Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The symptoms of mesothelioma may not be identified with the real cause (usually asbestos exposure) very quickly because of the long period of time (latency) between exposure and onset of the symptoms. This may be as long as 20 to 50 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. Also, early symptoms are not very specific and may cause a delayed diagnosis.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
- chest wall pain
- pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
- shortness of breath
- fatigue or anemia
- wheezing, hoarseness, or dry cough
- blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
- less common symptoms: fever, night sweats, weight loss
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:
- weight loss
- general body wasting (cachexia)
- abdominal swelling and pain from abdominal fluid buildup
- bowel obstruction
- blood clotting abnormalities
- anemia
- fever
Tumors affecting the abdomen may not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage.
See the
mesothelioma main page
for the difference between the peritoneal and pleural forms of the disease. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
Advanced cases may include these further symptoms:
- many tumor masses
- lung collapse (pneumothorax)
- blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
- disseminated intravascular coagulation, (severe bleeding in many organs)
- jaundice
- low blood sugar
- pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the arteries of the lungs)
- severe ascites
The disease may also spread (metastasize) to other organs or parts of the body.
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