Pleural Mesothelioma - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Care

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the pleura of the lungs along with the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the internal lining of the lungs and of other internal organs, such as heart, chest, abdomen, and the area around the heart. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma cancer, accounts for over two-third of all the cases and can be fatal if it is not diagnosed oris left untreated. It sometimes takes up to 10 years or more for symptoms to manifest. Early diagnosis can aid in the treatment and prevention of the disease and extend the survival rate.

What are the Causes of Pleural Mesothelioma?

Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in a variety of industrial and construction applications. Asbestos fibers are lightweight and extremely durable, and cannot be easily removed from the body once introduced to the internal tissue. Upon inhalation, particles of asbestos become lodged in the pleura and surrounding mesothelium, damaging the tissue and causing the mesothelial cells of the pleura to become abnormal which ultimately leads to the development of mesothelioma.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are not specific and are often associated with other common ailments. People with a history of asbestos exposure should have regular checkups with their physician, making sure that the doctor is aware that they have been exposed to asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma can remain unknown for 10, 20, even as many as 50 years from the time of exposure to disease progression. Some common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

  • Breathlessness
  • Chest pain
  • Weight Loss
  • Pleural effusion
  • ight sweats
  • Cough
  • Sweating
  • Fever
  • Bloody sputum
  • Wheezing
  • Fatigue
  • Exhaustion
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Anemia

Diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma

Early diagnosis can extend a patient’s life years beyond that of a typical mesothelioma patient; however, diagnosis of this type of cancer is somewhat tricky. If you have asbestos exposure history, visit your doctor and share your concerns regarding pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma diagnosis can be made through medical imaging, physical exam, x-ray, biopsy and collection of fluid samples. These diagnostic methods are used to describe the size, location, and type of the tumor. Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, oncologists determine the best course of mesothelioma treatment. Treatment is decided on the basis of the patient’s general health, stage of the disease, age, weight and gender.

Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Options

There is no complete cure for pleural mesothelioma, however treatment methods may prevent the condition from getting worse and can increase a person’s life expectancy. There are various treatment options for pleural mesothelioma patients. They include:

  • Chemotherapy
    Chemotherapy is the most prevalent treatment for pleural mesothelioma patients. Several chemotherapy drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration are used to kill cancerous cells. Some chemotherapy drugs that are most commonly used to treat pleural mesothelioma are Alimta(Pemetrexed), Cisplatin, Gemcitabine, Navelbine, Coramsine, Endostatin and Onconase.
  • Radiation Therapy
    Radiation therapy is also used in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma, however it is not considered very effective. Radiation therapy kills cancerous cells by utilizing internal or external beam radiation. Internal radiation is delivered into the body and external radiation is provided by a linear accelerator to mutate tumor cells within the body and slow their growth.
  • Surgery
    Another treatment option for pleural mesothelioma patients is surgery. However, in later stages, surgical resection is somewhat difficult because at this stage tumor has typically metastasized to other areas of the body, like the abdominal cavity and lymph nodes. Surgery in early stages can be helpful in slowing the progression of disease.

Common surgical procedures used in pleural mesothelioma management are pneumonectomy and extra pleural pneumonectomy.

Pneumonectomy involves the removal of a either a portion of or the entire affected lung in patients. Itis used to alleviate the discomfort caused by symptoms such as shortness of breath related to fluid in the pleura pushing against the lungs.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a more comprehensive procedure which involves the removal of the entire affected lung, the pleura, the diaphragm, and the pericardium, which is the mesothelial lining that surrounds the heart cavity. This method can slow or stop the growth of the disease and can extend a patient's life.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Alternative therapies are also effective for pleural mesothelioma patients fighting for life. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, and reflexology help the patient manage pain and anxiety. However, it is advised that the patients should seek the consultation of their oncologist before engaging in any alternative therapy. Most of these therapies are preferential and it depends on the patient’s health whether he will be able to engage in it or not.

Pleural mesothelioma is not curable but it can be treated. The treatment options can increase the life expectancy among patients.