Cancer-related muscle weakness usually has several causes, and severe muscle weakness is difficult to reverse. The condition is also common in mesothelioma. It can be the body's response to tumors, cancer treatments or metastasis. Nutrition and exercise are the best ways to combat muscle weakness.
Written by Karen Selby, RN | Medically Reviewed By Dr. Jeffrey Velotta | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: October 29, 2024
"The Patient Advocates are absolutely amazing and helpful! I am so very pleased with the information and the emotional support that I have received from everyone...." see more
Pamela K.
Mesothelioma Patient
"I found out about The Mesothelioma Center while researching peritoneal mesothelioma days after being diagnosed with the malignant cancer. While a lot of the 'Me...." see more
Karen F.
Mesothelioma Patient
"I reached out and talked to Aaron a couple of weeks before my diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. He was very helpful and gave me a lot of information at that ...." see more
Stan B.
Mesothelioma Patient
"My brother was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. I began researching it online. The information I received from The Mesothelioma Center is all-inclusive. No...." see more
Cindy W.
Sister of a Mesothelioma Patient
"My Dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma, and thankfully The Mesothelioma Center was the first place I called. Snehal Smart answered the phone immediately and was...." see more
Patrick K.
Son of a Mesothelioma Patient
Written by Karen Selby, RN | Medically Reviewed By Dr. Jeffrey Velotta | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: October 29, 2024
Muscle weakness is a loss of strength caused by mesothelioma. A standard effort doesn’t produce a full contraction or movement with flexing. Muscle weakness can make it hard for mesothelioma patients to lift things or walk. Cancer-related muscle weakness is a common mesothelioma symptom.
Most people with mesothelioma have lost muscle mass. This is due to aging or conditions like diabetes. These conditions can mask muscle weakness as a sign of cancer. Muscle weakness can also worsen as cancer spreads throughout the body. A severe muscle weakness disorder called cachexia is common in stage 4 mesothelioma. The condition can lead to severe weight and muscle loss.
Muscle atrophy is a wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by disuse of your muscles or neurogenic conditions. Symptoms include decreased muscle mass and one limb smaller than the other. Also, there may be numbness, weakness and tingling in your limbs.
The terms muscle atrophy, wasting, thinning and loss often refer to the same condition. After periods of muscle disuse, muscles will shrink. This is because of tissue and muscle mass loss that may be caused by mesothelioma or its treatments.
The main causes of muscle weakness in mesothelioma patients are malnutrition, low oxygen, fatigue, inactivity and some treatment side effects. Cancer, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, can change metabolism. The changes in metabolism can prevent muscles from getting nutrients.
“At one point, I remember thinking I would be going back to work. I’m not so sure now. The worst thing is, I still don’t have any endurance,” she said. “You go through this, and it effects your muscles, your stamina, your outlook. It’s getting better, but it’s a slow process I wasn’t really prepared for.”
A balanced diet is vital for mesothelioma patients in treatment or recovery. Protein is key to reducing muscle weakness. When the body does not get enough protein from food, it uses muscle protein. As they grow, mesothelioma and lung cancer tumors use calories and protein. This leaves fewer nutrients for muscles.
Breathing difficulties can cause a lack of oxygen in mesothelioma patients. Muscles use oxygen to break down glucose and produce energy. Without enough oxygen, asphyxiation can result from abnormal breathing. It can also cause a state of generalized hypoxia that can lead to unconsciousness or death. Mesothelioma can make breathing tough. This makes it harder for your body to supply muscles with enough oxygen. Chronic respiratory illnesses can lower oxygen levels. This reduces muscle mass over time.
Cancer-related fatigue affects everyone differently. A patient may feel energetic one day but not have enough energy to get out of bed the next. Mesothelioma tumors use up energy as they grow. This leaves fewer resources for the rest of the body. A 2020 study in Sage Journals found that 81% of mostly male epithelioid mesothelioma patients reported regular fatigue. The patients in the study had an average age of about 72 years.
