Pleural Mesothelioma What is Pleural Mesothelioma? As the name implies, pleural mesothelioma is asbestos cancer of the pleura. Pleural mesothelioma is also known as malignant pleural mesothelioma which is a type of cancer that affects the pleural cavity around the lungs and is responsible for about 75% of all mesothelioma diagnosed making this mesothelioma types the most common form of asbestos lung cancer. Regardless of the area in which this asbestos cancer occurs, it is still fatal. Survival rates are usually less than 5 years after the patient has being diagnosed. The pleura is a sac which contains the lungs as well as a very thin membrane called the mesothelium. The mesothelium secretes a fluid that enables the lungs to expand and contract during breathing. Asbestos cancer causes a build-up of asbestos fibers inside the lungs and due to the sharpness of these fibers it is possible for them to penetrate the lung walls and enter the pleural cavity. As these fibers migrate from the lung into the pleural cavity, they shred and mutilate the mesothelium, eventually destroying it, possible forming mesothelioma tumors and potentially causing cancer. Once asbestos fibers reach the pleural cavity, tumors may start to develop. These tumors thickens the pleural fluid of the lungs and inhibit proper lung movement. The tumors also constricts the lungs and press on the rib cage, resulting in difficulty breathing and agonizing pain. As the lungs are responsible for re-oxygenating blood, cancer cells may spread into other parts of the body through the bloodstream in no time. Pleural Mesothelioma is also known as pleural asbestos cancer and is often confused with less serious or deadly diseases such as: - Pneumonia |
