Unexplained weight loss is a common side effect of mesothelioma as well as its treatment. The symptoms of mesothelioma cancer can diminish a patient’s ability to eat, while chemotherapy can affect appetite – resulting in a patient losing weight unintentionally. It is important to manage weight loss in a mesothelioma patient so that it does not interfere with the patient’s treatment plan or recovery. The mesothelioma attorneys at the Williams Law Firm is here to help you understand your situation and your options.
Unexplained weight loss can accompany a mesothelioma diagnosis due to the side effects and symptoms of the cancer. Pleural mesothelioma, for example, affects the throat and can cause difficulty swallowing and trouble breathing. This can make it more difficult to eat and enjoy food. Likewise, peritoneal mesothelioma, also known as abdominal mesothelioma, can cause nausea, stomach pain and swelling of the abdomen, making it more difficult to eat and keep food down.
In addition to the cancer itself causing weight loss in a mesothelioma patient, mesothelioma treatment can contribute to nausea and loss of appetite. These are common side effects of chemotherapy used for cancer treatment. A patient who undergoes chemotherapy for mesothelioma may feel weak, sick or otherwise impacted by the treatment in a way that interferes with diet.
If a person with mesothelioma loses weight without dieting or trying, it is cause for concern. Unexplained weight loss is a common presentation in mesothelioma patients that should not be ignored or taken lightly. The patient’s body may not respond to weight loss in a healthy way while dealing with cancer. Without the ability to use fat as fuel, the stress of malignant tumors and chemotherapy treatments can take a toll on the patient’s body in the form of “muscle wasting.”
Patients who experience unintentional weight loss with mesothelioma often end up burning lean tissue instead of fat to sustain the body during cancer treatment. This can be problematic, as lean tissue consists of important muscle tissues, immune cells, platelets and red blood cells. This can result in the patient feeling more fatigued and depleted from mesothelioma treatment. It can also result in more severe side effects from chemotherapy and the possibility of necessary treatment breaks that can hinder recovery.
Eating well can help a mesothelioma patient in many ways. Maintaining a healthy and varied diet can help a patient cope with a cancer diagnosis, undergo treatments and handle related side effects, improve quality of life, and enjoy day-to-day living more. If you are a mesothelioma patient or are taking care of a loved one with mesothelioma, use the following tips to help manage weight loss:
Talk to your doctor about your struggle to maintain a healthy weight as a patient with mesothelioma. Your doctor can connect you to a registered dietitian to help you figure out what foods you need and how to work around your aversions, whether they are physical or emotional. Managing your weight during your mesothelioma journey is important for your prognosis, health outcome and future.
As the founding partner of Williams Law Firm, Joseph P. Williams has dedicated over 30 years to representing mesothelioma victims and their families. His firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for those affected by asbestos exposure, offering personalized, aggressive legal advocacy. Based in New York, Williams Law Firm provides free consultations and handles cases nationwide.
