Mesothelioma symptoms vary depending on the type, location and stage of the cancer. Pleural mesothelioma can cause chest pain, persistent cough and shortness of breath. Peritoneal mesothelioma often causes fluid buildup, abdominal pain and swelling. Early symptom detection can improve survival outcomes.
Written by: Karen Selby, RN | Medically Reviewed By Dr. Jacques Fontaine | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: January 22, 2025
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Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma include pain, loss of appetite, fever and excessive sweating. Symptoms will vary depending on the location of the tumor and the stage of the disease. Fatigue, weakness and unexplained weight loss can also be common.
Mesothelioma may not cause symptoms until it is more advanced. The more advanced the cancer, the more likely the tumor has grown to affect the surrounding organs. Early signs of mesothelioma include chest or abdominal pain, coughing or wheezing and fatigue. Late-stage mesothelioma symptoms include bowel obstruction, difficulty swallowing and trouble breathing.
Common signs of mesothelioma may also be symptoms of other diseases, so diagnosing it can be challenging. If you are experiencing mesothelioma symptoms or have a history of asbestos exposure, consult a specialist. Early diagnosis is key to a favorable outcome.
Pleural mesothelioma, which accounts for most mesothelioma cases, starts in the protective lining around the outside of the lungs (pleura). Some early signs of pleural mesothelioma are a dry cough, shortness of breath and fluid buildup between the chest wall and the lungs, known as pleural effusion.
Signs and Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
Rare signs of pleural mesothelioma are night sweats and clubbed fingers, a condition that causes the tips of the fingers to enlarge. A 2024 study in the journal Cancers found pleural mesothelioma can cause thromboses. These are blood clots that block blood flow in the body. Symptoms will vary depending on the clot’s location.
It’s difficult to diagnose pleural mesothelioma early because symptoms usually don’t appear in stage 1. Common early-stage pleural mesothelioma signs include shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, a dry cough and chest pain. Most late-stage symptoms involve pain, trouble breathing and difficulty swallowing.
In our 2023 State of Mesothelioma survey, 53% of patients commonly reported fluid around the lungs as their most common symptom. Some signs of pleural mesothelioma can sometimes lead to doctors misdiagnosing the disease as another more common respiratory condition.
“Many oncologists, primary care providers and even pulmonologists don’t realize that a pleural effusion or shortness of breath and pain could be mesothelioma because it is so rare,” Dr. Jeffrey Velotta, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, told The Mesothelioma Center. “If they know what to look for, they can refer patients to mesothelioma specialists.”
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Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type of mesothelioma. It forms in the abdominal lining (peritoneum) and often causes abdominal and digestive symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Abdominal pain is a common peritoneal mesothelioma symptom. A 2023 study in Oncology in Clinical Practice found abdominal distension in 30% to 80% of peritoneal mesothelioma patients. Poor appetite and weight loss may go with it. Tumors can also cause small bowel obstruction.
Some rare signs of peritoneal mesothelioma include blood clots, hernia, jaundice, low blood sugar and neurological issues like seizures or paralysis. When peritoneal mesothelioma metastasizes or spreads to the liver, intestines and other organs, it can lead to further rare symptoms. Distant metastases are rarer. They occur in only 10% to 50% of stage 4 mesothelioma cases. It can affect distant organs, including the chest and brain.
Isabel De La Camara, a peritoneal mesothelioma survivor, told The Mesothelioma Center that her diagnosis improved her life. “It pushed me to enjoy my life more, to live every moment like it’s your last.” Isabel also said she tells people to enjoy today because tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone.
Isabel De La Camara was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2008. She believes the disease traces back 3 decades ago when she worked at a factory in Puerto Rico. Despite her diagnosis, Isabel is determined to remain joyful and live life to the fullest.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the heart and is extremely rare. Some signs of the disease include fever, night sweats and weakness. Patients in later stages of the disease may have heart pressure caused by fluid buildup.
Signs and Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma
The rarity of pericardial mesothelioma can make it difficult for doctors to diagnose. The disease accounts for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases, and only 150 cases exist in medical literature.
“[Pericardial mesothelioma] patients can present with heart failure initially. It’s not unusual to diagnose pericardial mesothelioma as an incidental finding. You’re not suspecting pericardial mesothelioma,” Dr. Wickii Vigneswaran, a thoracic surgeon, told The Mesothelioma Center.
Testicular mesothelioma forms in the lining of the testes. The main signs are a lump or swollen testes.
Signs and Symptoms of Testicular Mesothelioma
Other early symptoms of testicular mesothelioma include pain similar to a groin injury. Sometimes, these symptoms are mistaken for an infection of the testes. Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of asbestos-related cancer.
Chest pain, abdominal swelling or a persistent cough are key signs you should see a mesothelioma doctor. This is especially crucial if you have a history of asbestos exposure. Frequent bouts of pneumonia can be signs of an underlying lung disease. Early diagnosis using mesothelioma screening is vital for increased survival rates. Statistics show early detection and intervention improve life expectancy for mesothelioma patients.
Pleural mesothelioma survivor Kim Madril’s cancer journey started with a persistent shooting pain in her left side, which she first thought was a kidney stone. That led to her getting a CAT scan before being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Kim was exposed to asbestos as a teenager in her junior high and high school classrooms. It happened during automotive shop class, art class and ceramics class.
If you’re experiencing symptoms, see a mesothelioma doctor or your personal doctor. Early treatment is more effective in slowing your cancer and increasing your survival rate.
Access top mesothelioma specialists and get help scheduling appointments.
Start NowMesothelioma symptom management can include a combination of palliative therapies to reduce pain and increase comfort with traditional cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Immunotherapy can also offer relief but may lead to side effects or challenging recoveries. Supportive therapies further assist patients and families in coping with the emotional toll of the disease.
“Regarding managing symptoms, patients are sometimes challenged with taking pain medication as they worry about being addicted.”
A comprehensive symptom management plan prioritizes overall health by addressing nutrition, exercise and mental well-being. Traditional approaches, such as respiratory, physical and occupational therapy, along with pain medications, are often paired with complementary therapies, like massage, gentle yoga and meditation. Support groups also provide valuable emotional support and coping strategies for patients navigating the challenges of mesothelioma.
“A number of treatments can help ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Discuss all your symptoms with your medical team. “Together, you can find the best treatment for you.”
Mesothelioma symptoms tend to present between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure. This delay is known as the latency period. Asbestos exposure, age, and health can affect the latency period.
Yes, you may have mesothelioma without any symptoms. Many mesothelioma symptoms are mild and mimic the flu or a stomach virus. Most only appear decades after asbestos exposure. Doctors may misdiagnose this rare cancer as other illnesses. This can delay your mesothelioma diagnosis.
Yes, some mesothelioma symptoms may occur suddenly. Some patients have no symptoms until the cancer spreads to other organs. The cancer’s location determines the type and severity of symptoms you may have.
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My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.LashawnMesothelioma patient’s daughter
Selby, K. (2025, February 6). Mesothelioma Symptoms & Signs. Asbestos.com. Retrieved February 7, 2025, from https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/
Selby, Karen. "Mesothelioma Symptoms & Signs." Asbestos.com, 6 Feb 2025, https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/.
Selby, Karen. "Mesothelioma Symptoms & Signs." Asbestos.com. Last modified February 6, 2025. https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/.
Dr. Jacques Fontaine is a thoracic surgeon at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, where he heads up the Mesothelioma Research and Treatment Center. He specializes in minimally invasive robotic surgery and aggressive surgeries for mesothelioma.
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