Pleural Mesothelioma Facts

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the pleural sac that surrounds the lungs, and is caused by exposure to asbestos. It is an aggressive form of cancer that originates in the mesothelial cells lining the pleura, a membrane that covers the lungs and lines the chest cavity. It usually appears as multiple tumor masses affecting the parietal surface (inside closer to the lung) and visceral surface (outside further from the lung) of the pleura.

In the advanced stages of pleural mesothelioma, the cancer may spread to other nearby organs, including the heart, abdomen, and lymph nodes. Pleural mesothelioma cancer represents about 75% of all mesothelioma cases. Patients with pleural mesothelioma display all three types of mesothelioma cancer cells: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Pleural mesothelioma, like all kinds of mesothelioma, can be difficult to diagnose, and it is easily misdiagnosed. It often takes weeks or even months before a correct diagnosis is made, and because the disease usually takes between 20 and 50 years to surface, past exposure to asbestos often doesn't come to mind when attempting to make a diagnosis or when patients discuss their medical history. Unfortunately, because it is often so difficult to diagnose, the disease is most often in an advanced stage when it is finally discovered.

Ultimately, a definitive diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma is achieved by the use of sophisticated x-rays such as CT scans and MRI, as well as biopsy, the sampling of tissue or fluid around the lungs. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, early diagnosis provides doctors the opportunity to relieve a great deal of suffering, and prolong and improve many patients’ lives.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma often make it indistinguishable from other diseases and illnesses. The most common symptoms for pleural mesothelioma patients are shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space. Pleural mesothelioma is often confused with pneumonia, the common cold, whooping cough, influenza, laryngitis, and even bruised or broken ribs, due to chest pain.

Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment

Standard treatment options for pleural mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Because mesothelioma is such a rare and serious disease, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with pleural mesothelioma.