Mesothelioma signs and symptoms include chest pain, coughing, difficulty breathing, and weight loss. Symptoms typically develop decades after exposure to asbestos, the only known cause of this cancer. Treatments can ease mesothelioma symptoms and possibly help patients live longer.
What Are the Symptoms of a Mesothelioma Diagnosis?
Malignant mesothelioma causes many symptoms that vary depending on the location, stage, and cell type.
Symptoms of mesothelioma typically appear 10-50 years after asbestos exposure — and veterans are at a higher risk as the military relied on this substance for decades.
Common malignant mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Blood clots
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever or night sweats
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing or dry cough
Veterans with mesothelioma can seek medical care from military or civilian doctors to ease symptoms and potentially boost their survival time.
Get a Free Veterans Packet to learn about treatments and other resources that can help if you’re experiencing asbestos cancer symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Malignant pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs (pleura) and causes respiratory-related symptoms.
The most common symptom is pleural effusion, which is fluid buildup in the lining of the lungs caused by mesothelioma tumors.
Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Lumps beneath the chest wall
- Rib pain
- Shortness of breath
- Shoulder pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Upper back pain
The symptoms start off mild, so veterans and civilians may not think that they’re related to a cancer like mesothelioma at first.
Decades after working with asbestos as a mechanic, U.S. Army and Air Force veteran Art Putt developed a persistent cough. Art wasn’t concerned at first — but then the cough worsened. Medical testing revealed that he had pleural mesothelioma.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer Symptoms
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). Common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are abdominal bloating (distension) and pain, which occur in nearly half of all patients.
Other peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Appetite loss and fullness
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Bowel obstruction
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Fluid buildup (ascites or peritoneal effusion)
- Lumps of tissue beneath the skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Night sweats
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss
I started becoming ill in November. It got to the point where I couldn’t stand up straight. It was as if my insides were glued.”
— Mary Jane Williams, peritoneal mesothelioma warrior
Call (877) 450-8973 now for help exploring treatment options if you or a veteran you love has possible mesothelioma symptoms.
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma is very rare and forms in the heart's lining (pericardium), causing symptoms that mainly affect the heart and chest.
Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer symptoms include:
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever and night sweats
- Fluid buildup around the heart lining
- Heart murmurs
- Heart palpitations
- Weight loss
Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma typically develop when fluids press on the heart or as tumors spread through the body.
Testicular Mesothelioma Symptoms
Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of this cancer and develops in the lining of the testicles (tunica vaginalis).
Symptoms of testicular mesothelioma can include:
- A buildup of masses near the testicles
- Fluid buildup in the scrotum (hydrocele)
- Swelling of the testicles
- Testicular pain
Testicular mesothelioma symptoms and signs may not appear until tumors have spread.
When Should I See a Doctor for Mesothelioma Symptoms?
Ideally, see a doctor as soon as you develop any potential mesothelioma symptoms. The sooner you are accurately diagnosed, the faster you can get medical care to manage symptoms and potentially live longer.
Doctors can use different tests to diagnose mesothelioma symptoms, including:
- Blood tests
- Chest X-rays
- CT scans
- MRIs
- PET scans
- Biopsies
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has doctors on staff who specifically diagnose and treat mesothelioma in veterans. Veterans with mesothelioma can see these doctors for free or at a lower cost through the VA health care system.
Get our Free Veterans Packet to explore how mesothelioma symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
Signs of Mesothelioma by Stage
There are four mesothelioma stages. In later stages, the cancer has spread through the body, and the symptoms are more obvious. Explore symptoms for mesothelioma by stage below.
Mesothelioma Initial Symptoms
Many patients with early-stage mesothelioma don’t experience symptoms since the cancer hasn’t spread far.
Early symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
When patients do develop mesothelioma symptoms early, they are often very mild and easily misdiagnosed.
As a result, it’s important not to dismiss any potential symptoms, particularly if you or a loved one was ever exposed to asbestos fibers.
Mesothelioma Symptoms in Later Stages
Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma typically become noticeable in the cancer’s later stages. At this point, the cancer has spread through the lymph nodes to distant body parts.
Late-stage pleural mesothelioma signs include:
- Anemia
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Fever
- Hoarseness
- Night sweats
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Swelling of the face or arms
Severe symptoms like coughing up blood or a fever could appear in cases of stage 4 mesothelioma due to metastasis (spread to distant organs).
“If the patient's having a lot of symptoms — cramping, pain, and inability to eat — that generally indicates that the tumor is somewhat invasive and it may be harder to remove with surgery.”
