Early symptoms of mesothelioma can appear to be unrelated to a specific condition. As a result, this may lead to a delay in diagnosis. The symptoms can include shortness of breath and/or pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest. Less often, an individual can experience trouble swallowing, cough, fever, sweating, fatigue, and weight loss.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma (affecting the lining of the abdominal cavity) include belly pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. Minor ailments, of course, can often cause these same symptoms. Sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, pleural mesothelioma (affecting the lining of the lungs) may cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and persistent cough. Some patients show no symptoms at all.

Pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity, represents one of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. As the volume of fluid increases, pain and shortness of breath, known as "dyspnea," may occur. If you have worked with asbestos and you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor right away.

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.