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Malignant pleural
mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, making
up over two-thirds of all cases. Pleural mesothelioma affects
the lining of the lung and chest cavity known as the pleura.
The pleura is made up of the parietal and visceral pleura. The
parietal pleura lines the chest wall and diaphragm while the
visceral pleura lines the lungs.
Pleural thickening regularly contracts the breathing space,
causing shortness of breath—often the first symptom for
pleural mesothelioma. The fluid, once vigilantly measured to
allow smooth movement between the lungs and other organs, now
causes increased pressure, further hindering breathing. This
surplus fluid is often seen on X-rays, and is referred to as
a pleural effusion.
Pleural mesothelioma, like all kinds of mesothelioma, can be
complicated to diagnose or easily misdiagnosed. If you are aware
of prior asbestos exposure, it is important to inform your physician
so that mesothelioma symptoms can be suitably identified.
While a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma is certainly serious,
it is not without options. A selection of new and novel mesothelioma
treatments are available, as are a diversity of clinical trials.
Pleural Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma of the Pleura
Pleural mesothelioma is a sickness that affects the lining of
the lungs, or lung pleura. Sometimes doctors refer to this disease
as mesothelioma of the pleura. It is a common misconception
that mesothelioma is a type of primary lung cancer; it is not.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the serous membranes. The most general
type of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, affects the serous
membranes of the lungs.
Mesothelioma can also influence the serous membranes surrounding
the abdomen, called peritoneal mesothelioma, and the membranes
surrounding the heart, or pericardial mesothelioma. When mesothelioma
spreads to the lungs from the serous linings of the lungs, abdomen
or heart, it is considered secondary lung cancer. Also, pleural
mesothelioma is sometimes referred to as an asbestos lung cancer.
Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer
Pleural mesothelioma cancer represents about 75 percent of all
mesothelioma cases. This disease is caused by the inhalation
of asbestos fibers, which then settle in the lungs. These asbestos
fibers become imbedded in the lining of the lung.
Pleural mesothelioma cancer normally appears as several tumor
masses affecting the parietal exterior and visceral surface
of the pleura. This is reflection to be due to gravitational
factors influencing how the asbestos fibers resolve in the lungs
after they have been inhaled.
Large growths in the pleura are usually noted in patients upon
diagnosis. The tumors can spread from the lung pleura to other
organs, including the feeling and abdomen. Mesothelioma can
also invade the lymph nodes and circulatory system.
The most general form of non-pleural mesothelioma cancer that
occurs is lung cancer, representing about 36 % of the cancer
occurring in the pleura. The next most common forms are breast
cancer 25 %, ovarian cancer 5 % and gastric cancer 2 %.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
The most general symptom for pleural mesothelioma patients is
chest pain. Cough, weight loss and anorexia are present in some
patients, but are less common. Finally, the rapid growth of
the pleural mesothelioma cancer tumors enlarges the pleural
space, causing it to fill with fluid, which leads to the discomfort
or pain associated with first detection of the disease.
Pleural mesothelioma patients display all three types of mesothelioma
cancer cells: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma
and biphasic mesothelioma.
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