Mesothelioma Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma typically begins with mild symptoms that worsen over time and are often mistaken for those associated with more common illnesses.

Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma include:

• A dry cough
• Abdominal or chest pain
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss

“Many of the early symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as those likely to be caused by other problems, so at first people may ignore them or mistake them for common, minor ailments.”

– American Cancer Society

See a doctor as soon as possible if you’re experiencing mesothelioma symptoms. Make sure to mention if you may have been exposed to asbestos, which is the only known cause of mesothelioma.

If your symptoms lead to a mesothelioma diagnosis, LawFirm.com may be able to help. We work with top asbestos lawyers who have secured over $9.6 billion for families impacted by mesothelioma.

Get a free case review now to see if one of our trusted legal partners may be able to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.

Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms by Type

There are four types of mesothelioma based on where the cancer is located in the body, and each one has unique symptoms. Find out about mesothelioma symptoms associated with the different types of this cancer below.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Malignant pleural mesothelioma forms in the pleura, the lining surrounding the lungs. Patients often experience respiratory symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing.

The most common pleural mesothelioma symptom is chest pain due to pleural effusion, a buildup of fluid between the layers of the pleura.

Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can include:

• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Lower back pain
• Lumps under the skin on the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the face and arms
• Trouble swallowing (a feeling that food is stuck)
• Weight loss

“Most patients will have a cough or pain or decreased exercise, and they’ll be treated by their physicians for, potentially, a common cold.”

– Dr. Taylor Ripley, mesothelioma specialist, Baylor College of Medicine

In later stages, patients may experience more severe mesothelioma symptoms, like coughing up blood.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdomen called the peritoneum. Patients typically experience gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating and stomach pain.

Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include:

• Abdominal (belly) pain
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swelling or fluid in the abdomen (peritoneal ascites)
• Weight loss

“I had a big weight loss in just a matter of a few months. After I ate, I was so uncomfortable, very bloated. I was tired all the time. I just felt lousy, and it kept getting worse.”

– Mary Jane Williams, 15-year peritoneal mesothelioma survivor

Medical care can help patients relieve mesothelioma symptoms and improve their quality of life. Mesothelioma treatment can be costly, exceeding $400,000 a year in some cases.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now to see if you may be entitled to compensation to help pay for your treatment costs and more.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma forms in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium, and can result in cardiac symptoms like heart palpitations.

Other symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma can include:

• Chest pain
• Coughing
• Irregular heart rhythm or murmur (arrhythmias)
• Night sweats
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss

Patients may experience a condition called atrial fibrillation, which occurs when the heart isn’t beating correctly due to the disease in the lining of the heart.

Testicular Mesothelioma Symptoms

Testicular mesothelioma, the rarest form of this cancer, develops in the lining of the testicles called the tunica vaginalis.

Symptoms of testicular mesothelioma can include:

• Fluid buildup and swelling of the scrotum (hydrocele)
• Pain or discomfort in the groin area
• Swelling or a lump in one of the testicles

Since testicular mesothelioma is so uncommon, these side effects can be easily overlooked and are sometimes misdiagnosed as a hernia.

If you think you may have mesothelioma symptoms, the best way to protect your health is to get prompt medical care.

Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma vs Later Symptoms

Malignant mesothelioma symptoms may differ depending on how far your cancer has progressed. Mesothelioma symptoms typically start out as mild and become more severe as the cancer spreads to other areas of the body.

Pleural mesothelioma is the only type of mesothelioma cancer that’s classified by stages. In stage 1, the cancer hasn’t spread past the lung lining, while in stages 3 and 4, the cancer has reached distant internal organs and causes noticeable symptoms.

The other mesothelioma types are categorized as localized or advanced based on the spread of the cancer. Find out more about mesothelioma symptoms by stage below.

Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma Cancer

Patients with stage 1 and stage 2 mesothelioma typically experience mild or vague symptoms or, in some cases, no mesothelioma symptoms at all.

Early malignant mesothelioma symptoms may include:

• Chest or abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Fever
• General discomfort
• Persistent coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss

Since other, less serious illnesses also cause these symptoms, mesothelioma is often diagnosed in later stages.

