What is Mesothelioma Of Pleura? Mesothelioma Symptoms

What is mesothelioma pleura?

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer that arises in the lungs. Almost 75% of the cases of mesothelioma diagnosed occur in the pleura, making it the most frequent of the four forms.

The cause of pleural mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos fibers that are inhaled into the lungs. Mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 50 years to grow from a person’s initial exposure to asbestos. Due to this delay time, the illness typically affects patients over 75 years of age.

The estimated life expectancy of pleural mesothelioma is frequently less than 18 months, but depending on several factors.

While there is no treatment for mesothelioma, some patients have been treated much longer. The combination of a variety of therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, has helped some patients survive for years. Clinical trials have insight into novel therapies, such as immunotherapy.

Facts of pleura mesothelioma

Most prominent mesothelioma type
Soft tissue types surrounding the lungs
Symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pressure, dry cough, and tiredness
Diagnostic tools: visual scans and tissue biopsies
Treatments: chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and experimental medicine.
Life Expectancy: Nearly 40% of the population live at least one year

What causes mesothelioma of pleura?

Asbestos causes mesothelioma of the pleural tract. After inhaling the needle-like fibers of the stone, they begin to lodge in the lungs and eventually migrate to the pleural line.

For a long period of time, these fibers cause irritation, systemic inflammation, and genetic alterations that render the cells cancerous.

These cancer cells expand rapidly and uncontrollably, threatening the organs around them.

The pleural liner is made up of two layers. The outer layer lines the entire interior of the chest cavity (within the ribs) and the inner layer protects the lungs.

A malignant tumor may grow on either layer and spread rapidly to the other layer. When tumors grow on the pleural surface, they increase to form a mass around the infected lung. They also allow pleural fluid to build up in the chest cavity.

The mixture of tumor mass in the lung and pleural fluid collection stops the lung from spreading, which creates breathing problems.

Symptoms mesothelioma of pleura

For certain cases, the symptoms of mesothelioma are not apparent until cancer is at a later stage.

Breath shortness
Chest pain or a painful breath
Persistent dry or frizzy cough
Coughing up the blood
Difficulty in swallowing
Pressure in the lower back or the rib section
Unexplained weight loss and tiredness
Swelling in your lips or limbs
Sweat sleep or fever
Lumps on the chest beneath the muscle

Patients seldom report weight loss and exhaustion after their first visit to the doctor. These signs can appear if the cancer is advanced. Any patients experience swelling of their faces or limbs, back pain, or nerve pain.

Mesothelioma of pleura option treatment

Normal care options for pleural mesothelioma may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is the most common form of pleural therapy. A mixture of therapies, known as multimodal therapy, can be used if a patient is diagnosed early. These therapies can relieve complications, such as chest pain and trouble breathing, and improve longevity.

Patients can access these treatments at top cancer centers around the country that specialize in pleural mesothelioma therapy.

Physiotherapy

Chemotherapy is the most effective cure for pleural mesothelioma. It uses one or more medications to destroy or prevent cancer cells

Surgery

Patients of pleural mesothelioma detected at an early stage benefit more from surgery. Surgery aims to eliminate cancer and prevent it from returning for as long as possible.

The two most popular pleural mesothelioma procedures are extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy and decortication. The pleural mesothelioma surgeon will decide whether you are suitable for surgery and instruct you about which treatment might be the most appropriate for your condition.

Extrapleural Pneumonia

A more aggressive surgical option, extrapleural pneumonia eliminates the pleura, the entire cancerous lung, the diaphragm, and the heart sac (pericardium).

Pleurectomy and Decortification

Pleurectomy and decortication, or radical pleurectomy, requires the removal of tumors and the pleura involved (lining of the lung).

Therapy with radiation

Radiation therapy cannot heal pleural mesothelioma, it is an important way.

External beam radiation therapy is the most common type of pleural mesothelioma radiation therapy. The sessions are quick, painless, and only take a couple of minutes.

Emerging Care

Immunotherapy, gene therapy, and photodynamic therapy are emerging therapies for pleural mesothelioma.

You will be eligible to undergo advanced treatment in a clinical trial in pleura mesothelioma. Any patients may be eligible for immunotherapy and other emerging therapies through compassionate use services.

Complementary and Complementary Drugs

Any patient can benefit by incorporating alternative therapies, such as medical marijuana, nutritional supplements, or acupuncture, with traditional cancer therapy to relieve symptoms and treatment side effects.

To prevent adverse drug reactions, please contact the care provider before beginning any additional treatment or therapy.

The content on the MarriedAndHealth website is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your own physician or other qualified health care professional regarding any medical questions or conditions. The use of MarriedAndHealth content is governed by the MarriedAndHealth Terms of Use. ©2021 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved.