Mesothelioma
Symptoms of mesothelioma
The symptoms of mesothelioma tend to develop gradually over time. They typically don't appear until several decades after exposure to asbestos.
Symptoms of mesothelioma in the lining of the lungsinclude:
- Chest pain
- shortness of breath
- fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- a high temperature (fever) and sweating, particularly at night
- a persistent cough
- loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
- clubbed (swollen) fingertips
Symptoms of mesothelioma in the lining of the tummyinclude:
- tummy pain or swelling
- feeling or being sick
- loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
- diarrhoea or constipation
See your GP if you have any persistent or worrying symptoms. Tell them about any exposure to asbestos you may have had in the past.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Mesothelioma is cancer of the lining that covers most of the body's organs. It's usually caused by asbestos exposure. Find out about the symptoms, causes, treatments and outlook.
Symptoms of mesothelioma
The symptoms of mesothelioma tend to develop gradually over time. They typically don't appear until several decades after exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma in the lining of the lungsincl
What causes mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, agroup of minerals made of microscopic fibres thatused to be widely used in construction. These tiny fibres can easily get in the lungs,
Outlook for mesothelioma
Unfortunately the outlook for mesothelioma tends to be poor. This is because it doesn't usually cause any obvious symptoms until late on and it can progress quite quickly once it reaches this stage.
More information
If you'd like tofind outmore about mesothelioma, the following organisations can providefurther information, advice and support: Cancer Research UK Macmillan Cancer Support British Lung Founda
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