Mesothelioma symptoms depend on where the cancer develops. Pleural mesothelioma may cause breathing and chest symptoms, while peritoneal mesothelioma may cause abdominal symptoms. Many of these problems are common in conditions that are not cancer, so symptoms alone cannot diagnose mesothelioma.
Contact a health professional if symptoms persist, worsen or concern you—especially if you may have encountered asbestos. Do not wait for every symptom on a list to appear.
Key takeaways
- Mesothelioma symptoms may appear decades after asbestos exposure.
- Shortness of breath, chest pain and fluid around the lung can occur with pleural mesothelioma.
- Abdominal swelling, pain and digestive changes can occur with peritoneal mesothelioma.
- These symptoms have many possible causes; a clinical evaluation is needed.
- Severe breathing difficulty, new confusion, fainting, blue or gray lips, or intense chest pain may require emergency care.
Possible symptoms of pleural mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining surrounding the lungs. Possible symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Pain under the rib cage or in the chest
- A persistent cough
- Trouble swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Lumps or swelling beneath the skin of the chest
Fluid can collect between layers of the pleura, a condition called pleural effusion. The fluid may compress the lung and make breathing uncomfortable. Many other illnesses can also cause pleural effusion.
Possible symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma begins in the abdominal lining. Possible symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- A feeling of fullness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation or other bowel changes
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
Fluid may accumulate in the abdomen, known as ascites. Ascites has many potential causes and requires medical evaluation.
Symptoms of rare forms
Pericardial mesothelioma may produce symptoms involving the heart or breathing, while mesothelioma affecting tissue around a testicle may present as swelling or a mass. These forms are extremely rare, and similar symptoms are much more often caused by other conditions.
When to contact a doctor
Arrange medical care for unexplained or persistent breathing, chest or abdominal symptoms. Tell the clinician about any known or possible asbestos exposure, including:
- Construction, demolition, insulation or maintenance work
- Shipyard, maritime or military service
- Work at power plants, refineries, factories, railroads or automotive facilities
- Renovation of older buildings
- Living with someone whose work clothing or equipment may have carried asbestos dust
A clinician can decide whether examination, imaging or referral is appropriate. There is no recommendation for the general public to use symptoms as a screening test for mesothelioma.
When symptoms may be an emergency
Call emergency services for severe or sudden difficulty breathing, severe chest pressure or pain, fainting, new confusion, coughing up a significant amount of blood, or blue or gray coloring of the lips or face. This list is not exhaustive.
What happens during evaluation?
A clinician may ask when symptoms began, how they have changed, medical history, smoking history and possible asbestos exposure. Evaluation can include physical examination, chest X-ray, CT or other imaging. If imaging or fluid testing raises concern for cancer, a biopsy may be needed to establish the diagnosis.
Learn how mesothelioma is diagnosed
Questions to ask your clinician
- What are the most likely causes of these symptoms?
- Which tests do you recommend, and what will they show?
- Could my work or military exposure be relevant?
- Should I see a pulmonologist, oncologist or mesothelioma specialist?
- Which symptoms should prompt urgent or emergency care?
- How will I receive and understand the test results?
Sources
- National Cancer Institute. Symptoms of Mesothelioma.
- National Cancer Institute. Diagnosis and Prognosis Updated May 16, 2025.
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Health Effects of Asbestos Updated August 12, 2024.
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