Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis

Mesothelioma symptoms can take up to 30 or even 40 years to appear, making a mesothelioma diagnosis very difficult to pinpoint. Nearly all the diagnosed mesothelioma cases can be linked to asbestos, which can lodge in the lining of the lungs and abdomen. Mesothelioma cancer has a long latency period, meaning that the symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not appear until years after the asbestos exposure has occurred. 
 
If you have worked with or been exposed to asbestos in the past, and you have any unexplained medical symptoms, you should talk to your physician or health care provider right away. As with any medical condition, the sooner you get treatment the better chance you may have at recovery. We recommend reaching out to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation if you are looking for a mesothelioma specialist.
Mesothelioma symptoms for Pleural Mesothelioma include shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness, coughing, weight loss, chest pain and pleural effusion (fluid surrounding the lung).
Mesothelioma symptoms for Peritoneal Mesothelioma (or Abdominal Mesothelioma) include weight loss, abdominal swelling, ascites (an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen), a mass in the abdomen, bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, weight loss and fever.
The symptoms of mesothelioma for Pericardial Mesothelioma include tightness in the chest or chest pain, shortness of breath and weight loss.