Mesothelioma is a serious disease that doesn’t show symptoms until the damage has already been done. Caused by exposure to asbestos, this aggressive cancer affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or reproductive organs. What makes it so dangerous is the fact that mesothelioma symptoms mimic common ailments, like bronchitis or pneumonia. For example, people often start feeling a little under the weather, develop fatigue, a cough, and sometimes shortness of breath. All of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as a common respiratory issue that will go away with time.
Unfortunately, because the symptoms overlap and doctors often misdiagnose, it can be hard to catch in the early stages. If you believe you’ve been exposed to asbestos, knowing the warning signs of mesothelioma is important. Early diagnosis dramatically increases treatment options and survival rates.
Here’s what you need to know about the early warning signs of mesothelioma.
There are four types of mesothelioma
There are four types of mesothelioma: pleural (lungs), peritoneal (abdomen), pericardial (heart), and reproductive. Pleural mesothelioma makes up about 80% of all cases, and each type presents with slightly different symptoms.
1. Pleural mesothelioma
Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath caused by fluid buildup around the lungs, a persistent dry or painful cough caused by tumors in the pleura, chronic lower back pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and difficulty swallowing.
Pleural effusion can restrict your lung function when the fluid builds up. This makes it hard to take deep breaths and can be an early warning sign. Another major red flag to look for is progressive shortness of breath. Unlike getting winded after a workout where you can recover, mesothelioma causes shortness of breath to worsen over time.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma
Common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain or swelling, bloating, unexplained weight loss, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and changes in bowel habits.
Chronic pain around your rib cage or lower back can be caused by a tumor. If you experience ongoing bloating in your stomach area, especially accompanied by unexplained weight loss, it could point to mesothelioma.
3. Pericardial mesothelioma
Common symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, fatigue and weakness, coughing, and fainting or dizziness.
The fatigue to watch out for is more than being tired. Cancer-related fatigue is persistent and overwhelming. It’s not something you can fix with a nap. It’s exhaustion that doesn’t go away and makes daily activities feel impossible.
4. Reproductive mesothelioma
Although this form of mesothelioma is rare, it typically affects males and impacts the lining around the testicles. Common symptoms of testicular mesothelioma include scrotal lumps, testicular pain, hydrocele, and fatigue.
Additional symptoms
Regardless of the type of mesothelioma, swelling often occurs. For example, a tumor pressing on the superior vena cava can block blood flow from the head and arms, causing swelling and dizziness. If you experience swelling in the arms or face, it could be an indication of late-stage pleural mesothelioma.
Another symptom common to cancer is night sweats and inflammation that presents as low-grade fevers and intense sweating at night.
If you notice any of these symptoms and they don’t have any other explanation, see a doctor right away.
If you have mesothelioma, you’ll likely be misdiagnosed
It’s common for doctors to misdiagnose cancer in general, and mesothelioma is no exception. Because the symptoms can first appear identical to other illnesses, like bronchitis or the flu, general physicians don’t usually think about mesothelioma. If you’re experiencing symptoms that can potentially be mesothelioma, and you know you’ve been exposed to asbestos, see a specialist right away for a more accurate diagnosis.
Knowledge is power and it could save your life
Mesothelioma doesn’t show symptoms until it has progressed, but it’s not impossible to treat. Understanding the early warning signs gives you the power to act fast, whether it’s testing or getting a second opinion. Early diagnosis can mean the difference between treatment options that prolong life and late-stage care with limited options. If you have a known or suspected history of exposure to asbestos, or you just feel like something is off, don’t wait. Trust your instincts and see a mesothelioma specialist to get properly diagnosed.
