Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a serious type of cancer that attacks the membrane surrounding various organs. Symptoms of mesothelioma may take anywhere between 20 to 40 years or more to manifest themselves. And because early mesothelioma symptoms tend to be general, they often go ignored or else confused for symptoms of less serious ailments. Generally, however, individuals begin to manifest mesothelioma symptoms two to three months prior to being diagnosed .
There are three types of mesothelioma – pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial – and symptoms tend to vary according to type.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the chest. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include:
Shortness of breath
Difficulty swallowing
Coughing
Sweating
Fever
Weight loss
Fatigue
Swelling in the upper body, especially the face and arms
Lower back pain
Pain in the side of the chest
Muscle weakness
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Mesothelioma that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma include:
Stomach pain
Weight loss
Nausea
Vomiting
Swollen belly
Bowel obstruction
Anemia
Fever
Blood clotting abnormalities
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms
The pericardium is the lining that surrounds the heart. Mesothelioma affecting this area of the body is known as pericardial mesothelioma and symptoms include:
Heart palpitations
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Persistent coughing
If you have a history of asbestos exposure and have experienced any of these symptoms, you should consult with a physician immediately.