— Dr. Richard Alexander, mesothelioma specialist
Treatment for Mesothelioma Symptoms
After confirming a diagnosis, doctors will recommend mesothelioma treatment plan to help patients manage symptoms and live longer.
In addition to life-extending treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, doctors can use palliative (pain-relieving) care specifically geared toward relieving symptoms.
Palliative treatments to ease mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Alternative therapies: Alternative treatments like acupuncture and yoga may help patients naturally relieve symptoms. Patients should talk to their doctors before starting any alternative cancer treatments.
- Catheters: These are inserted so patients can drain fluid buildup at home. They are useful when patients experience recurring pleural effusions.
- Pain medication: Patients may receive prescription painkillers to be taken under the supervision of their doctors.
- Pleurodesis or paracentesis: Doctors remove extra fluid from the lung or abdominal lining and seal them to prevent more fluid buildup and pain.
- Thoracentesis: Excess fluid is drained with a needle to relieve symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath.
While palliative care is often used in a hospice setting for end-stage mesothelioma, it can also help patients with early-stage cancer manage symptoms.
Use our 14 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist for help finding the best therapies for your mesothelioma symptoms.
- Finding Top Treatments
- Affording Treatments
- Joining a Clinical Trial
Help for Veterans With Symptoms of Mesothelioma
If you or a veteran you love has possible mesothelioma symptoms like a cough or shortness of breath, make sure to see a doctor immediately.
Getting a prompt diagnosis can help you access treatments to manage mesothelioma symptoms and improve your life expectancy.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can also assist you or someone you love battling mesothelioma.
Connect with our team right now to:
- Get a better understanding of mesothelioma symptoms
- Pursue treatments from top doctors and cancer centers
- Secure VA benefits and seek compensation to cover expenses
Get a Free Veterans Packet now to see all the ways we can assist you or a loved one fighting mesothelioma.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma FAQs
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Common symptoms of mesothelioma cancer include a cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fluid buildup around the lungs or abdominal cavity.
If you or a U.S. veteran is experiencing these symptoms and has a history of asbestos exposure, see a doctor and tell them you’re concerned about mesothelioma.
Call (877) 450-8973 for help exploring treatments to manage mesothelioma symptoms and potentially improve your life expectancy.
When does mesothelioma cause symptoms?
Mesothelioma causes symptoms 10-50 years after someone is exposed to asbestos. This length of time between exposure and symptoms is called the latency period.
Since the symptoms appear decades after exposure — and because the cancer is so rare — veterans and civilians may believe they have a more common and less serious illness at first, like the flu.
What does mesothelioma pain feel like?
Mesothelioma symptoms may not be painful or even noticeable at first, but can worsen over time as the cancer spreads.
“Mesothelioma patients usually have some subtle symptoms, and they're going to be hit with this diagnosis,” said mesothelioma specialist Dr. Edward Levine. “So now they're going to have to prepare for a war, really, in order to try to treat this tumor.”
Mesothelioma doctors can recommend aggressive treatments and palliative (pain-relieving) options to ease symptoms and destroy as much of the cancer as possible.
What are the early signs of mesothelioma?
One of the earliest signs of mesothelioma is fluid buildup in the lining of the lungs or abdomen, known as pleural or peritoneal effusion, respectively.
Pleural effusion is the first symptom in up to 80% of pleural mesothelioma cases, according to a 2022 Pathology International report. The fluid buildup leads to many other mesothelioma symptoms, such as shortness of breath and weight loss.
Get a Free Veterans Packet to explore medical and financial resources if you or a veteran you love is suffering from mesothelioma early symptoms.
What are the mesothelioma symptoms near death?
Symptoms of mesothelioma near death include coughing up blood, night sweats, fatigue, and significant weight loss. These symptoms develop as the cancer spreads through the body.
Doctors can recommend different pain-relieving options to help patients manage symptoms of advanced mesothelioma and live as long as possible.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma in the stomach?
Mesothelioma affecting the lining of the stomach and abdominal cavity is called peritoneal mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Diarrhea and constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Many of these symptoms stem from fluid buildup in the abdomen, known as peritoneal effusion or ascites. This is a common initial symptom of the cancer and causes pain, swelling, and a feeling of fullness.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma vs. lung cancer?
Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer symptoms are similar, however. The conditions both cause a cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and weight loss.
Many people think pleural mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer. However, mesothelioma develops in the lining surrounding major organs like the lungs — not the lungs themselves.
A cancer specialist can help determine if you have mesothelioma or lung cancer and recommend treatments to ease symptoms and improve quality of life.
