{"id":27668,"date":"2025-03-26T14:13:20","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T18:13:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?page_id=27668"},"modified":"2025-09-12T15:06:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T19:06:44","slug":"early","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/mesothelioma\/symptoms\/early\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Mesothelioma Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>What Are the Early Warning Signs of Mesothelioma?<\/h2>\n<p>Early signs and symptoms of <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/\">mesothelioma<\/a> typically appear 10-50 years after asbestos exposure (the only known cause of this cancer). They are usually mild at first and can easily be mistaken for more common health issues.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Common mesothelioma early symptoms<\/strong> <strong>include: <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<ul class='columns-2'>\n<li>Chest or stomach pain<\/li>\n<li>Fatigue<\/li>\n<li>Fluid buildup<\/li>\n<li>Loss of appetite<\/li>\n<li>Nausea<\/li>\n<li>Persistent cough<\/li>\n<li>Shortness of breath<\/li>\n<li>Unexplained weight loss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<p><strong>See an oncologist (cancer doctor) <\/strong>if you notice any of these early signs of mesothelioma and if you have ever been exposed to asbestos. Diagnosing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/mesothelioma\/symptoms\/\">mesothelioma symptoms<\/a> early can make a big difference in your treatment options and survival.<\/p>\n<p>Use our <strong>Free Doctor Match<\/strong> to connect with specialists near you who can properly diagnose and treat any potential symptoms of mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<div id=\"25223\" class=\"one-off-25223 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"25223\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-25223{margin:60px auto}.one-off-25223 a{box-shadow:0 4px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.25);display:block;background:#e4f4f6;padding:20px 25px 200px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;position:relative;overflow:hidden;max-width:360px;margin:0 auto}.one-off-25223 a::before{background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50% 50% 0 0;content:'';position:absolute;bottom:0;height:19%;width:135%;left:-60px;z-index:0}.one-off-25223 .vque-content,.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{z-index:1;position:relative}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{width:100%;position:absolute;left:-10px;bottom:-15px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:absolute;bottom:0;width:100%;max-width:unset;left:0}.one-off-25223 .heading{font-size:27px;line-height:33px;text-align:center;display:block;max-width:340px;margin:5px auto 25px}.one-off-25223 ul{list-style:none;margin:-10px auto 22px;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:26px}.one-off-25223 ul li{margin:0 0 15px;position:relative;padding-left:35px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{font-family:\"mesohope\"!important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;content:\"\\e904\";background:#0FAEBF;width:21px;height:21px;display:block;position:absolute;left:0;top:4px;border-radius:50%;color:#fff;font-size:11px;text-align:center;line-height:21px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:center}.one-off-25223 .button{padding:12px 16px;display:block}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-25223 a{max-width:620px;padding:30px 30px 35px;border-radius:0 0 4px 4px}.one-off-25223 a::before{border-radius:50%;height:155%;width:150%;right:-550px;left:unset;bottom:-295px}.one-off-25223 .heading{text-align:left;margin:2px 0 25px;max-width:unset;font-size:24px}.one-off-25223 ul{margin:-7px 0 30px;max-width:365px;line-height:23px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{top:1px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{max-width:unset;position:absolute;right:-25px;bottom:-35px;margin:0 0 -2px;left:unset;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:relative;bottom:0;left:0;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .button{display:inline-block;padding:14px 25px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:left}}@media screen and (min-width:1150px){.one-off-25223 a{padding:30px}}<\/style><a href=\"\/get-matched\/\" title=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor Ad\"><div>\r\n    <div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n        <strong class=\"heading\">Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor<\/strong>\r\n        <ul>\r\n            <li>Find top specialists near you<\/li>\r\n            <li>Seek compensation for travel & care<\/li>\r\n            <li>Get medical guidance<\/li>\r\n        <\/ul>\r\n        <p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Matched Now\">Get Matched Now<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Doctors-ad.png\" alt=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"lazyload\" ><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Early Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms<\/h2>\n<p>Mesothelioma symptoms depend on where the cancer forms. <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/\">Malignant pleural mesothelioma<\/a> is the most common type. It develops in the lung lining (pleura) and causes breathing problems.