Mesothelioma - Complications of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma - Complications
Date updated: August 09, 2008
Content provided by MayoClinic.com
Revolution Health Group LLC

Complications from spreading cancer

As pleural mesothelioma spreads in the chest, it puts pressure on the structures in that area. This can cause complications, such as:

Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Difficulty swallowing

Swelling caused by pressure on the large vein that leads from your upper body to your heart (superior vena cava syndrome)

Pain caused by pressure on the nerves and spinal cord
Accumulation of fluid in the chest (pleural effusion), which can compress the lung nearby and make breathing difficult

Death
Mesothelioma that progresses can lead to death. People who die of mesothelioma usually die from related complications, such as lung failure, heart problems, stroke and other causes.

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