Mesothelioma Symptoms and Risk Factors

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (lining of the chest) can include:

* pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest
* shortness of breath
* trouble swallowing
* hoarseness
* cough
* fever
* sweating
* tiredness
* weight loss
* swelling of the face and arms
* muscle weakness

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma (lining of the abdominal cavity) include:

* belly pain
* weight loss
* nausea
* vomiting
* fluid or a lump in the abdomen

Of course, these same symptoms can also be caused by other minor ailments. But if you have worked with asbestos and you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor right away.

If there is reason to suspect you might have mesothelioma, the doctor will ask you questions about your health and do a complete physical exam. The exam can help tell if you have fluid in the chest, abdomen, or heart. This fluid can be a sign of mesothelioma. The only proper path to determining if you or a loved one has mesothelioma is to seek out medical help.