MESOTHELIOMA SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

Mesothelioma Symptoms

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are difficulty in breathing, chest pain, or both. Occasionally, a patient may not have mesothelioma symptoms at diagnosis.

Other less common symptoms include weight loss, fever, night sweats, cough, and a general feeling of not being well. Mesothelioma symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include swelling, pain due to accumulation of fluid in the abdomen cavity, weight loss, and a mass in the abdomen. Other mesothelioma symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia (a lowered red blood cell count), and fever.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because many of the mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions, including lung cancer and other types of cancers. At the time of diagnosis, your doctor will first do a physical examination and complete a medical history, including asking about the possibility of prior exposure to asbestos.
Although there is no early detection test for mesothelioma, there are several tests that can be used to help in making the diagnosis of mesothelioma, including a chest x-ray, a CT scan, or an MRI scan. A chest x-ray yields an image of the lungs that will show many types of abnormal changes. A CT scan (computed tomography) is a type of x-ray, but it uses a computer rather than film to create detailed images. An MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging) uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer but does not utilize radiation to create a clear image. These tests help your doctor differentiate mesothelioma from other lung tumors as well as determine where the tumor is and its size.
Your doctor may need to remove a tissue sample from the tumor (a biopsy) or draw fluid (aspirate) from it to confirm it to confirm the diagnosis. This can be done in several ways.
The simplest way to obtain tissue samples involving making a small incision and placing a flexible tube in the area of the tumor. This is called a thoracoscopy if it is done in the chest area. A laparoscopy is the same procedure, but done in the abdominal cavity. A tube that is that is attached to a video camera is placed so that the doctor can look inside the body. A tissue sample may be taken at the same time. Sometimes, however, a more extensive surgical procedure may be advisable. A thoracotomy can be done to open the chest to take a tissue sample and, if feasible, to remove most or all of the visible tumor. If this procedure is done in the abdominal cavity, it is called a laparotomy.At other times, a mediastinoscopy may be done in which a very small incision is made just above the sternum (breast bone) and a tube inserted just behind the breast bone. This lets the doctors look at lymph nodes.

This are small, bean-shaped structures that are an important part of the body's immune system, and they contain cells that help your body fight infection as well as cancer. This test will give the doctor more information on the type of cancer and whether it has spread to other areas. The tissue samples taken in these procedures are analyzed by looking at them under a microscope in order to determine whether the tumor is a mesothelioma or some other type of cancer.

NORTHERN ROCK BANK COULD FACE BREAK-UP

LONDON -Troubled bank Northern Rock could be sold off following its mergency bail-out by the Bank of England, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

Northern Rock shares slumped by almost a third on Friday after the lender was bailed out by an emergency loan from the Bank of England. "Our share price has come off 30 percent," chief executive Adam Applegarth was quoted as saying by the weekly newspaper on Sunday.
"You have got to be vulnerable (to a sale) if your share price has come down.
"It's up to the bidders to make a bid." Worried customers besieged Northern Rock's 76 branches on Friday and Saturday to withdraw their savings -- despite assurances from politicians, regulators and the bank itself. More of the same is widely expected when the bank reopens on Monday.
"Things look really ugly," the paper quoted a source close to the bank as saying.
"If the share price falls heavily on Monday, then a fast break-up and sale of the assets looks inevitable."
The Sunday Telegraph added that Northern Rock's mortgage portfolio could be carved up between other major British banks in what would amount to a private-sector rescue of the lender.
Northern Rock -- Britain's fifth-biggest home loan provider -- is facing major liquidity problems due to the ongoing global credit squeeze. The group's share price plunged by 31.46 percent to close at 438 pence on Friday.

SIMPSON COOPERATING IN ARMED ROBBERY PROBE

The victim of an alleged armed robbery at a Las Vegas hotel says former NFL star O.J. Simpson was involved, but police are still investigating and no arrests have been made, a police spokesman said Friday.

A man who said he saw the incident told a reporter Simpson was taking back memorabilia that he said had been stolen from him, and no gun was used.
Simpson, speaking by phone with CNN's Ted Rowlands, also said there were no guns involved, adding, "I just wanted to get my stuff back."
Capt. James Dillon said police received a call about 8 p.m. Thursday from someone who said various sports-related items had been taken from him, and identified one of the people involved as Simpson. Officers found the hall of fame running back at a hotel, and he was being questioned as a possible suspect, Dillon said.
"He is not in custody. He is cooperating with the investigation and is meeting with robbery detectives at this time," the officer told reporters.
"We have a report from the victim that there were weapons involved, but have not recovered any," Dillon added. He called the investigation "very preliminary."Bruce Fromong, a sports memorabilia collector, was one of the alleged victims. He said "absolutely" two of the men with Simpson had guns and were pointing them at people in the room.

US HINTS AT BIGGER IRAQ PULLOUT

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has hinted at bigger cuts to troop numbers in Iraq than those approved by President George W Bush.

Mr. Gates suggested the current level of more than 160,000 soldiers could be cut to about 100,000 by the end of 2008.
Mr. Bush said on Thursday about 30,000 troops might return by next summer.
Mr. Gates spoke as a White House report suggested Iraq's government has made little progress in meeting key military and political benchmarks set by the US.
'No script'
Both Mr. Gates and Mr. Bush stressed that any reduction in troop levels would be entirely dependent on the success of their mission. The defense secretary said: "The whole situation and recommendations at this point are based on an analysis by the commander in the field, plus... the situation on the ground.
"One of the sad aspects of war is there is no script. That history hasn't been written yet. And the enemy has a vote." On Thursday night the president used a prime-time televised address to outline plans for a gradual withdrawal from Iraq and a transition to a more advisory role for US troops there.
He said he had taken the advice of the US commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, who had given his own progress report to Congress earlier this week and said the recent military "surge" in Iraq was working.

