Peritoneal mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms and signs may not appear until next 20 to 50 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. However, once the cancerous tumors start to grow in the peritoneum, fluid begins to rapidly accumulate in the abdominal area. This fluid causes swelling and discomfort and leads to the symptom of peritoneal mesothelioma:

• Upper abdominal pain.
  It is the most common peritoneal mesothelioma symptom.
• Cough and shortness of breath.
  Less common symptoms
• Bowel obstruction.
  
  
• Blood clotting abnormalities.
• Anemia.
• Fever.
• Weight loss and abdominal pain.
• Swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.

Many patients have symptoms four to six months before diagnosis. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include:

1. Pain
2. Trouble swallowing
3. Swelling of the neck or face.

However, these symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

Peritoneal mesothelioma patients can exhibit all three kinds of mesothelioma cancer cells: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma. These are type of cancer cells that can affect the mesothelioma prognosis. It is thought that patients with biphasic mesothelioma cancer cells have a shorter life expectancy, than that for epithelioid or sarcomatoid.

Main article: Peritoneal Mesothelioma