Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma*

Pleural mesothelioma is a specific kind of mesothelioma. It is a rare cancer that grows in the mesothelium (a membrane that lines quite a few of the body's organs and cavities). In pleural mesothelioma, the cancer grows in the lining of the lungs. The lining of the lungs is called the pleura or pleural membrane.

Pleural mesothelioma is brought on by the breathing in of asbestos fibers. When these fibers get into the lungs, they can move into the pleural membrane.  Once in the pleural membrane, the human body has extreme problems  ridding the fibers. Over a lengthy period of time, ordinarily two decades or greater, asbestos fibers trigger alterations in the pleural cells. Those alterations may result in scarring of the lungs and, over an extended period, the development of tumors.

When pleural cells become cancerous, they start to divide continually, decreasing lung capacity and producing fluid accumulation between pleural membranes.  The prospects for pleural mesothelioma patients is unfortunately usually poor because it typically is captured in its later development. Nevertheless, an early medical diagnosis may significantly enhance a patient's prospects.

As with other types of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because symptoms do not typically arise for some time after initial asbestos exposure occurs. Additionally, since the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are typical of many illnesses, the condition is often mistaken for less threatening diseases such as the flu and pneumonia.

X-rays or CT-Scans are typically used to identify pleural mesothelioma.  A pleural mesothelioma medical diagnosis is made partially on symptoms, but further tests are necessary to determine the existence of cancer. Subsequent to a medical history and physical exam, affected individuals commonly go through X-rays or CT scans, to confirm the area of cancer. A sufferer also generally goes through fluid and tissue tests, or biopsies, to determine the type of cancer. Once tests and biopsies verify a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma, those test outcomes are utilized to create a treatment strategy.

*The above information is very general in nature and should not be considered or relied upon as legal or any other type of advice. If a reader has any legal problem immediately consult an attorney for specific legal advice. If a reader has a medical or psychological issue, immediately consult with a medical professional. See the disclaimer tab at the top of the page for more information.

Photo credit

* The picture does not depict pleural mesothelioma, but rather it is an image of a pulmonary infarction of the lung. Click on the photo credit for more information.