Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma
which is characterized by the formation of cancerous tumors in pleura
which is the protective lining of lung surrounding the chest cavity and
diaphragm.
Pleural Mesothelioma Causes
Like other types of
mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma is also connected to asbestos
exposure. Once asbestos fibers enter the body through inhalation they
lodged on pleura and start changing its nature after passing one or two
decades. These changes occur in the form of irritation and inflammation
which results in the formation and proliferation of cancerous cells.
Such developments lead to pleural thickening which further aggravates
the condition by building fluid in chest cavity. Fluid building in
pleural cavity put pressure on lungs and makes it difficult to breathe
easily. At this stage patient feels that something is going wrong in its
chest region which is creating problem in normal breathing and causing
persistent pain and cough for him.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Various symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
* Persistent Cough
* Persistent Pain in Chest
* Lump Formation in Chest Area
* Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
* Dyspnea (Shortness of breath)
* Dysphagia (Difficulty in swallowing)
* Weight Loss
* Fatigue and Fever
* Persistent Pain in Chest
* Lump Formation in Chest Area
* Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
* Dyspnea (Shortness of breath)
* Dysphagia (Difficulty in swallowing)
* Weight Loss
* Fatigue and Fever
Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosis
In
order to diagnose pleural mesothelioma imaging techniques including
X-rays, MRI and CT scan are applied along with taking patients' medical
history and current health state into account. All these measures helps
in diagnosing the presence of cancerous cells inside the body and level
of damage already occurred to pleural lining. If necessary then biopsy
can also be recommended to take out the sample of fluid building around
pleura through minor surgical process. This sample is then tested into
laboratory in order to trace the presence of cancerous cells inside
pleural cavity.
Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment
Like other types of mesothelioma it is also treated by applying one or combination of given treatment methods:
1- Radiotherapy (using radiations to destroy cancer cells)
2- Chemotherapy (injecting chemicals directly to affected part of pleura)
3- Surgery (cutting out the damaged portion completely)
2- Chemotherapy (injecting chemicals directly to affected part of pleura)
3- Surgery (cutting out the damaged portion completely)
The
selection of treatment method depends upon the health condition of the
patient and level of damage occurred to his body. Early diagnosis makes
it easier to treat mesothelioma. So if anyone is feeling above mentioned
symptoms then don't take it easy and take an appointment with your
physician to find out the actual cause of this internal body
disturbance.