Mesothelioma Cancer - Symptoms According to Different Types

Although there are common symptoms pertaining to the three types of mesothelioma, different type of mesothelioma may have also specific symptoms.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer that affects the lung lining) are as follows: • Pain in the chest • Shortness of breath • Pain in the lower back • Fluid surrounding the lung (pleural effusion) • A persistent cough • Coughing up blood • Difficulty swallowing • Hoarseness • Wheezing • Fatigue • Weight loss • Persistent fever • Excessive sweating • Swelling of the face and arms • Muscle weakness • Sensory loss.
In the early stages symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are usually quite mild. The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain. These two symptoms are the result of the build up of fluid in the pleura. Approximately 60% of the individuals report pain in the lower back. The other symptoms are usually reported by a lower number of individuals.
The signs and symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity) are as follows: • Abdominal pain (ranging from acute to severe) • Stomach pain • Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity ( ascites) • Swelling of the abdomen (due to the accumulation of fluid) • A mass in the abdomen • Breathing difficulties • Bowel obstruction • Nausea • Vomiting • Fever • Anemia (a low count of red cells in the blood) • Weakness • Loss of appetite • Weight loss (due to no apparent reason) • Blood clots in the veins • Blood clots in the arteries of the lungs • Abnormal blood clotting • Severe bleeding in body organs • Yellowing of the eyes and skin (Jaudice) • A low level of sugar in the blood • Pleural effusion
The most common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain and swelling due to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Weight loss is another common symptom of peritoneal mesothelioma and is usually more dramatic than other forms of mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects also the intestines, liver and other structures in the abdominal cavity. The ability of the body to make blood clots is impaired since the liver plays an important role in producing the substances to control bleeding. As the cancer spreads beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body other symptoms may include trouble swallowing or swelling of the neck or face.
The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are as follows: • Accumulation of fluid around the heart • Chest pain (ranging from mild to severe) • Shortness of breath • Heart palpitations • Persistent coughing • Extreme fatigue (with little physical activity)
Fluid accumulates around the heart due to the growth of tumors in the pericardial region. Most of the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are attributed to the accumulation of this fluid since the accumulated fluid interferes with the function of the heart. The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are often wrongly mistaken as an indication of some type of heart disease.