Mesothelioma symptoms rarely appear early, and later stage symptoms can mirror those of non-life-threatening conditions, making mesothelioma difficult to detect.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Patients with mesothelioma experience a variety of symptoms that vary by type and stage. Symptoms can be caused by irritation or fluid buildup in the lungs or abdomen caused by tumor growth. Symptoms can also be a factor in determining a patient’s prognosis. Anyone displaying the symptoms below should see a doctor immediately, especially if they’ve been exposed to asbestos in the past.
Symptoms By Mesothelioma Type
Pleural Mesothelioma
The most common pleural mesothelioma symptoms are chest pain, pleural effusions (fluid buildup), painful breathing and a persistent cough.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The most common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are stomach pains, ascites (fluid buildup), unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
The most common symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are chest pains, pericardial effusion (fluid buildup) and heart murmurs.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, which become trapped in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. These microscopic fibers cause irritation and inflammation in the pleura. This inflammation causes thickening in the layers of the pleura and the buildup of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion). The buildup of fluid and thickening of the lining surrounding the lungs prevents the lung from fully expanding. This causes chest discomfort and painful breathing.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms (Stages 1 & 2)
Patients in the early stages of pleural mesothelioma do not exhibit many symptoms. Those that do show are not specific to the disease. Mesothelioma symptoms common in the early stages are:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Chest pain
- Persistent coughing
- Pleural effusions (fluid buildup)
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Body aches
These are similar to symptoms of various other disorders, such as pneumonia, common cold, asthma, influenza, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Pleural effusions and inflammation in the lining of the lungs are the main source of discomfort associated with mesothelioma, but are also linked to pneumonia and COPD.
Up to 25 percent of patients have symptoms like dyspnea and chest pain for approximately 6 months before seeing a doctor.
Pleural thickening is another result of pleural mesothelioma that is common in other diseases. This is caused by the scarring of the pleura. It causes a loss of elasticity in the lungs, which is essential for the lung to expand for normal breathing.
Pleural thickening can also be caused by tuberculosis, pleurisy, and empyema (infection in the lung that causes a buildup of pus in the pleura). However, in mesothelioma, this is specifically caused by scarring of the pleura due to asbestos.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms (Stages 3 & 4)
Late stages of pleural mesothelioma have more specific symptoms, but also include symptoms from the earlier stages. In stages 3 and 4, symptoms still include difficulty breathing, chest pains, and coughing, but these symptoms may be more severe.
Symptoms specific to pleural mesothelioma begin to emerge in these stages. This is when most patients are diagnosed. These symptoms may include:
- Fever and/or night sweats
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Painful breathing
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- Persistent pain in the chest or rib region
- Persistent coughing
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Pleural effusions
During these stages, treatment may be used to relieve pain and discomfort associated with various symptoms. For example, doctors may drain pleural effusions to reduce chest pain and make breathing easier.
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