<\/p>\n<p>Over<strong> 80% of pleural mesothelioma cases start with <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/effusion\/\">pleural effusion<\/a><\/strong>. This is fluid buildup in the lining of the lungs that causes difficulty breathing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Other early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<ul class='columns-2'>\n<li>Hacking cough<\/li>\n<li>Chest pain<\/li>\n<li>Fatigue<\/li>\n<li>Loss of appetite<\/li>\n<li>Night sweats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<p>These early <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/symptoms\/pleural\/\">symptoms of pleural mesothelioma<\/a> could be mistaken for more common \u2014 and less serious \u2014\u00a0health issues like a cold at first. However, they typically<strong> won\u2019t clear up and may worsen <\/strong>as pleural mesothelioma spreads beyond the lung lining.<\/p>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/joseph-friedberg-md.png\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>&#8220;All that fluid building up causes the stomach to decompress, which is a signal to the stomach that it&#8217;s full, and in turn, you don&#8217;t feel hungry. So that&#8217;s one of the reasons patients lose weight.&#8221;<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Dr. Joseph Friedberg, mesothelioma specialist<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<h2>Early Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/peritoneal\/\">Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma<\/a> is the next most common type, affecting the abdominal lining (peritoneum). The first symptom is usually <strong>abdominal distention or bloating<\/strong>, which is found in up to 80% of patients.<\/p>\n<p><strong>More early peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<ul class='columns-2'>\n<li>Abdominal pain<\/li>\n<li>Appetite loss<\/li>\n<li>Nausea<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/mesothelioma\/peritoneal\/effusion\/\">Peritoneal effusion (ascites)<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Weight loss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<p>Many early <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/symptoms\/peritoneal\/\">symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma<\/a> stem from peritoneal effusions, as this fluid buildup can cause pain, bloating, and a feeling of fullness.<\/p>\n<p>Call <strong><a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a><\/strong> if you\u2019re worried about possible mesothelioma symptoms. Our Patient Advocates can help you find top mesothelioma doctors to diagnose and treat you.<\/p>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Julie-img.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>\u201cI had my very first overt symptoms on August 8, and by August 23 I was on an operating table having a tumor debulking.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Julie Gundlach, 19+ year peritoneal mesothelioma survivor<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<h2>Early Symptoms of Rare Mesothelioma Types<\/h2>\n<p>In very rare cases, mesothelioma can form in the lining of the heart (pericardium) or testicles (tunica vaginalis), causing varying symptoms.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here are the early symptoms for each type: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pericardial\/\">Pericardial mesothelioma<\/a>:<\/strong> Shortness of breath, chest pain, and irregular heartbeat<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/testicular\/\"><strong>Testicular mesothelioma<\/strong><\/a><strong>:<\/strong> Scrotum swelling, pain, and fluid buildup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While these types only affect a few hundred people annually, make sure to see an oncology specialist if you\u2019re concerned that your symptoms could stem from mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<h2>Early vs. Late Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms<\/h2>\n<p>As mesothelioma spreads throughout the body, the early symptoms can worsen, and new ones may appear.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/symptoms\/near-death\/\">Late-stage mesothelioma symptoms<\/a> may include: <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<ul class='columns-2'>\n<li>Changes in bowel movements<\/li>\n<li>Coughing up blood<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty swallowing<\/li>\n<li>Digestion issues<\/li>\n<li>Night sweats<\/li>\n<li>Severe chest wall or abdominal pain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<p>Don\u2019t wait for potential symptoms of mesothelioma to worsen \u2014\u00a0if you\u2019re concerned that you or a loved one may have this cancer, make sure to see a specialist as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p>Get our <strong>Free Mesothelioma Guide <\/strong>to explore symptoms, treatments, and financial compensation that can help you at any step of your cancer journey.<\/p>\n<div data-vqueid=\"1361\" class=\"widget widget_oscar-vque default image-right has-img\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"default\">.widget_oscar-vque.default{margin:60px auto;max-width:315px}.widget_oscar-vque.default:first-child{margin-top:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a{background:#2F293D;display:block;padding:20px;border-radius:10px;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}.widget_oscar-vque.default img{margin:0 auto 20px;max-width:150px;width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.default .vque-content{font-size:16px;text-align:center}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.subheading{display:block;line-height:1;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:5px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.heading{font-size:20px;display:block;margin:0 0 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul{font-size:16px;text-align:left;list-style:none;max-width:265px;line-height:1.4;margin:15px