Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is the form most prevalent as a result of exposure to asbestos fibers. It accounts for about 75% of all mesothelioma cases. Sometimes mesothelioma has benign tumors but most times, it is the malignant form. Asbestos fibers are the risk factor that results in pleural mesothelioma 10 to 50 years after exposure.
Pleural mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lungs. The lining around each lung is the pleura, around both lungs pleural, thus the name pleural mesothelioma. There are several symptoms that can appear which are non-specific and could be associated with a number of more common illnesses and diseases. It is the long latency period that makes mesothelioma so difficult to diagnose.
If your doctor is unaware that you previously worked with asbestos time may be wasted running tests for a wide range of diseases like pneumonia. If you have worked with asbestos, it is important that you always keep this in mind should symptoms that could be relevant materialize.
Some of the more common symptoms include a persistent cough, rasping, fever, facial swelling, problems swallowing, coughing up blood, and weight loss. Some also experience shortness of breath with is often mistaken for pneumonia. This is caused because the pleural thickens due to the tumor spreading. The thicker it becomes the less area there is for the lungs to work properly and breathing becomes difficult. There can also be severe pain in the ribs or chest caused by the spreading of the cancer cells or tumor.
The treatment action of pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors. The patient’s age, general well being, medical history, even their weight are all taken into consideration when a treatment plan is determined. How and where the cancer has spread will also be considered.
There are three main treatment options. Since mesothelioma is fatal, these treatments are designed to extend life and reduce or even eliminate pain. Quality of life is important.
In the early stages, surgery might be an option to remove a tumor and cancer cells. It can also be used to drain the fluid from around the lungs making the patient more comfortable.
Chemotherapy is used to kill and shrink cancerous cells and tumors. The chemo drugs are either taken by mouth in tablet form or administered into the muscle or vein using an injection. Radiation therapy is used to shrink the tumor and kill the cancer cells. There are two forms of radiation – external and internal.
Many times these treatments are combined to give the patient the optimum treatment. Pleural mesothelioma is fatal but with treatment, quality of life can be optimized and extended.