What are the Most Common Mesothelioma Symptoms?

Asbestosis and mesothelioma symptoms, unfortunately, mirror many other types of lung-related diseases. Symptoms can be different based on the type of cancer and can be vague and mild even as the disease progresses into a later stage. Early signs can be so slight that they are mistaken as normal aches and pains or symptoms of other illnesses, making asbestos-related cancer hard to detect.

Early Mesothelioma Symptoms Are Hard to Detect

Many patients don't understand the early symptoms of mesothelioma. They only seek medical advice when symptoms intensify, which is why much of the mesothelioma research today involves finding better ways to secure an earlier diagnosis, when it can be treated more effectively. There is considerable support for early screening for those with prolonged, occupational exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma Symptoms Are Often Misdiagnosed

For physicians who are not trained to deal with these diseases, mesothelioma doesn't come to mind when trying to link warning signs to a disease. Consider, for instance, how often doctors hear that a patient is tired all the time. People with mesothelioma have been misdiagnosed initially with things like pneumonia, bronchial infection and COPD.
 

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Pleural mesothelioma is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, which become trapped in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. These microscopic fibers cause irritation and inflammation in the pleura. This inflammation causes thickening in the layers of the pleura and the buildup of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion). The buildup of fluid and thickening of the lining surrounding the lungs prevents the lung from fully expanding. This causes chest discomfort and painful breathing. 

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms (Stages 1 & 2)

Patients in the early stages of pleural mesothelioma do not exhibit many symptoms. Those that do show are not specific to the disease. Symptoms common in the early stages of this disease are:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Chest pain
• Persistent coughing
• Pleural effusions (fluid buildup)

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Body aches

These are similar to symptoms of various other disorders, such as pneumonia, common cold, asthma, influenza, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Pleural effusions and inflammation in the lining of the lungs are the main source of discomfort associated with mesothelioma, but are also linked to pneumonia and COPD.

Up to 25 percent of patients have symptoms like dyspnea and chest pain for approximately 6 months before seeing a doctor.

Pleural thickening is another result of pleural mesothelioma that is common in other diseases. This is caused by the scarring of the pleura. It causes a loss of elasticity in the lungs, which is essential for the lung to expand for normal breathing.

Pleural thickening can also be caused by tuberculosis, pleurisy, and empyema (infection in the lung that causes a buildup of pus in the pleura). However, in mesothelioma, this is specifically caused by scarring of the pleura due to asbestos.