Mesothelioma Symptoms

What Are the Main Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Symptoms can vary based on the type and stage of mesothelioma. Symptoms can also affect a patient’s prognosis. If you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms and signs of mesothelioma, you should see a doctor immediately.

Symptoms by Mesothelioma Type

Common symptoms of malignant pleural mesothelioma may include chest pain, pleural effusions (fluid buildup in the pleura), painful breathing and a persistent cough.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma patients may experience abdominal pain, ascites (fluid buildup in the peritoneum), unexplained weight loss and decreased appetite.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer of the lining around the heart. Patients with pericardial mesothelioma may experience chest pain, pericardial effusion (fluid buildup in the pericardium) and heart murmurs.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

Symptoms of Early-Stage Pleural Mesothelioma

Patients with early-stage pleural mesothelioma experience symptoms similar to common illnesses. The early stages are known as stage 1 and stage 2.

These symptoms are similar to those of other disorders, such as pneumonia, asthma, influenza and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Pleural effusions and inflammation of the pleura are main symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, but they are also linked to pneumonia and COPD.

Pleural thickening is also common in other diseases. This effect is caused by scarring of the pleura tissue. It causes a loss of elasticity in your lungs, which they need to expand during breathing.

Pleural thickening is caused by tuberculosis, pleurisy and empyema (an infection in the lung that causes a buildup of pus in the pleura). However, in cases of mesothelioma, this is specifically caused by scarring of your pleura due to asbestos fibers.

Symptoms of Late-Stage Pleural Mesothelioma

The late stages of pleural mesothelioma have more specific symptoms but also may include early warning signs. In stage 3 and stage 4, symptoms still include difficulty breathing, chest pains, pleural effusions and persistent coughing, but these symptoms may be more severe.

Many patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in later stages because they begin to experience more severe symptoms:

Treatments for mesothelioma may be used to relieve pain and other symptoms. For example, doctors may drain pleural fluid to reduce chest pain and make breathing easier.

What to Expect From a Mesothelioma Pleural Effusion

Patients with pleural mesothelioma often experience pleural effusion, the buildup of fluid in the pleural space around the lungs. This fluid can cause pain from pressure in the thoracic cavity and restrict the lungs from expanding normally. Doctors have minimally invasive treatment options to remove this fluid and help mesothelioma patients breathe easier.

In a recent study, 108 of 126 or 85.7% of patients experienced symptomatic benefit from fluid drainage.

Doctors often use an X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan or ultrasound to diagnose pleural effusions and during procedures to remove the fluid. Doctors will also use these imaging techniques to re-evaluate for recurrent pleural effusions as they continue to evaluate for symptoms.

A pleural effusion is one of the early signs of pleural mesothelioma. As the disease progresses, pleural effusions are less common in patients. This can be because doctors have treated the effusion effectively or because the tumors have grown and taken over the pleural space.

How to Treat Mesothelioma Pleural Effusion

Controlling pleural effusion is an important part of palliative care and symptom management for mesothelioma. Draining the fluid around the lungs can help patients breathe easier and reduce pain. Doctors usually drain the fluid in the pleural space through a process called thoracentesis.

Thoracentesis is a procedure to drain the fluid from the pleural space using a needle or thin catheter. This procedure usually only takes about 15 minutes and is done while the patient is awake.

The steps of a thoracentesis include:

Many pleural mesothelioma patients experience multiple pleural effusions. These patients need a more permanent solution to their fluid accumulation. Preventing recurrent fluid buildup is an important step in improving long-term quality of life.

Below are two common options:

• Pleurodesis – Pleurodesis is a procedure that seals the pleural space to prevent future fluid buildup. Doctors typically inject a talc solution between the layers of the pleural around the lungs. The talc irritates the pleura and causes the layers to fuse together.
• Indwelling catheter – An alternative to pleurodesis is inserting an indwelling pleural catheter. The catheter is a small tube that can drain fluid from the lungs. Once the catheter is in place, the fluid can be drained regularly at home with instructions from the doctor.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Symptoms for Other Types of Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma makes up less than 1% of mesothelioma cases, and the way asbestos fibers reach the pericardium (lining of the heart) is unknown.

Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of cancer that develops from mesothelial cells. This type of mesothelioma develops in the mesothelial lining of the testicles. Mesothelial cells make up the tissue lining that lines the peritoneum and extends down into the scrotum.

Risks of Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis

Pleural Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis is common for pleural mesothelioma because many symptoms are not unique to this cancer. Cases are often misdiagnosed as influenza or pneumonia in the early stages.

For instance, chest pain and shortness of breath are very common in early stages. However, some patients reported that the chest pain they experienced was mild, dull and nonspecific. So they did not associate these warnings as early stages of mesothelioma. 

Overall, symptoms vary based on mesothelioma type and stage and for each patient. Some patients show very few symptoms — and no unique signs — until the later stages, whereas some experience telling symptoms during stage 1 or stage 2 mesothelioma.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is also common — and for similar reasons. Many symptoms are not specific to this cancer. 

Additionally, this type of mesothelioma is rare, accounting for just 10% to 15% of all mesothelioma cases. Therefore, only a few hundred Americans each year develop peritoneal mesothelioma. It is often misdiagnosed as a hernia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other digestive condition.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma occurs because the symptoms are often not specific to this cancer. It’s commonly mistaken for pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium) and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart).

Early Detection

Talk with your doctor as soon as symptoms start or if you experience lasting signs that you may be associated with mesothelioma. Fortunately, the diagnostic process is improving. Learn more about what methods are used for detecting and diagnosing mesothelioma.

Metastatic Mesothelioma Symptoms

Metastatic mesothelioma describes a cancer actively spreading in your body. Symptoms occur in areas outside the are where mesothelioma develops, cancer cells may spread to the liver, spleen or spine. Experiencing any metastatic symptoms may be a sign of mesothelioma metastasis.

Some symptoms of metastatic mesothelioma to remember are:

• Hemoptysis – Coughing or spitting up blood
• Laryngeal Nerve Palsy – Damage to the throat, resulting in paralysis of the voice box
• Nerve issues – Nerve malfunction in the spinal cord, arms or legs
• Horner’s Syndrome – A conjunction of eye-related issues such as a drooping eyelid, constriction of pupils, decreased tear production and conjunctival redness

These symptoms can be present with other common illnesses or conditions but can also be signs of advanced mesothelioma. You should immediately find a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Get connected with our patient advocates to find a mesothelioma specialist right away.