A mesothelioma symptom may take anywhere between 15 to 50 years after asbestos exposure to begin manifestation, and usually presents itself, on average, 30 years after the initial contact with asbestos. It is often that symptoms don’t become apparent until the cancer has already developed. Early detection is difficult, because often a mesothelioma symptom is similar to many common and less severe sicknesses.

Different types of mesothelioma present with different types of symptoms:

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptom

Pleural mesothelioma is the type of mesothelioma cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs and is the most common type of mesothelioma. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent coughing, wheezing, pain in the chest area, fatigue, anemia and unexplained weight loss. More severe symptoms can include coughing up of blood, difficulty swallowing, lumps developing under the skin around the chest, tumors and even collapsed lungs.

These symptoms of pleural mesothelioma develop due to the accumulation of fluid (called pleural effusion) in the pleural space. The pleural effusion, in turn, develops because of the thickening of the pleura, which is the membrane or thin layer of cells that surrounds, protects and cushions the lungs. The pleura is comprised of two layers of tissue that are normally separated only by a small amount of fluid. However, as a result of the buildup of cancerous cells on the membrane, thickening of the tissue and fluid accumulation, pressure develops against the lungs and causes the breathing-related symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptom

Peritoneal mesothelioma is the type of mesothelioma cancer that develops in the abdominal area, which affects the membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity. The cause of any peritoneal mesothelioma symptom begins when asbestos fibers or dust work their way into the body and into the abdominal membrane called the peritoneum surrounding the internal organs in the abdomen. These asbestos compounds irritate and cause inflammation of the peritoneum that ultimately causes cancer cells to develop. The rapid and uncontrolled growth of cancer cells causes the peritoneum to thicken and fluid within the peritoneum layers to accumulate, which applies pressure against the internal organs that the membrane was originally intended to protect.

A peritoneal mesothelioma symptom may be any of the following: abdominal swelling or pain, diarrhea, constipation, lumps under the skin around the abdomen, fatigue and anemia. Other symptoms include nausea or vomiting, unexplained weight loss or night sweats. Severe symptoms are bowel obstruction and abnormal blood clotting.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptom

A symptom of pericardial mesothelioma can often resemble symptoms of many other heart conditions, which makes it difficult to quickly recognize and diagnose. A pericardial mesothelioma symptom is caused by fluid buildup and thickening of the pericardial membrane that surrounds the heart, which can cause heart palpitations, arrhythmia, chest pains and fatigue. Heart murmurs are also possible side effects, in addition to difficulty breathing and coughing. Severe cases of the disease also include blood clots in arteries and veins.