A patient with mesothelioma frequently shows symptoms 15 to 50 years later than early exposure to asbestos. The cancer may take decades to grow in the body and symptoms are not visible until after the cancer is evident. A lot of patients are unconscious of the rigorousness of their situation from the time when mesothelioma symptoms usually bear a resemblance to symptoms of less serious diseases.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Pleural mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the pleura, is a tumor of the lining surrounding the lungs. There are two types of pleural mesothelioma: benign and malignant. Benign pleural mesothelioma is a non-cancerous tumor that has not spread to other organs of the body. If the tumor is large, it may compress the lung itself and cause shortness of breath and pain. Pleural mesothelioma is the most frequent form of the cancer, comprising just about two-thirds of all mesothelioma cases. Known symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Persistent dry or raspy cough (typically non-productive, meaning there is little or no phlegm)
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
• Fever
• Unexplained weight loss of 10 percent or more
• Fatigue
• Persistent pain in the chest or rib area, or painful breathing
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that occurs even when at rest
• The appearance of lumps under the skin on the chest
• Painful breathing (pleurisy)
• Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on the chest or abdomen
• Pain under the rib cage, in the lower back, or at the side of the chest
• Pain or swelling in the abdomen
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Sweating
• Swelling of the face and arms
• Muscle weakness

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Peritoneal mesothelioma, also known as cancer of the peritoneum, is a cancer of the abdominal lining. The disease is not almost as common as pleural mesothelioma just roughly 25 to 30 percent only of mesothelioma cases begin in the peritoneum. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are caused when the peritoneal membrane thickens and fluid builds up between membrane layers. The thickening and excess fluid sets heaviness on the total abdominal region and organs. Symptoms may include:

• Night sweats or fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea or constipation (in general, any change in bowel habits or regularity)
• The appearance of lumps under the skin on the abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation
• Lumps of tissue under the skin in the abdomen
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blood clotting abnormalities
• Anemia
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hernia

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

Pericardial mesothelioma is also known as mesothelioma of the pericardium or cancer of the sac that holds the heart. The occurrence of pericardial mesothelioma makes up less than 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases. In pericardial mesothelioma, layers of the pericardium thicken as the cancer cells develop, which results in a build-up of fluid between membrane layers. This build-up of fluid sooner or later damage cardiac function. Known symptoms include:

• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing, even when resting (dyspnea)
• Fever or night sweats
• Generalized fatigue