Later Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Once the cancer has advanced to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, you may notice new or worsening mesothelioma symptoms.

Late-stage malignant mesothelioma symptoms may include:

• Anemia (lack of healthy red blood cells)
• Blood clots
• Chronic fatigue
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty swallowing
• Excessive sweating
• Loss of appetite
• Severe chest pain
• Swelling of the face or arms

Consider making an appointment with your doctor if you’re experiencing any malignant mesothelioma symptoms, especially if you have a history of asbestos exposure. They can perform diagnostic tests to rule out or diagnose mesothelioma.

When to See a Doctor for Signs of Mesothelioma

If you’re experiencing mesothelioma symptoms, you should contact a mesothelioma specialist as soon as you can.

These doctors can perform a physical exam and order imaging tests like chest X-rays and CT scans to get an accurate diagnosis. They can also order a biopsy (an analysis of a tissue sample under a microscope), which is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.

“Most people with mesothelioma have symptoms for at least a few months before they are diagnosed.”

– American Cancer Society

By getting a diagnosis and cancer treatment quickly, you can work to improve your malignant mesothelioma symptoms and life expectancy.

Treatment for Mesothelioma Signs and Symptoms

Treatment for malignant mesothelioma symptoms focuses on helping patients live longer, relieving discomfort, and improving quality of life.

Treatments for mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Chemotherapy: May be able to shrink tumors and reduce pressure on the lungs
• Clinical trials: Test new therapies to help patients with this type of cancer live longer and with fewer symptoms
• Immunotherapy: Boosts your immune system so it’s better able to identify and destroy cancer cells
• Paracentesis: Removes fluid from the abdomen in peritoneal mesothelioma patients and offers relief from the fluid buildup
• Pleurodesis: Bonds the layers of the lung lining and prevents pleural effusions
• Radiation therapy: May reduce pain and control tumor growth
• Surgery: Used to remove tumors and cancer cells and relieve symptoms
• Thoracentesis: Removes fluid from the chest cavity to offer symptom relief to pleural mesothelioma patients

Palliative care (pain-relieving) treatments such as medications and breathing therapies may also be used to alleviate symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath.

Your doctor will explain which treatment options may work best for your mesothelioma symptoms and develop a care plan just for you.

See if you may be eligible to pursue compensation for mesothelioma treatments and more with a free case review.

Affording Treatments for Mesothelioma Symptoms

The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Asbestos companies knew of the risks but put millions of Americans in harm’s way to protect their profits.

You may be able to pursue compensation from these companies to cover the costs of treatments to ease your symptoms and potentially improve your life expectancy.

Mesothelioma compensation options include:

1. Asbestos trust funds: There’s an estimated $30 billion in trusts created by asbestos companies that declared bankruptcy to avoid lawsuits. Asbestos victims can access money from the comfort of their own homes.
2. Mesothelioma lawsuits: These lawsuits are worth over $1 million on average, and most end in out-of-court settlements, providing patients with quicker access to much-needed compensation.
3. VA benefits: About 33% of mesothelioma patients are veterans due to the U.S. military’s widespread use of asbestos across all branches. Veterans with mesothelioma typically qualify for nearly $4,000 a month in disability payments and free health care.

Mesothelioma compensation can ease your financial burdens and provide peace of mind during this challenging time.

“Once I began the process, I never looked back. I never regretted it. It was always made as easy for me as possible. It has allowed me to seek the medical treatment I need without the fear of losing my home.”

– Julie Gundlach, 18+ year mesothelioma survivor

Legal Help for Mesothelioma Patients

LawFirm.com works with mesothelioma lawyers who have helped thousands of families get compensation and afford treatments for mesothelioma symptoms.

Together, our legal partners have recovered over $9.6 billion for families impacted by mesothelioma.

The mesothelioma attorneys in our network never charge any upfront or hourly fees, so there’s no financial risk to take legal action. They handle all aspects of the legal process, so you can focus on your health and enjoy time with family.

“Our legal team did all the legwork for us. I didn’t have to do anything except provide my personal background.”

– Dr. Bonnie Snyder, mesothelioma survivor

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill out our form to see if we can help you get the compensation and justice you deserve.