Mesothelioma Symptoms | Baylor Scott & White Health

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma symptoms vary based on the condition’s location and stage. The most common symptoms include fatigue, chest or abdominal pain, respiratory issues and fluid buildup. However, you may not experience any symptoms at all.

It’s also important to know that some signs of mesothelioma can resemble other conditions, so if you have any persistent symptoms, consult your doctor.

Learn more about the different symptoms:

Pleural symptoms
Peritoneal symptoms
Pericardial symptoms
Testicular symptoms
Early and late-stage symptoms

medical provider using stethoscope to listen to patient's chest for mesothelioma symptoms

What are the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma?

Originating in the lungs, pleural mesothelioma symptoms are often in the chest or respiratory system. However, you may have symptoms that affect your whole body too. These typically develop very slowly—over 10 to 50 years—so it’s common for pleural mesothelioma symptoms to be mistaken for other lung conditions, like bronchitis, flu, lung cancer or pneumonia.

What are the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma?

Peritoneal mesothelioma, affecting the abdomen's lining, may cause symptoms such as stomach pain and swelling. It's common for this type of cancer to be mistaken for chronic conditions that affect the digestive system, such as Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Common peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms

As peritoneal mesothelioma progresses, it can cause a variety of symptoms in the abdomen, such as:

Ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen)
Swollen belly
Stomach or abdomen pain
Loss of appetite or feeling full
Nausea
Unintended weight loss
Intestinal or bowel obstruction
Constipation

What are the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma?

This type of mesothelioma starts in the lining surrounding the heart, called the pericardium, so symptoms are most often in the heart and chest. Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare type of cancer, so other conditions are usually considered first when symptoms appear. It may be mistaken for coronary artery disease or heart failure.

Common pericardial mesothelioma symptoms

Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma usually begin when the lining around the heart starts to become thick, affecting its ability to pump as it should. These symptoms may include:

Pericardial effusion (fluid buildup)
Chest pain
Difficult breathing
Heart palpitations
Irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia
Fatigue
Swelling in the legs
Pain in the right shoulder
Trouble swallowing

What are the symptoms of testicular mesothelioma?

Testicular mesothelioma, an extremely rare condition, has symptoms primarily in the groin area, including pain and swelling. This mesothelioma begins in the lining around the testes and may be mistaken for other conditions, including epididymitis.

Common testicular mesothelioma symptoms

Testicular mesothelioma can cause symptoms similar to other conditions that affect the testes. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Swollen testes and scrotum
Solid lump in the scrotum
Testicular pain
Fluid buildup in the scrotum, called hydrocele
A fluid-filled cyst in the epididymis, called spermatocele

Early and late-stage symptoms of mesothelioma

The wide range of symptoms in the early and late stages of mesothelioma means it’s important to listen to your body and let your doctor know if something feels off.

Early symptoms of mesothelioma (stages 1 and 2)

After asbestos exposure, it may be years or even decades before early symptoms of mesothelioma appear. If the cancer hasn’t spread extensively in stages 1 and 2, these symptoms could be mild. It’s also possible to not have any symptoms at all.

Early-stage mesothelioma symptoms:

Fluid in the area where cancer started
Fatigue
Unintentional weight loss
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chest, lower back or rib pain
Coughing
Digestive changes

Late-stage symptoms of mesothelioma (stages 3 and 4)

In stages 3 and 4 of mesothelioma, the cancer cells have started to spread. When this happens, symptoms may be more noticeable and affect other areas of the body.

Late-stage mesothelioma symptoms may include:

Persistent abdominal or chest pain
Fatigue
Anemia
Fluid buildup
Fever
Night sweats
Trouble swallowing
Reduced appetite and weight loss
Respiratory problems

When should I see a doctor for symptoms of mesothelioma?

If you’ve been exposed to asbestos in the past, it’s especially important for you to pay attention to any warning signs of mesothelioma. If you notice ongoing symptoms—vague or mild—visit your doctor.

If you haven’t been exposed to asbestos, symptoms like ongoing abdominal pain, chest pain or trouble breathing are signs you need care. They could be caused by mesothelioma or one of many other conditions. A visit to the doctor is the best way to find out the cause of your symptoms and get the treatment you need.

medical provider speaking to male patient about mesothelioma symptoms in medical room setting

Treating mesothelioma symptoms

Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the cancer type. Surgery, chemotherapy or radiation may be considered in the early stages. In other cases, your treatment plan will focus on managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life with the condition.

Our care teams are often involved in researching new ways to treat mesothelioma. You may have access to a clinical trial, so speak with your doctor to explore your options.

Therapeutic treatments

For those living with mesothelioma, therapeutic treatments are used to remove or destroy cancer cells. Often, you’ll have access to more than one of these treatments as part of your care plan.

Surgery: Several different surgical options are used in mesothelioma to remove areas of cancer and relieve symptoms. The right surgery for you depends on where the tumor is located and if it has spread.
- Pneumonectomy is a surgery used to treat pleural mesothelioma. It removes the affected lung and part of the pleura on one side of the body, along with part of the diaphragm, nearby lymph nodes and the lining around the heart.
- Pleurodesis is a surgical procedure that stops fluid from building around the lungs. It uses chemicals to create scar tissue in the pleura and close the space between the chest wall and the lungs, preventing this buildup.
Chemotherapy: In earlier stages of mesothelioma, chemotherapy drugs are used to destroy cancer cells together with other treatments, such as surgery. In later stages, chemotherapy may be one of the main therapeutic options.
Radiation: Radiation therapy is used in mesothelioma to both destroy cancer cells and reduce symptoms. The most common radiation therapy for mesothelioma is external beam radiation, which uses high-energy beams to target cancer. Another option is brachytherapy, which places small amounts of radioactive materials inside the body.
Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy uses your immune system to fight cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors are a common type of immunotherapy for mesothelioma. These inhibitors block specific proteins in cancer cells, allowing the immune system to recognize the cells as cancer and attack them.

Finding support

Our team supports you as you navigate mesothelioma symptoms and care. Connect with our programs and resources for the tools you need throughout your cancer journey.

Financial assistance

Patient navigation

Resource centers and boutiques

Support groups and events

Survivorship program

woman placing hand on shoulder of mesothelioma patient in support group

Finding specialized mesothelioma cancer care

We help you get care at a location that fits your needs. We offer several locations for your care, including specialized cancer treatment centers in North and Central Texas.

Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Dallas

3410 Worth St Ste 760, Dallas, TX, 75246

Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Dallas

3410 Worth St Ste 760, Dallas, TX, 75246

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

What are the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma?

Asbestosis

Common pleural mesothelioma symptoms

Pleural effusion

Pleural plaques

Pleural thickening