Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma has earned a reputation as a cancer that is very difficult to treat effectively. This reputation is partly due to the fact that in early stages, mesothelioma symptoms are quite non-specific, making early diagnosis very difficult. In addition, the disease usually lays dormant for 15 to 50 years and symptoms do not appear until the cancer has reached its late stages.

Non-Specificity of Mesothelioma Symptoms

The initial symptoms of mesothelioma are often similar to symptoms of other diseases that are much less serious. For example, early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (which develops in the pleural lining of the lungs) often resemble symptoms of influenza or pneumonia. Similarly, symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma (which develops in the pericardial lining of the heart) are similar to symptoms of other cardiac conditions.

If you have a history of asbestos exposure and experience any of the following symptoms, it is best to seek immediate medical advice. Also, in the interest of early detection, those who were exposed but have not yet exhibited symptoms should undergo regular chest x-rays or pulmonary function tests to monitor any adverse affects of asbestos inhalation.

Symptoms - Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the cancer. Approximately two-thirds of mesothelioma cases originate in the pleural lining of the lungs.

Known symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Persistent dry or raspy cough (typically non-productive, meaning there is little or no phlegm)
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
• Night sweats or fever
• Unexplained weight loss of 10 percent or more
• Fatigue
• Persistent pain in the chest or rib area, or painful breathing
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that occurs even when at rest
• The appearance of lumps under the skin on the chest

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma occur as a result of thickening of the pleural membrane and the buildup of fluid between membrane layers, called the pleural space. Tissue thickening and fluid buildup put pressure on the lungs, leading to reduced respiratory function.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Approximately 25 to 30 percent of mesothelioma cases originate in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms are caused by the thickening of the peritoneal membrane and the resulting build-up of fluid between membrane layers. These changes in membrane composition put pressure on the abdominal region and organs, leading to the following types of symptoms:

• Night sweats or fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Swelling or pain in the abdomen
• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea or constipation (in general, any change in bowel habits or regularity)
• Nausea or vomiting
• The appearance of lumps under the skin on the abdomen

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

Less than 5 percent of mesothelioma cases originate in the membranous lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. As the pericardium layers thicken due to growth of cancer cells, fluid builds up between membrane layers, which leads to impaired cardiac function and the following symptoms:

• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing, even when resting (dyspnea)
• Fever or night sweats
• Generalized fatigue

Pericardial mesothelioma is so rare that the recognized body of symptoms is not as well-developed as with more common types of mesothelioma. It is a particularly difficult type of mesothelioma to diagnose, and this correlates to a poor prognosis among pericardial mesothelioma patients.

Testicular Mesothelioma Symptoms

Testicular mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of cancer, as less than 100 cases of testicular mesothelioma have been recorded in the last 60 years. With so few cases recorded, very little is known about the symptoms of this disease. However, if diagnosed early, it can be comparatively simple to treat in many cases. The only known symptom of testicular mesothelioma is the appearance of testicular lumps, and these may or may not be painful.

It is important to note that testicular mesothelioma may arrive spontaneously in the testicle or may be a secondary tumor. In the latter case, the primary cancer is typically peritoneal.