Before identifying the symptoms of mesothelioma, you must first realize that there are two main types of this condition which both include different types of symptoms.

First, is Pleural Mesothelioma, which effects the outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest areas due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity) are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Second, is Peritoneal Mesothelioma, this form of the cancer effects the lining of the abdominal cavity or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart). Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium (a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs) to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

It is important to note that symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. Again, you should immediately consult your family doctor if you suspect you or a loved one is showing symptoms of mesothelioma. Nothing you find online, in print or elsewhere can be as beneficial to you than a case by case study by your own doctor who can better determine the actual exposure to asbestos based on your particular physical history and symptoms.