deeper, more systemic issue often linked to the progression of the tumor and its interaction with key structures in the chest.
As mesothelioma progresses, it can impede the superior vena cava, a major vein responsible for returning blood from the upper part of the body to the heart. Once this vein is compressed or obstructed by the tumor, it results in reduced blood flow, leading to a buildup of fluid in the face and arms, manifesting as swelling.(8)
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