Mesothelioma Signs and Symptoms

Mesothelimia Symptoms and Signs of mesothelioma may not appear until 20-50 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough and pain in the chest by an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion) are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.



Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, difficulty swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.



Mesothelioma is a tumor (cancer) benign (not cancerous) or malignant in the mesothelium, a protective lining around most of the organs in the body begins. Most mesothelioma begin in the pleura (the membrane that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity lining) or peritoneum (mesothelial tissue that covers most organs in the abdominal cavity). Symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on where the tumor is located.



These symptoms can be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can be signs and symptoms:

Chest wall pain

Pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung

Shortness of breath

Fatigue or anemia

Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough

Blood in the sputum (fluid) cough (hemoptysis)



In severe cases, people may have many tumor masses. The person may develop a pneumothorax, or collapsed lung. This disease may metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body.

Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at the final stage. Symptoms include:

Stomachache

Ascites, or abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity

A mass in the abdomen

Problems with bowel function

Weight loss



In severe cases of the disease, the following symptoms must be present:

Blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis

Disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs

Jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin

Low blood sugar level

Pleural effusion

Pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs

Severe ascites

To deploy mesothelioma usually not to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.