Signs and symptoms of Mesothelioma vary depending on where the cancer occurs. Pleural Mesothelioma signs and symptoms may include chest pain under the rib cage, unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, and unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on your chest or painful coughing.

Methods and procedures to diagnosis Mesothelioma, which can be done in most hospitals, include tumor markers in blood tests, MRIs, PET scans, CT or CAT scan, pleuroscopy and Immunohistochemistry sometimes called IHC.

Mesothelioma begins when a series of genetic mutations occur within a cell, causing the cell to grow and multiply. Researchers have identified factors that may increase the risk. It's likely that cancers form because of an interaction between many factors, such as inherited conditions, your environment, your health conditions and exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is a product that can no longer be used because of its causal connection to Mesothelioma. In the past it was used in the manufacturing of many products. Those include:

• Brake linings
• Instruments
• Meters
• Gaskets
• Insulating materials
• Packing material
• Prefabricated forms
• Capacitors
• Paper-dielectric capacitors
• Mixes
• Insulation
• Pipe covering
• Adhesives
• Automotive repair (brakes & clutches)
• Sand or abrasive manufacturers
• Shipyards / ships / ship builders
• Steel mills
• Asbestos product manufacturing (insulation, roofing, building, materials
• Maritime
• Railroads
• Oil refineries
• And in the following industries:
• Boiler makers
• Millwrights
• U.S. Navy veterans
• Merchant marines

If you notice that you have signs of Mesothelioma see your doctor immediately. Get treatment and call an attorney who can help determine where you came in contact with asbestos and who may be responsible for your disease.