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:
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.
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Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a non-cancerous lung condition that causes scarring in the lungs. This scar tissue can make breathing harder.
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Common pleural mesothelioma symptoms
The majority of cases of pleural mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos, so it’s possible to have symptoms of mesothelioma along with side effects of another asbestos-related condition.
Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fluid in the lungs
- Fatigue
- Back or rib pain
- Chest pain
- Dry cough
- Hoarseness
- Face or arm swelling
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Trouble swallowing
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Pleural effusion
Pleural effusion occurs when fluid builds up between the membranes surrounding the lungs, called the pleura. Although a little fluid is normal in the pleura, pleural effusion is excess fluid. When this happens, it can lead to shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
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Pleural plaques
With pleural mesothelioma, it’s also possible to develop spots of thickened tissue in the membranes that line the lungs, called pleural plaques.
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Pleural thickening
Many people with pleural mesothelioma have scar tissue that causes the lining around the lungs to thicken. This makes the membranes less flexible and makes it harder for the lungs to expand as they should.
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.
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.
Palliative treatments
The goal of palliative care is to alleviate pain, reduce symptoms and improve your well-being. You can continue to have treatments like chemotherapy or radiation along with palliative treatment options.
Palliative treatment plans may include procedures to remove fluid buildup, medications, respiratory therapy, physical or occupational therapy and pain management techniques.
Procedures aimed at reducing the symptoms caused by fluid buildup include:
- Pericardiocentesis removes fluid around the heart
- Paracentesis removes fluid in the abdomen
- Thoracentesis removes fluid around the lungs
- Pleurodesis removes the space between the lungs and chest wall, which prevents fluid from collecting there
Alternative treatments
Alternative treatments work along with your therapeutic and palliative treatments to relieve pain, boost healing and reduce stress. Some alternative treatments you could choose to include in your mesothelioma care include:
- Integrative medicine services, like massage or relaxation programs, to support your well-being
- Medical nutrition therapy to address challenges with diet and support healthy nutrition during treatment
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.
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 - Plano Brain and Spine Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Lung Disease Specialists - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - Weatherford
2035 Fort Worth Hwy Ste 100, Weatherford, TX, 76086
Baylor Scott & White Cardiothoracic Surgery - Irving
1110 Cottonwood Ln Ste 215, Irving, TX, 75038
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 760, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Rockwall
6701 Heritage Pkwy Ste 130, Rockwall, TX, 75087
Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Waxahachie
2480 N Interstate 35E , Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center - Dallas
3410 Worth St , Dallas, TX, 75246
Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center - Duncanville
310 E Hwy 67 , Duncanville, TX, 75137
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Ste 120, Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center - Waxahachie
2380 N Interstate 35E , Waxahachie, TX, 75165
- Monday: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Saturday: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Sunday: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin Oak Hill
5251 US 290 , Austin, TX, 78735
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin Tech Ridge
500 Canyon Ridge Dr Ste 208, Austin, TX, 78753
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Cameron
101 Lafferty Ave Ste B, Cameron, TX, 76520
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Cedar Park
910 E Whitestone Blvd , Cedar Park, TX, 78613
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - College Station Rock Prairie
800 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Georgetown
4945 Williams Dr , Georgetown, TX, 78633
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Pflugerville Medical Center (Building 1)
2600 E Pflugerville Pkwy Bldg 1, Ste 200, Pflugerville, TX, 78660
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Round Rock 302 University
302 University Blvd , Round Rock, TX, 78665
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Temple Cardiac Surgery
2401 S 31st St Desk NT194, Temple, TX, 76508
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Temple Pulmonary Medicine
2401 S 31st St 5B, Temple, TX, 76508
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Temple Thoracic Surgery
2401 S 31st St Desk C116, Temple, TX, 76508
Baylor Scott & White Dallas Diagnostic Association - Garland
7217 Telecom Pkwy Ste 300, Garland, TX, 75044
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
Baylor Scott & White Dallas Diagnostic Association - Garland (Satellite)
5220 W University Dr POB II, Ste 250, McKinney, TX, 75071
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Dallas Diagnostic Association - Plano
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Diagnostic Imaging Center at North Dallas
9101 N Central Expy Ste 100, Dallas, TX, 75231
Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Cardiology Clinic
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd Ste 303, Waco, TX, 76712
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd Ste 304, Waco, TX, 76712
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Imaging Center - Forney
763 E US Hwy 80 Ste 120, Forney, TX, 75126
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Imaging Center - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 200, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Imaging Center - Rockwall
1005 W Ralph Hall Pkwy Ste 121, Rockwall, TX, 75032
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Imaging Center - Wylie
2300 W FM 544 Ste 110, Wylie, TX, 75098
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Interventional Radiology - Temple
2401 S 31st St , Temple, TX, 76508
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's at Baylor Scott & White Clinic - College Station University Drive
1700 University Dr E East Entrance 15, First Floor, Desk P, College Station, TX, 77840
- Monday: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's at Baylor Scott & White Specialty Clinic - Killeen Hemingway
2405 S Clear Creek Rd Ste 310, Killeen, TX, 76549
- Monday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Medical Center - Temple
1901 SW H K Dodgen Loop , Temple, TX, 76502
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Specialties at Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Round Rock 425 University
425 University Blvd , Round Rock, TX, 78665
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Specialty Clinic - Temple
1901 SW H K Dodgen Loop , Temple, TX, 76502
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Specialty Clinic - Waco Hillcrest
120 Hillcrest Medical Blvd Bldg II, Ste 101, Waco, TX, 76712
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Austin
5245 W US Hwy 290 Service Rd , Austin, TX, 78735
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Brenham
700 Medical Pkwy , Brenham, TX, 77833
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Buda
5330 Overpass Rd , Buda, TX, 78610
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Centennial
12505 Lebanon Rd , Frisco, TX, 75035
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - College Station
700 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Frisco
5601 Warren Pkwy , Frisco, TX, 75034
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Frisco at PGA Parkway
7600 Better Way , Frisco, TX, 75033