Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma, accounting for two-thirds of all cases. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that attacks the outer lining of the body's vital organs. Pleural mesothelioma is the term used to describe the type of mesothelioma that attacks the outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity known as the pleura.

What causes pleural mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is the only form of cancer that is directly linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a mineral that, when disturbed, breaks apart into loose microscopic strands that can be easily inhaled or swallowed.

Once swallowed, the fibers can work their way into the pleura and after a period of time, can cause malignant or cancerous cells to develop. The cells then begin to divide and reproduce at a high speed, causing the pleura to thicken and generate excess fluid.

As the pleura thickens, the breathing space gets tighter, causing shortness of breath and discomfort in the lungs and chest.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma

Shortness of breath and chest pain are usually the first symptoms an individual with pleural mesothelioma will experience. Because chest pain and shortness of breath can be attributed to many other illnesses, pleural mesothelioma is often not discovered until it is at a level that cannot be treated. Following are some of the other symptoms individuals with pleural mesothelioma may experience:

• Wheezing
• Excessive coughing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Coughing up blood

Treatments for pleural mesothelioma

A cure for mesothelioma has not been discovered; however, there are various ways to treat the rare form of cancer:

• Surgery : Surgery is a common treatment of pleural mesothelioma. Depending on the severity of the cancer, parts of the chest cavity and lungs must be removed. Sometimes it is necessary for an entire lung to be removed.
• Chemotherapy: This is the term used to describe the use of medication to treat pleural mesothelioma. Most chemotherapy treatments involve a combination of drugs.
• Radiation therapy : This is the process of using high energy X-rays, gamma rays or neutrons to kill the cancerous cells.
• Immunotherapy : This is a new treatment that uses the body's own immune systems to fight the cancer cells. Research is still being conducted to determine how effective immunotherapy is for pleural mesothelioma patients.

If you are experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma and have a history of asbestos exposure, consult with a physician immediately. The earlier you seek treatment, the better your prognosis.