Mesothelioma Symptoms
A patient with mesothelioma typically demonstrates symptoms between 20 and 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. An early diagnosis can significantly impact a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy.
Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the cancer, comprising approximately two-thirds of all mesothelioma cases. Known symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
Patients diagnosed with diffuse pleural mesothelioma exhibited the following symptoms (source: "Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura in | |
Symptom | % exhibiting |
Shortness of breath and/or chest pain | 90% |
Weight loss | 29% |
Cough, weakness, fever, loss of appetite | 3% |
Hemoptysis (coughing up blood), hoarseness, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), Horner's syndrome | less than 1% |
Pleural Effusions | 84% |
Asymptomatic | 3% |
| |
Patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma exhibited the following symptoms (source: "Peritoneal Mesothelioma: A Review." Bridda A, Padoan I, Mencarelli R, Frego M. MedGenMed 2007 May 10;9(2):32.) | |
Symptom | % exhibiting |
Abdominal pain | 35% |
Abdominal swelling | 31% |
anorexia, marked weight loss, and ascites | percentage not given |
less frequently night sweats and hypercoagulability | percentage not given |
Clinical presentation with fever of unknown origin, intestinal obstruction, or surgical emergency due to acute infalmmatory lesions have also been reported | percentage not given |
Night sweats or fever
Fatigue
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma occur as a result of thickening of the pleural membrane.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for approximately 25 to 30 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses. Symptoms of this type may include:
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma accounts for less than 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Symptoms are caused by thickening of the pericardial membrane and fluid buildup. Symptoms of this form of mesothelioma are known to include:
Chest pain
Pericardial mesothelioma is so rare that the recognized body of symptoms is not as well-developed as with more common types of mesothelioma.