Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

What is malignant pleural mesothelioma?

Malignant pleural mesothelioma causes a thickening of the pleura that gradually contracts the breathing space, causing shortness of breath. The thickening of the pleura is often the first symptom for pleural mesothelioma. Other common symptoms may include chest pain, fluid buildup in the chest cavity, and persistent coughing. It is hard to obtain a correct diagnosis because the symptoms are easily confused with a cold or pneumonia. Sometimes it is even misdiagnosed as lung cancer. Some patients may have no symptoms at all and are “accidentally” diagnosed through other non-related medical exams. It can take up to 30 to 50 years after asbestos exposure for any symptoms to appear.

Pleural mesothelioma is usually seen through a chest x-ray and/or CT scan. This is normally followed by a bronchoscopy (a small scope used to look at the inside of the lungs). A positive diagnosis is made by taking a biopsy of the affected tissue. Obtaining biopsies is not usually painful, and when a biopsy is taken the patient normally receives anesthesia.

Once diagnosis is made and the stage of the cancer known (how far the cancer has spread), treatment options may be discussed. These options may be surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, clinical trials, or a combination of these. It is important to know that there is no known cure of mesothelioma and the disease has a 100% fatality rate, but treatment can prolong the life of the patient and alleviate some painful symptoms. Clinical trials offer hope to the patient in finding a cure by trying out new experimental drugs and therapies. In addition to these treatments, doctors may drain the excess fluid that has accumulated in the chest cavity to relieve pressure. Most mesothelioma victims survive for about 12-24 months after diagnosis.

The only known way to not contract any type of mesothelioma is to avoid contact with asbestos.