Spin jibe
The White House report, which is the Bush administration's own assessment of the situation in Iraq, says Iraq has performed satisfactorily on nine out of 18 benchmarks - one more than in July.
Among the failures, it cited militia control over security forces and a failure to enact laws on sharing oil resources. Democrats said the report showed the president's current policies were failing. "As hard as they may have tried to spin it, today's assessment by the White House... once again shows that the president's flawed escalation policy is not working," Senator Harry Reid said. The White House said US efforts in Iraq extended far beyond the 18 benchmarks, adding that many of the objectives were being met even if the formal benchmarks had not been reached.

MADELEINE MOTHER NAMED AS SUSPECT

The mother of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann has been formally declared a suspect by the Portuguese police, a family spokeswoman has said.

The BBC has learnt that the move was linked to bloodstains allegedly found in Kate and Gerry McCann's hire car.
Mrs McCann has arrived for her second police interview in 24 hours. Mr McCann is expected there shortly. Her status as "arguida" allows the authorities to put certain questions and gives her the right of silence. The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, deny any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance on 3 May.
Family spokeswomen Justine McGuinness told the BBC why the police were now treating Mrs McCann as a suspect. She said: "They believe they have evidence to show that in some way she's involved in the death of her daughter, which of course is completely ludicrous. They have suggested that blood has been found in a hire car that they hired 25 days after Madeleine was taken."
Meanwhile friends of the family said that Mrs McCann has been told by her lawyer that she could be charged in connection with the disappearance of her daughter.
A large number of journalists and members of the public were outside the police station in Portimao, Portugal, to watch Mrs McCann arrive by car.
She entered the building to the sound of a few whistles and some shouts in Portuguese from the waiting crowd.
One British tourist shouted: "We believe you, Kate." It is understood that Portuguese police have told Mrs McCann, 39, they have 22 questions they want to ask her during today's interview although they have not told her what they are.
Ms McGuinness said: "Just before the session ended last night, the police made it clear they had some further questions to ask which would require her to be in arguida status rather than just witness status."
The spokesman added: "She is shocked and surprised in several ways. First of all that such an accusation could be made against her. "And obviously she is concerned that such a line of investigation can become a distraction from further attempts to find Madeleine."
Madeleine disappeared from the family's holiday apartment while her parents were eating in a nearby restaurant. Mrs McCann had previously been interviewed before by police the day after Madeleine disappeared, but yesterday was the first time her lawyer had been present.
She was questioned as a witness until after midnight on Thursday. Police have previously said the McCanns are not suspects. In a statement released before her interview yesterday, she appealed to her daughter's abductors, saying: "It is not too late - please let her go or call the police."
She said: "We came to Portugal an ordinary family of five. We just want to know what happened on 3 May and want to be able to go home one family, reunited."
Mrs McCann will become the second formal suspect in the case. The first was Robert Murat, a British man living locally. He has not been arrested or charged.
Mrs McCann's husband Gerry, originally from Glasgow, is expected to be questioned on Friday afternoon about Madeleine's disappearance from an apartment in Praia da Luz, Algarve. It's is not known whether he too will be questioned as a suspect.
Samples, including suspected traces of blood, have been recovered from the McCanns' holiday apartment. The UK's Forensic Science Service has spent the past month analysing them.
Portuguese police spokesman Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa said partial results from tests had been received, but would give no further details.
Last week, the McCanns launched a libel action against a Portuguese newspaper which claimed they killed their daughter.
A public statement from the director of police followed, saying neither Kate nor Gerry McCann had ever been viewed as suspects. The McCanns have travelled extensively through Europe to raise awareness of the search for their daughter.

Opera legend Pavarotti dies at 71

Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti has died at his home in the northern city of Modena, his manager has announced.
The singer, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, was 71.
His charismatic performances - particularly alongside fellow tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras - helped bring a new audience to opera.
Pavarotti had cancer surgery in July 2006 in New York, five months after his last performance. He had not made any public appearances since then.
He underwent five bouts of chemotherapy in the past year, and was admitted to hospital with a fever on 8 August. He was released two weeks later following diagnostic tests.
Fellow tenor Domingo said he had "always admired the God-given glory" of Pavarotti's voice. Manager Terri Robson said in a statement that the tenor died at 0500 local time (0400 BST) on Thursday. "The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life," she said.
"In fitting with the approach that characterised his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness."
Pavarotti enjoyed 40 years on the world stage and became one of the world's biggest-selling artists. His music reached far beyond the usual opera audience, particularly his signature tune Nessun Dorma, from Puccini's Turandot, which became associated with the 1990 football World Cup.
His performances with Domingo and Jose Carerras at this time - in the Three Tenors concerts - were seen around the world. "We've reached 1.5 billion people with opera," Pavarotti told critics of the shows. "If you want to use the word commercial, or something more derogatory, we don't care. Use whatever you want." In a statement from Los Angeles, Domingo said he had fond memories of the Three Tenors shows.
"We had trouble remembering we were giving a concert before a paying audience, because we had so much fun between ourselves," he said. Nessun Dorma was part of Pavarotti's final performance, at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Turin in February 2006. Pavarotti was married to his first wife Adua, with whom he had three daughters, for 35 years until they split in 1996. He then got together with his secretary Nicoletta Mantovani, who was 26 years old at the time. In 2003, they had been due to have twins, but only one survived, a daughter called Alice. The couple married in a lavish, star-studded ceremony later that year.