How Is Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

If there is a reason to suspect you may have a mesothelioma, such as any of the symptoms
discussed in the section "Can Mesothelioma Be Found Early," your doctor will use one or more
methods to find out if the disease is really present

Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma?

Early symptoms of mesotheliomas are not specific to the disease. People often ignore them or
mistake them for common, minor ailments. Most people with mesothelioma have symptoms for
only 2 to 3 months before they are diagnosed. About ¼ have symptoms for at least 6 months
before they are diagnosed.
Over half of patients with pleural mesothelioma have pain in the lower back or at the side of the
chest. Many report shortness of breath. A smaller percentage have trouble swallowing, cough,
fever, sweating, fatigue, and weight loss. Other symptoms include hoarseness, coughing up
blood, swelling of the face and arms, muscle weakness, and sensory loss.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal (belly) pain, weight loss, nausea, andvomiting. There may also be a hernia, fluid in the abdominal cavity or a mass in the abdomen.
A person with any of these symptoms who has been exposed to asbestos should see a doctor
right away.

Can Mesothelioma Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent mesotheliomas is by preventing or limiting your exposure to asbestos in
homes, in public buildings, and at work. People who may be exposed to asbestos at work include
miners, factory workers, insulation manufacturers, railroad workers, ship builders, gas mask
manufacturers, and construction workers, particularly those involved with insulation. If there is a
possibility of on-the-job exposure, say, in renovation of old buildings, then you should use all
protective equipment, work practices, and safety procedures designed for working around
asbestos. If you live in an older home, there may be asbestos-containing insulation or other
materials. A knowledgeable expert can check your home to determine if there is any asbestos and
if it poses any risk of exposure. This may involve testing the air for asbestos levels. You may
then decide to have the asbestos removed from your home. You should hire a qualified
contractor to perform this job, to avoid contaminating your home further or causing any exposure
to the workers. You should not attempt do remove asbestos-containing material yourself

What Is Malignant Mesothelioma?

A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and
the cavity around your heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most of your internal
organs. The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium.
The mesothelium helps protect your organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows
organs to move around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the
chest during breathing. The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura and the mesothelium of
the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity (the "saclike"
space around the heart) is called the pericardium.
Tumors of the mesothelium can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
A
malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because most
mesothelial tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often simply called mesothelioma

Breast Cancer

Sometimes abnormal cells develop in the breast tissue, forming a lump or tumor. This is the most common type of cancer in women.

The breast has several lobes, which are divided into lobules and end in the milk glands. Tiny ducts run from the many tiny glands, connect together, and end in the nipple. Any tissue in the breast can be affected and it will destroy the nearby tissues also. Usually the cancer arises from tissue that forms milk ducts. There are at least 15 different kinds, depending on the site of development . Both women and men can develop breast cancer, but it is very rare in men.