auto 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li{padding-left:28px;margin-bottom:10px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li:before{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;font-display:swap;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e904\";border:none;position:absolute;left:0;top:0;background:#0FAEBF;width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:20px;line-height:20px;text-align:center;font-size:12px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.button.arrow{width:100%}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.widget_oscar-vque.default{max-width:620px}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a{padding:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a>div{display:block;display:flex;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap;flex-direction:row-reverse}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a>div>div{padding:0 25px 0 0;width:41%}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a .vque-content{width:59%;padding:30px;text-align:left}.widget_oscar-vque.default img{max-width:90%;margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.subheading{font-size:16px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.heading{font-size:24px;margin:0 0 16px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul{max-width:none}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.button.arrow{width:auto}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div{display:block;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div img{max-width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div{float:left}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div:first-child{width:27%;padding:30px}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div.vque-content{width:73%;padding-left:0}}<\/style><a href=\"\/mesothelioma-guide\/\" title=\"Get Your Free 2026 Mesothelioma Guide\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Your Free 2026 Mesothelioma Guide Ad\" data-desktop-image=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png\"><div><div><div class=\"image-fade\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"296\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png\" class=\"attachment-Medium size-Medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"Mesothelioma Guide Images\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png 296w, https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical-55x55.png 55w, https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical-102x100.png 102w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 296px) 100vw, 296px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vque-content\"><strong class=\"heading\">Get Your Free 2026 Mesothelioma Guide<\/strong><ul>\n<li>Symptoms &amp; staging<\/li>\n<li>Average prognosis<\/li>\n<li>Life-extending treatments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Your Free Guide\">Get Your Free Guide<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>How to Diagnose Mesothelioma Early<\/h2>\n<p>Mesothelioma is very aggressive, so diagnosing potential symptoms quickly is key to getting treatment. If a <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/diagnosis\/\">mesothelioma diagnosis<\/a> is made early, patients may have more treatment options available to help them live longer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>However, it\u2019s hard to diagnose mesothelioma symptoms early<\/strong> since they can mimic signs of less serious health issues like the flu. As a result, a general doctor could easily make a <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/diagnosis\/misdiagnosis\/\">misdiagnosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A great way to help prevent a misdiagnosis of your early symptoms is to <strong>tell your doctor if you were <a href=\"\/asbestos\/exposure\/\">exposed to asbestos<\/a><\/strong>, since this is the only known cause of mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/treatment\/doctors\/\">Mesothelioma doctors<\/a> may then recommend tests like imaging scans or biopsies (fluid or tissue samples) to determine if your symptoms are caused by mesothelioma or another illness.<\/p>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Robert-Taylor-Ripley-MD-300x300-1.png\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>&#8220;Patients who are older with shortness of breath have multiple different diagnoses that can lead to that symptom.&#8221;<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Dr. Taylor Ripley, mesothelioma specialist at the Baylor Lung Institute<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<h2>Treatment for Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma<\/h2>\n<p>Doctors can use several different <a href=\"\/treatment\/\">mesothelioma treatments<\/a> to help manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and potentially extend life expectancy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Standard treatments that help early symptoms of mesothelioma include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Surgery: <\/strong>Physically removes mesothelioma tumors.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chemotherapy: <\/strong>Uses powerful medications to destroy cancer cells<\/li>\n<li><strong>Immunotherapy: <\/strong>Helps boost the body\u2019s natural immune response to cancer<\/li>\n<li><strong>Radiation therapy<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong>Damages the DNA of mesothelioma cells and prevents them from multiplying<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Patients who see a specialist for mesothelioma symptoms early on may be able to access more of these major treatments.