Mesothelioma Symptoms

Many of the symptoms of mesothelioma are not very different from those associated with other health problems. Also, in its early stages some patients experience no symptoms at all.

symptoms of pleural mesothelioma
(mesothelioma cancer of the lung lining) include:

* pain in the lower back or the side of the chest (over half of patients experience this)
* chest pain under the rib cage
* shortness of breath
* a dry persistent cough, which may bring up blood
* difficulty swallowing (food or liquids)
* hoarseness
* swelling of the face and arms
* fever and sweating
* fatigue
* abdominal swelling
* abdominal pain
* unexplained weight loss



However, a pleural effusion, one of the most common and specific symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, is the accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest cavity. This generally causes shortness of breath, and requires a doctor to drain the fluid, to make breathing easier and relieve chest pain. This symptom is more unique to mesothelioma, making it more likely that you may have the disease.


SYMPTOMS OF peritoneal mesothelioma
(mesothelioma cancer of the lining that surrounds the abdomen) include:


- abdominal pain
- nausea and vomiting
- weight loss
- abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.
- an abdominal mass

Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include:

- bowel obstruction
- blood clotting abnormalities
- anemia
- fever.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Some of the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer of the lining that surrounds the heart) include:

- dyspnea, including significantly difficult breathing at night in bed
- cough
- chest pain
- orthopnea (discomfort with breathing while lying flat)
- wheezing
- weight loss
- swelling of legs and feet

Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma cancer that has spread to other parts of the body include:

* Pain in the area where cancer has spread
* Difficulty swallowing
* Swelling in the neck and face

Like pleural mesothelioma, these symptoms are also common to many minor ailments and, therefore, may not cause a doctor to suspect mesothelioma.