Pleural Mesothelioma

Cancer that affects the mesothelium, a lining that surrounds many areas of the body, including the pulmonary and cardiac organs, is known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma occurs when the cells in the mesothelium divide uncontrollably.

Types of Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma develops in the pulmonary (lungs) area, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdominal area, pericardial mesothelioma develops in the cardiac (heart) area, and testicular mesothelioma develops in the male genital area. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common, making up approximately 75% of the cases.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is the major cause of pleural mesothelioma, and was utilized for many industrial and household applications over the last century and a half. The mineral was advantageous to use in manufacturing processes. In the early 20th century, it was discovered that it posed significant health risks to people who were exposed to asbestos. Employers as varied as industrial plants to the United States Navy were aware of these dangers, but did not inform their employees and did not keep them from being exposed to the minerals. In the late 1980s, asbestos was banned in the U.S., barring a few highly regulated applications.

Latency Period

When someone is exposed to asbestos, fibers become embedded in the body. They aggravate the cells and result in cancerous growths. Someone who has undergone exposure may live for several decades without developing any symptoms. The latency period of mesothelioma can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

Indicators of pleural mesothelioma are frequently mistaken for symptoms of minor ailments at first, which can delay diagnosis. The symptoms include fatigue, coughing, back or chest pain, swelling, perspiration, and a hoarse voice.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

A physical examination, samples from fluid and tissues, and imaging can diagnose pleural mesothelioma. The cancer can spread to other parts of the body in a process known as metastasis. Physicians use what is known as “staging” of the disease to indicate the extent to which the tumor has spread, and to categorize its size. The staging systems include the Butchart System, the TNM System, and the Brigham System.

Treating the Disease

After diagnosis, the patient and the doctor should discuss treatment options, which will take into consideration the patient’s desires, in addition to other factors. Radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy are the most often used treatments. Radiation can be used either internally, from within the body, or externally, from outside the body. Radiation in general can destroy malignant cells, but it is not seen as the best choice for mesothelioma treatment.

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to destroy the malignancy. This type of therapy can be used in cases in which the disease has spread or has come back after remission.

Surgical Options

One kind of surgery is used simply to relieve the suffering the patient experiences while the disease runs its course; another version is done to prolong the life of the patient. Breathing difficulties can be relieved by draining fluid buildup, known as a thoracentesis, or through injections of drugs or other substances to keep fluid from accumulating, known as pleurodesis. These treatments for pleural mesothelioma can help prolong a patient’s life, but they usually cannot cure the disease.