Symptoms of Mesothelioma
It is important to be aware of the main symptoms of mesothelioma—even in its earliest stages—so that you and your loved ones may be better prepared. Some of the most common signs of mesothelioma include worsening shortness of breath, an unexplained dry cough, weight loss, or pain under the front or back of the rib cage, though each stage of mesothelioma involves a different set of symptoms.
Last Updated:
- May 16, 2025
Key Symptoms:
Pleural Mesothelioma
Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, dry cough, chest pain, fatigue, and weight loss
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Chest pain, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and heart murmur
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Abdominal pain, constipation, swelling, bloating, diarrhea, and loss of appetite
Testicular Mesothelioma
Testicular lumps
What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
Shortness of breath
Unexplained dry cough
Chest Pain
Back Pain
Respiratory problems
Weight loss
Fluid buildup
Generally, the symptoms of mesothelioma are vague and do not arise until the disease has reached later stages. Earlier symptoms are nonspecific and can easily be overlooked or misdiagnosed. Even some later symptoms, like weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats, may be nonspecific.
Early symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Dry cough
More advanced symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Chest pain
- Weight loss
- Respiratory problems
Advanced and often fatal symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Pneumonia
- Respiratory failure
Report to a Doctor
Consult a doctor if any of the following problems occur: trouble breathing, pain under the rib cage, pain or swelling in the abdomen, lumps in the abdomen, weight loss for no known reason, cold that won’t go away, and loss of appetite.
Symptoms for Each Type of Mesothelioma
For mesothelioma patients, symptoms can vary depending on the type of mesothelioma and the affected organ or organs. Organ-specific symptoms may also present. Pleural mesothelioma often manifests with lung-specific symptoms, peritoneal mesothelioma involves abdominal-specific symptoms, and pericardial mesothelioma involves heart-specific symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma accounts for about 90 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses. These patients typically begin to experience lung-related symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath as the cancer grows. The chest pain results from the invasion of cancer cells into the chest wall. Meanwhile, shortness of breath often results from pleural effusion, which occurs when excess fluid builds up in the pleural linings of the lungs.
Other symptoms may include the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Dry cough or wheezing
- Coughing up blood
- Malaise
- Respiratory problems
- Decreased chest expansion
Pleural Mesothelioma Patient's Story
"It started really getting hard on breathing."
Before I was diagnosed with this disease, I was walking like a mile and a half a day. And then I started noticing that when I finished I had to go get on my front porch and relax. It was about five minutes. It started really getting hard on breathing. My wife thought I may have had the flu. So I went to Dr. Burns and he was checking me out. And then when he checked my lungs, he told me, “Bill, I don’t like what I hear.”
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Most patients with peritoneal mesothelioma begin feeling sick by experiencing stomach-related symptoms like swelling, constipation, bloating, or stomach pain. Some cases of peritoneal mesothelioma are caught during routine hernia surgeries. These symptoms result from the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Some patients also report abdominal pain or constipation caused by a tumor obstructing part of the bowels.
Other symptoms commonly experienced by peritoneal mesothelioma patients include the following:
- Swelling
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the most difficult-to-diagnose forms of mesothelioma, as it only involves a few symptoms. Because the cancer is present in the lining of the heart, patients with pericardial mesothelioma have symptoms related to cardiac function, including chest pain, heart palpitations, and heart murmurs.
Other pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Pericardial effusion, or fluid accumulation
Testicular Mesothelioma Symptoms
Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It forms in the lining of the testes and is significantly less common than pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. The only known symptom of testicular mesothelioma at this time is testicular lumps.
How Is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Because mesothelioma symptoms are nonspecific, proper diagnosis requires conducting a combination of physical, radiological, and pathological examinations and obtaining an accurate patient history, including potential asbestos exposure and identification of asbestos-related occupations.
The sooner mesothelioma is diagnosed, the better. Earlier stages have more treatment options and a better prognosis. It’s important to know the main symptoms of mesothelioma, even at its earliest stages, so you and your loved ones can be better prepared.
Did You Know?
Mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning it can take several decades from the initial asbestos exposure for symptoms to appear.
Free Mesothelioma Book
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or you believe you may be at risk of developing it, it is important to educate yourself on the warning signs and symptoms.
We offer a free mesothelioma reference to help you better understand this terrible disease. Understanding Mesothelioma is a 10-chapter informational book providing an overview of mesothelioma, including causes, diagnosis, new treatment options, and survivors’ stories. The book was created to educate mesothelioma patients and their families about the cancer. It is available at no cost courtesy of our sponsor, Baron & Budd, P.C.
Order Your Free Mesothelioma Book
Content Reviewed by
Todd Kale
Todd Kale meets with mesothelioma patients and their families across Louisiana to investigate their asbestos exposure, providing compassionate support and guidance during a difficult time.