<\/p>\n<p>Doctors typically combine two or more therapies in a <a href=\"\/treatment\/multimodal-therapy\/\">multimodal treatment plan<\/a> to achieve the best results.<\/p>\n<h2>Palliative Care for Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma<\/h2>\n<p>Besides potentially life-extending therapies, doctors can use <a href=\"\/treatment\/palliative\/\"><strong>palliative treatments<\/strong><\/a> specifically tailored to easing pain and other common symptoms of mesothelioma. Learn about palliative care options below.<\/p>\n<h3>Catheters<\/h3>\n<p>Health care providers can place a portable catheter in the space between the lungs and chest wall to treat repeated pleural effusions. This allows patients to drain fluid buildup at home without having to make multiple trips to the hospital.<\/p>\n<h3>Pleurodesis<\/h3>\n<p>Doctors may recommend that pleural mesothelioma patients undergo a pleurodesis if they\u2019re experiencing recurring pleural effusions.<\/p>\n<p>During a <a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/pleurodesis\/\">mesothelioma pleurodesis<\/a>, doctors drain the effusion and then irritate the pleura, which has an inner and outer layer. This irritation <strong>seals the two pleural layers together <\/strong>so fluid can\u2019t build up inside. Doctors can use chemicals like talc or a dry abrasion to perform a pleurodesis.<\/p>\n<h3>Thoracentesis and Paracentesis<\/h3>\n<p>Doctors may recommend a thoracentesis for pleural mesothelioma patients. A <a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/thoracentesis\/\">thoracentesis<\/a> drains pleural effusions through the use of a small needle so patients can breathe more easily.<\/p>\n<p>A similar procedure known as a <a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/paracentesis\/\">paracentesis<\/a> can be used to treat ascites in cases of peritoneal mesothelioma. These procedures can be repeated if ascites or pleural effusions return after being drained.<\/p>\n<div class=\"callout-shortcode\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.callout-shortcode{background:#EDF8F9;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 24px;margin:40px 0;max-width:860px;position:relative}.callout-shortcode:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #EDF8F9 100%)}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{color:#100134;font-size:22px;display:block;margin:0 0 15px}.callout-shortcode:first-child{margin-top:0}.callout-shortcode:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:20px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding-top:17px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:74px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{left:22px;position:absolute;top:20px;width:59px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background:#fff url(\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mh-icon-65.png);background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:70%;border-radius:30px;bottom:-10px;content:\"\";display:block;height:30px;position:absolute;right:-10px;width:30px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.callout-shortcode{padding:25px 25px 25px 34px}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{font-size:24px}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode.has-img{min-height:170px;padding-left:175px}.callout-shortcode.has-img .img-wrap{position:absolute;left:29px;top:25px;width:119px}.callout-shortcode.hope.has-img{padding-left:170px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding:0}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{width:109px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background-size:66%;bottom:-15px;height:42px;width:42px}}<\/style><div class=\"content\"><p><a href=\"\/about\/contact\/\">Contact us now<\/a> for help finding treatments to manage the early symptoms of mesothelioma and potentially help you live longer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h3>Other Treatments for Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma<\/h3>\n<p>Doctors can use various other treatments to manage early symptoms of mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Some of these include: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/treatment\/diet-and-nutrition\/\">Dietary changes<\/a> to naturally address symptoms<\/li>\n<li>Minor surgeries to reduce tumor size<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/treatment\/pain-management\/\">Pain management therapies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your cancer care team can recommend mesothelioma treatments that will be most effective in your case.<\/p>\n<p>Use our <strong>Free Doctor Match<\/strong> to connect with top mesothelioma specialists who can provide the expert care you need.<\/p>\n<div id=\"25223\" class=\"one-off-25223 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"25223\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-25223{margin:60px auto}.one-off-25223 a{box-shadow:0 4px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.25);display:block;background:#e4f4f6;padding:20px 25px 200px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;position:relative;overflow:hidden;max-width:360px;margin:0 auto}.one-off-25223 a::before{background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50% 50% 0 0;content:'';position:absolute;bottom:0;height:19%;width:135%;left:-60px;z-index:0}.one-off-25223 .vque-content,.