Abdominal Pain and Fluid Buildup
Malignant cancer cells can cause pain in the abdomen [7]. This pain may be mild when symptoms first start to occur, resulting in misdiagnosis or inattention. As the disease worsens, the pain may become more severe and debilitating.
Other common symptoms associated with peritoneal mesothelioma include nausea and vomiting, bowel obstruction, fever and night sweats, anemia, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.
Fluid may buildup in the abdomen [8] the same way it does in the pleura of those with pleural mesothelium. This fluid buildup is called a peritoneal effusion. Depending on how severe the buildup is, it may contribute to the distention of the abdomen.