Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is often hard to diagnose as it appears several decades after exposure to asbestos. The condition typically refers to the formation of malignant tumors in the mesothelium, or lining of the lungs.

Pleural Mesothelioma

The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the pleura (the lining surrounding the lungs). Symptoms include difficulty breathing, pain and tightness in the chest, a reduction in weight, difficulty swallowing, and lower back pain.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can also occur in the pericardium, which is the membrane that surrounds the heart muscle. Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include chest pain and heart arrhythmia.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the mesothelium, or lining of the abdominal cavity. Symptoms of the disease include abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, distention of the abdomen, fatigue and digestive disturbances.

Spread of the Disease

In advanced stages, mesothelioma can spread to other parts of the body such as the abdominal organs, lymph nodes, ovaries or scrotum. In the second stage of pleural mesothelioma, the disease often advances to the esophagus or wall of the chest.

Source:

"Asbestos.com: Peritoneal Mesothelioma"

"Mesothelioma: Pericardial Mesothelioma"

"Mesothelioma: Pleural Mesothelioma"

Resource:

"eHow: About Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer"

"Answerbag: Does anyone understand mesothelioma?"

"Livestrong: Mesothelioma Articles"