Mesothelioma symptoms
Early symptoms of mesothelioma are usually mild and are more often caused by something else. That is why it helps to tell your doctor about any past asbestos exposure, even if it was decades ago.
Last reviewed October 27, 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this page.
In short
- General symptoms can include fever, night sweats, tiredness, loss of appetite, weight loss without trying, and blood clots.
- Chest (pleural) symptoms: chest or lower back pain, shortness of breath, cough, hoarseness, trouble swallowing.
- Abdominal (peritoneal) symptoms: belly pain or swelling, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite.
- The American Cancer Society says most people have symptoms for a few months before diagnosis.
- If you have symptoms and a history of asbestos exposure, tell a health care provider about the exposure.
Symptoms by type
The American Cancer Society groups the possible symptoms like this.
Any type can cause:
- fever
- heavy sweating, especially at night
- tiredness (fatigue)
- loss of appetite
- weight loss without trying
- blood clots
Pleural mesothelioma (in the chest):
- pain in the side of the chest or the lower back
- shortness of breath
- cough
- trouble swallowing, or feeling that food gets stuck
- hoarseness
Peritoneal mesothelioma (in the abdomen):
- abdominal (belly) pain
- swelling or fluid in the abdomen
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite and weight loss
Pericardial mesothelioma (around the heart):
- chest pain
- an irregular heart rhythm or a heart murmur
- shortness of breath
Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis (around the testicles):
- swelling of a testicle or the scrotum
- a lump
- a feeling of heaviness or fullness
Why it is easy to miss
All of these symptoms are more often caused by other, more common conditions. The American Cancer Society notes that people often ignore early symptoms or mistake them for minor problems, and that most people have symptoms for a few months before they are diagnosed. Fluid around the lungs, belly, or heart is a common thread, and it is often the first thing a scan shows.
Asbestos-related conditions that are not cancer
NCI explains that asbestos can also cause conditions that are not cancer, including asbestosis (scarring of the lung tissue that causes shortness of breath and cough), pleural plaques (patches of thickened tissue on the lining), pleural thickening, and benign pleural effusions (fluid that is not caused by cancer). Pleural plaques do not turn into cancer, but NCI notes that people with asbestos-related pleural disease may have a higher risk of lung cancer.
Talking to your doctor
NCI advises people who were exposed, or think they may have been, to tell their doctor about the exposure and any symptoms. It can help to bring a short written list:
- Your symptoms and when each one started.
- Jobs, military service, and homes where asbestos may have been present, with rough years.
- Whether a family member worked around asbestos and brought dust home on work clothes.
If tests are needed, see how mesothelioma is diagnosed.
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Start the free reviewCommon questions
Is there a screening test for mesothelioma?
The American Cancer Society says there are no recommended screening tests for people who are not at increased risk. Some doctors suggest regular chest x-rays or CT scans for people with heavy past exposure, but it is not clear how useful they are for finding mesothelioma early. Blood markers such as mesothelin-related peptides are still being studied.
How long after exposure do symptoms start?
Usually decades. The American Cancer Society puts the gap between first exposure and diagnosis at 20 to 50 years, and NCI notes that asbestos-related symptoms can take 10 to 40 years or more to appear.
Does shortness of breath mean I have mesothelioma?
Almost always no. Shortness of breath has many common causes, such as heart disease, COPD, and asthma. It is still worth getting checked, and mentioning any asbestos exposure helps your doctor decide which tests make sense.
This page is general health information, summarized from the sources below. It is not medical advice. Talk with your own doctor or care team about your situation.