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{z-index:1;position:relative}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{width:100%;position:absolute;left:-10px;bottom:-15px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:absolute;bottom:0;width:100%;max-width:unset;left:0}.one-off-25223 .heading{font-size:27px;line-height:33px;text-align:center;display:block;max-width:340px;margin:5px auto 25px}.one-off-25223 ul{list-style:none;margin:-10px auto 22px;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:26px}.one-off-25223 ul li{margin:0 0 15px;position:relative;padding-left:35px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{font-family:\"mesohope\"!important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;content:\"\\e904\";background:#0FAEBF;width:21px;height:21px;display:block;position:absolute;left:0;top:4px;border-radius:50%;color:#fff;font-size:11px;text-align:center;line-height:21px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:center}.one-off-25223 .button{padding:12px 16px;display:block}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-25223 a{max-width:620px;padding:30px 30px 35px;border-radius:0 0 4px 4px}.one-off-25223 a::before{border-radius:50%;height:155%;width:150%;right:-550px;left:unset;bottom:-295px}.one-off-25223 .heading{text-align:left;margin:2px 0 25px;max-width:unset;font-size:24px}.one-off-25223 ul{margin:-7px 0 30px;max-width:365px;line-height:23px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{top:1px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{max-width:unset;position:absolute;right:-25px;bottom:-35px;margin:0 0 -2px;left:unset;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:relative;bottom:0;left:0;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .button{display:inline-block;padding:14px 25px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:left}}@media screen and (min-width:1150px){.one-off-25223 a{padding:30px}}<\/style><a href=\"\/get-matched\/\" title=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor Ad\"><div>\r\n    <div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n        <strong class=\"heading\">Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor<\/strong>\r\n        <ul>\r\n            <li>Find top specialists near you<\/li>\r\n            <li>Seek compensation for travel & care<\/li>\r\n            <li>Get medical guidance<\/li>\r\n        <\/ul>\r\n        <p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Matched Now\">Get Matched Now<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Doctors-ad.png\" alt=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"lazyload\" ><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Get Help for Early Mesothelioma Symptoms<\/h2>\n<p>Catching mesothelioma symptoms early is crucial. Early detection may allow you <strong>to get the care needed <\/strong>to reduce your symptoms and potentially live longer.<\/p>\n<p>Some mesothelioma patients became <strong>long-term survivors <\/strong>by getting their symptoms checked promptly, as doctors were able to catch the cancer before it spread.<\/p>\n<p>Mesothelioma Hope is here to help if you or someone you love is experiencing early symptoms of this cancer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Our Patient Advocates can: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Connect you with top doctors and hospitals<\/li>\n<li>Help you understand potential symptoms of this cancer<\/li>\n<li>See if you qualify for compensation to cover medical bills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/get-matched\/\">Use our <\/a><a href=\"\/get-matched\/\">Free Doctor Match<\/a> or call<strong> <a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a><\/strong> now to get started.<\/p>\n<div class=\"faq-wrap\"><h2 class=\"faq-wrap-heading\">Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma FAQs<\/h2><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"1\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">What does early mesothelioma feel like?<\/h3><div><p>Early mesothelioma may cause mild discomfort that worsens over time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Potential early symptoms of mesothelioma include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Abdominal or chest pain<\/li>\n<li>Cough<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty breathing<\/li>\n<li>Fatigue<\/li>\n<li>Fluid buildup in the abdomen or lung lining<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What early mesothelioma will feel like varies from person to person. However, if you were exposed to asbestos and notice any of these symptoms, see a doctor promptly and tell them you\u2019re concerned about mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"2\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">How early can you detect mesothelioma?<\/h3><div><p>It typically takes<strong> 9 months<\/strong> from the start of early mesothelioma symptoms for doctors to confirm a diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>However, it may be possible to get a <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/diagnosis\/\">mesothelioma diagnosis<\/a> earlier in some cases by promptly seeing a doctor after developing symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>Be sure to let your doctor know if you or a loved one was ever exposed to asbestos. This can help them rule out more common illnesses as possible causes of your symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>In some cases, mesothelioma patients have even been diagnosed with mesothelioma before developing symptoms when seeing a doctor for unrelated reasons.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"3\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">What are the first signs of mesothelioma?<\/h3><div><p>The first symptoms of mesothelioma vary by where the cancer develops in the body. The first symptom for most cases of pleural mesothelioma is a <strong>pleural effusion<\/strong>. This is fluid buildup in the lining of the lungs that causes chest pain and difficulty breathing.