Diffuse malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of mesothelioma that arise from pleura and often extend into the peritoneum as well as into the ribs and chest wall. In 75% of the cases prolonged exposure to asbestos is reported. Survival rate is very low in this type of mesothelioma.

Since only less than 2,500 cases are reported every year in the United states, many doctors may not be that familiar with the symptoms of the disease . The symptoms reported are shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of weight, cough,fatigue, swelling on the face, neck and arms, reduced appetite, and coughing up blood. But many a times, the disease can asymptomatic meaning no visible symptoms are reported.

Diagnostic procedure of diffuse malignant mesothelioma may include either one or a combination of following steps.

Imaging with Computed Tomography (CT scan) to diagnose the extent of the disease

Needle biopsy to take samples of the tumor for laboratory testing.

Laboratory testing of pleural fluid.

In some cases, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Position Emission Tomography is found to be very useful in diagnosing the stage of the disease.

In the initial stage of the disesse, Diffuse malignant mesothelioma is confined within the parietal pleura capsule . In the second stage, the tumor spreads locally into the chest wall and heart and in the final stage , the disease spreads through blood into other organs like brain, liver, adrenals etc.

In patients,significant factors for prognosis are age, stage, and histology. If cancer is detected in the initial stage, a radical sugery-pleuropneumonectomy is found to be effective. Radiation therapy is found to be effective only in a few cases. If detected during the final stages of the cancer the average survival period is rarely longer than eight months.