Some mesothelioma treatments can cause muscle weakness. Radiation kills cancer and healthy cells. It forces the body to use energy to heal damaged tissues.
Chemotherapy lowers red blood cell count, causing anemia. This makes it harder to deliver nutrients to muscles. Chemo may cause other side effects, like mouth sores and nausea making eating hard. Infections may also play a factor in muscle weakness. Muscle loss can also lower survival rates.
Doctors may suggest palliative care to treat mesothelioma muscle weakness. For example, a thoracentesis can reduce pressure in the chest and improve breathing. Improvements of respiratory issues can reduce fatigue and limit muscle weakness, leading to a better quality of life.
Diet or appetite stimulants can improve malnutrition. Eating more protein can help stop muscle weakness. A nutrient-rich diet for mesothelioma can prevent fatigue from a lack of nutrition.
There are several ways to manage muscle weakness from mesothelioma. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can reduce muscle pain. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe medications such as muscle relaxants, steroid medicines, antibiotics or antidepressants.
Adjust your sleep schedule to ensure you’re fully rested. Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Also, avoid napping longer than 30 minutes. Exercise can be beneficial. But don’t exercise at least 2 hours before bedtime. You should always exercise during a time of day when you have the energy to be active.
Pain and weakness greatly reduce a person’s quality of life. The goal is to stay pain-free and rebuild lost muscle to boost health. This may also improve mesothelioma survival rates. If not addressed, muscle weakness can cause fatigue and poor balance. It may worsen other health problems.
Muscle weakness related to mesothelioma makes day-to-day life difficult. It may cause a person to avoid daily activities, which could impact mental health. This can also affect a person’s ability to recover from mesothelioma treatments like chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.
Terry Latham, one of America’s longest-living pleural mesothelioma survivors, said he struggled from mesothelioma-related muscle weakness and muscle loss. “If not for this mesothelioma, I’d be as strong as a bull today,” Latham said. “But I’ve lost all my muscle, inches and pounds. It’s been devastating for me, but I keep going. You have to keep fighting.”
In 2021, doctors diagnosed Carla Fasolo with pleural mesothelioma. Carla had several rounds of chemo and immunotherapy that left her feeling weak and fatigued.
Her husband provided support, which brought her great physical and emotional relief. Carla says her relationship with her husband is now closer than ever. She leaned on him while she was weak and recovering.
Joey Barna’s mesothelioma journey started in 2018. After surgery to remove the pleura and decorticate the lung, he can get winded easily. Now, Joey is following a strict routine of light exercise and a healthier diet. His goal is to gain weight and put on muscle mass.
Coping with mesothelioma-related muscle weakness is possible through support, treatments and life style improvements. Remember to talk with you doctor about possible palliative treatments that can safely and effectively help you manage muscle weakness from mesothelioma or its therapies.
Recommended Reading
The Nation's Top Mesothelioma Guide
Get Compensation You Deserve
Immunotherapy & Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
Your web browser is no longer supported by Microsoft. Update your browser for more security, speed and compatibility.
If you are looking for mesothelioma support, please contact our Patient Advocates at (855) 404-4592
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
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. (2024, October 29). Muscle Weakness and Mesothelioma. Asbestos.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/muscle-weakness/
Selby, Karen. "Muscle Weakness and Mesothelioma." Asbestos.com, 29 Oct 2024, https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/muscle-weakness/.
Selby, Karen. "Muscle Weakness and Mesothelioma." Asbestos.com. Last modified October 29, 2024. https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/muscle-weakness/.
A medical doctor who specializes in mesothelioma or cancer treatment reviewed the content on this page to ensure it meets current medical standards and accuracy.
Please read our editorial guidelines to learn more about our content creation and review process.
Dr. Jeffrey Velotta is an experienced thoracic surgeon and pleural mesothelioma specialist at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center in California. Velotta also serves as an assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco.
Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families doesn’t believe in selling customer information. However, as required by the new California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you may record your preference to view or remove your personal information by completing the form below.
