Symptoms and Signs of Mesothelioma

Symptoms and Signs of Mesothelioma can vary according to the location of mesothelioma like mesothelioma of pleura (Pleural mesothelioma) can cause shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (known as pleural effusion). Pleural mesothelioma can also cause weight loss, cachexia (extreme weight loss seen in cancer patients) pain in the chest wall, fatigue, wheezing, hoarseness, hemoptysis (blood in the sputum). In severe cases of Pleural mesothelioma there may be collapse of lungs, pneumo-thorax etc.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma:

It can cause weight loss, swelling and pain in the abdomen due to fluid in the peritoneal space or abdominal cavity (known as ascites), and cachexia. Peritoneal Mesothelioma can also cause bowel obstruction, problems with bowel function (constipation or diarrhea), a mass in the abdomen, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, fever etc. If cancer (in this case mesothelioma) spreads to other parts of the body there may be pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face etc. depending on the site of spread.

Severe forms of mesothelioma:

Severe form of mesothelioma can cause thrombophlebitis, DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs), severe form of ascites, jaundice, pleural form of effusion, pulmonary embolism, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs etc.

Important points about mesothelioma:

-Sometimes symptoms of Mesothelioma can appear as late as 20 to 30 years after last exposure to asbestos.

-Mesothelioma usually does not spread to (metastasize) the bone, brain, or adrenal glands.

- Pleural Mesothelioma is usually found only on one side of the lungs.

- Abdominal Mesothelioma does not cause any symptoms until in the late stage.