Symptoms

Mesothelioma does not have many symptoms in the earlier stages. The symptoms can caused by the cancer growing and pressing on a nerve or other body organ when they do develop.

The symptoms of the 2 main types of mesothelioma are different.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are
• Pain in the lower back or the side of the chest 
• A persistent cough 
• Shortness of breath 
• A hoarse or husky voice 
• Losing more than 10% of your weight when not dieting 
• Sweating and fevers 
• Difficulty swallowing

The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are
• Pain in the abdomen (tummy) 
• Swelling in the abdomen 
• Feeling or being sick 
• Poor appetite 
• Losing more than 10% of your weight when not dieting 
• Diarrhoea or constipation

These symptoms are all more likely to be caused by some other illness, rather than by mesothelioma. But if you have these symptoms, see your doctor. This is particularly important if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past.