Mesothelioma

Symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.

Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura (membrane lining the lungs) are often symptoms of pleural (lung) mesothelioma. A cough may also be present.

Symptoms of peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia and fever.

If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.