<\/p>\n<p>For peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the abdominal lining, the first sign is typically abdominal bloating or distention. This may be caused by undetected peritoneal effusions, also known as <strong>ascites<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Call <strong><a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a><\/strong> now to speak with a Patient Advocate if you have possible early symptoms of mesothelioma. Our team can help you figure out your next steps.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"What does early mesothelioma feel like?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;Early mesothelioma may cause mild discomfort that worsens over time.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Potential early symptoms of mesothelioma include:&lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;ul&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;Abdominal or chest pain&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;Cough&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;Difficulty breathing&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;Fatigue&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;Fluid buildup in the abdomen or lung lining&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;\/ul&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;What early mesothelioma will feel like varies from person to person. However, if you were exposed to asbestos and notice any of these symptoms, see a doctor promptly and tell them you\u2019re concerned about mesothelioma.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"How early can you detect mesothelioma?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;It typically takes&lt;strong&gt; 9 months&lt;\/strong&gt; from the start of early mesothelioma symptoms for doctors to confirm a diagnosis.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;However, it may be possible to get a mesothelioma diagnosis earlier in some cases by promptly seeing a doctor after developing symptoms.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Be sure to let your doctor know if you or a loved one was ever exposed to asbestos. This can help them rule out more common illnesses as possible causes of your symptoms.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;In some cases, mesothelioma patients have even been diagnosed with mesothelioma before developing symptoms when seeing a doctor for unrelated reasons.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"What are the first signs of mesothelioma?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;The first symptoms of mesothelioma vary by where the cancer develops in the body. The first symptom for most cases of pleural mesothelioma is a &lt;strong&gt;pleural effusion&lt;\/strong&gt;. This is fluid buildup in the lining of the lungs that causes chest pain and difficulty breathing.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;For peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the abdominal lining, the first sign is typically abdominal bloating or distention. This may be caused by undetected peritoneal effusions, also known as &lt;strong&gt;ascites&lt;\/strong&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Call &lt;strong&gt;(866) 608-8933&lt;\/strong&gt; now to speak with a Patient Advocate if you have possible early symptoms of mesothelioma. Our team can help you figure out your next steps.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}}]}<\/script><style type=\"text\/css\">.faq-wrap{background:#E4F4F6;padding:20px 15px;margin:40px -15px}.faq-wrap:first-child{margin-top:0}.faq-wrap:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.faq-wrap .faq{background:#fff;padding:15px;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0px 20px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.03);margin:15px 0 0 0}.faq-wrap .faq:first-child{margin-top:0}.faq-wrap .faq .faq-heading{color:#100134;font-size:21px;margin-bottom:15px}.faq-wrap .faq p{margin-bottom:20px;line-height:1.5}.faq-wrap .faq p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more{color:#248AFF;display:block;padding-right:17px;text-align:right;position:relative;line-height:1}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:visited{color:#248AFF}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:visited:hover,.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:hover{color:#34d}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:after{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e905\";position:absolute;right:0;top:3px}h2.faq-wrap-heading{margin-bottom:25px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.faq-wrap{padding:25px 15px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.faq-wrap{border-radius:10px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding:25px}.faq-wrap .faq{padding:25px}.faq-heading{font-size:24px}}<\/style><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Are the Early Warning Signs of Mesothelioma? Early signs and symptoms of mesothelioma typically appear 10-50 years after asbestos exposure (the only known cause of this cancer). They are usually mild at first and can easily be mistaken for more common health issues. Common mesothelioma early symptoms include: See an oncologist (cancer doctor) if&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"parent":109,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27668","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27668","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27668"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27668\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27668"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}