What Are Mesothelioma Symptoms?
Mesothelioma symptoms vary based on many factors. Because mesothelioma can form in different locations throughout the body, symptoms will be different based on where the mesothelioma first develops. The most common mesothelioma location is in the pleura (lung), followed by the peritoneum (abdomen) and the pericardium (heart).
In general, mesothelioma patients may experience common symptoms across all forms of the disease.
Symptoms such as fever, night sweats, fatigue, and weight loss are all common to any type of cancer as the body reacts and fights against abnormal cells.
Below are the common symptoms patients experience based on mesothelioma location.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma forms within the protective tissue lining that covers the lungs and chest, called the pleura.
In a healthy state, the pleura allows for the expansion and contraction of the chest as the lungs breathe in and out. When the pleura becomes diseased from mesothelioma tumors, it constricts the chest and makes breathing difficult.
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Many patients don’t experience significant symptoms in the earliest stage of mesothelioma. It sometimes takes patients six months to notice any significant increase in symptoms that could prompt them to see a doctor.
Some of the possible early-stage pleural mesothelioma symptoms may include:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Fluid buildup in the chest
- Weight loss
As mesothelioma progresses to the later stages, patients may notice more serious symptoms such as:
- Coughing up blood
- Chronic fever and excessive sweating
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fatigue
- Increased difficulty breathing
- Pain in the ribcage and spine
- Severe weight loss, malnutrition, and loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath when lying down
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Peritoneal mesothelioma first develops in the peritoneum, which is the protective lining that covers the abdominal organs. The peritoneum allows for movement of stomach and bowels. As tumors develop, they affect the peritoneum and its ability to expand, causing a painful, bloated feeling.
It’s possible for patients not to notice any initial symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, which makes it difficult to detect in the early stages. But as the tumors metastasize (spread to distant sites), peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms may worsen.
Some possible peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating and swelling in the stomach
- Changes in bowel habits
- Diarrhea and constipation
- Fatigue
- Fever and excessive sweating
- Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)
- Malnutrition and loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma is rare. It first forms in the pericardium, which is the protective lining of the heart. When tumors develop in the pericardium, they cause tightness and constriction of the heart muscle due to tissue inflammation. As a result, patients will exhibit heart-related symptoms that can cause severe pain and discomfort.
Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms are very difficult to identify at first. But as the mesothelioma metastasizes, it can cause severe symptoms that can cause heart failure.
Because pericardial mesothelioma is so rare, there isn’t a lot known about it.
However, patients have reported the following pericardial mesothelioma symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Fluid buildup in the heart
- Irregular heartbeats and heart murmurs
- Pericardial thickening
- Tightness in the chest
