What are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

The symptoms of mesothelioma do not usually appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. The first symptoms of pleural mesothelioma typically are shortness of breath, cough and pain in the abdomen due to fluid buildup in the pleural space. This is called a pleural effusion.

When mesothelioma occurs in the peritoneum lining of the abdominal cavity, patients may have abdominal swelling or pain due to the ascites, which is the buildup of fluid in the abdomen cavity. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelium may include weight loss, muscle atrophy, weakness and loss of appetite, bowel obstruction and fever may be experienced by some patients.

Malignant Mesothelioma arises most often in the pleura. Generally, the symptoms include:

• Pain in the chest or abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Persistent cough or changes in the way you cough
• Fatigue
• Surrounding fluid in the lungs
• Inability to sleep
• Blood in the sputum.