Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is commonly found in people who have been repeatedly exposed to asbestos.

 

Pleural mesothelioma develops in the outside lining of the lungs and chest cavity. This lining is called the pleura, or pleural membrane, and it is made up of mesothelial cells. This pleural membrane consists of two layers - the parietal layer, and the visceral layer. The parietal layer is an outer layer that lines the entire chest cavity and diaphragm, while the visceral layer is an inner layer that covers the lungs. Together, these two layers provide support and protection for the lungs and the chest cavity.

 

Pleural mesothelioma is most commonly found in older men between the ages of 50 and 70, as asbestos was widely used in various industries from World War II until the 1970s.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

 

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include the following:

 

• Chest wall pain
• Pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue or anemia
• Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
• Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)

 

In many cases, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma do not appear until 10 to 50 years after the asbestos exposure occurred.

 

Diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma

 

Pleural mesothelioma can be very difficult to diagnose. First, it often takes a long time for the symptoms to appear, and even when they do, the symptoms are ones typically associated with other diseases like influenza or pneumonia.

 

Doctors will identify pleural mesothelioma through an x-ray or CT scan, which is then followed by fluid and tissue tests to confirm the type of cancer involved.

 

Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma

 

Once diagnosed, treatment for pleural mesothelioma begins immediately in an attempt to keep the cancer from spreading further, particularly since it has often developed already for such a long period of time. Treatments for pleural mesothelioma include:

 

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy

 

Patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma often have less than one year to live. However, recent studies suggest that 10% of pleural mesothelioma patients will live for 3-5 years after diagnosis, with about 5% surviving for five years or more.

 

 

Get Help

 

If you have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, it is important to know that help is available. Contact us today to learn more about your options.