Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of asbestos-caused cancer that affects the tissue lining the lung cavity (pleura). Pleural mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as a type of lung cancer because of its close proximity to the lungs. Whereas lung cancer affects the lung tissue, pleural mesothelioma affects the pleura surrounding the lungs. The only known cause of pleural mesothelioma is exposure to a carcinogenic mineral called asbestos.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma, accounting for approximately 75 percent of all confirmed mesothelioma cases. It is one of three types of malignant mesothelioma, the other two of which are peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the tissue lining the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the tissue lining the heart.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma is a latent disease that can take anywhere from 30 to 50 years to fully mature and become symptomatic. The most common presenting symptom of pleural mesothelioma is chest pain. Typically, the chronic nature of chest pain associated with pleural mesothelioma forces sufferers to seek medical attention, at which point a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis can be made.
Pleural mesothelioma chest pain results from an accumulation of fluid between the lungs and the pleura. This fluid buildup is referred to as pleural effusion. It can be drained through an invasive procedure called a pleural tap (thoracentesis).
In addition to chest pain, there are a number of common symptoms associated with pleural mesothelioma, some of which include:
- Breathing difficulties (dyspnea)
- Persistent, dry coughing
- Weight loss
- Sleep irregularities
It is important to visit a doctor following development of any of the aforementioned symptoms. If a case of pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed early, a specialist will have more options in planning treatment.
Pleural Mesothelioma Prognosis & Treatment
Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that has thus far proven incurable.
Median survival times vary based on the type of malignant mesothelioma. Studies have determined that the median survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is less than one year. Although treatments cannot provide a cure for the disease, they can extend survival well beyond the median and/or alleviate associated pain and discomfort. Patients who undergo intensive treatments with a mesothelioma specialist may see their survival rate increase up to five years.
Traditional treatments for pleural mesothelioma are the same as those used to treat other cancers: surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Traditional treatments are often used in conjunction with one another (multimodal therapy) to enhance their effect. In certain cases, all three treatments are used (trimodal therapy) to remove and destroy as many mesothelioma cells as possible.
Newer, non-traditional mesothelioma treatments may also be incorporated in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma. Faced with the grim prognosis associated with pleural mesothelioma and traditional treatment methods, sufferers may seek alternative treatments. One of the more aggressive alternative treatments for pleural mesothelioma is extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP).
EPP is a major surgery that involves removal of the diaphragm, the pleura and the lung nearest the mesothelioma tumor. Many pleural mesothelioma patients who undergo EPP experience an increased survival rate of up to five years. The aggressive surgery has proven to be one of the more effective treatments for pleural mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma Victims’ Rights
Pleural mesothelioma victims are advised to consult with an attorney in addition to a mesothelioma medical specialist. A mesothelioma attorney can help to trace a case of malignant mesothelioma to a victim’s exposure to asbestos. Asbestos litigation is designed to compensate those who have been affected or injured by asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma lawsuit can help to defray the costs associated with treatment and loss of work, as well as compensate for pain and suffering.
Our attorneys are gifted California mesothelioma lawyers who have filed a number of mesothelioma lawsuits in California and across the country. These lawsuits have helped our clients to receive compensation for the devastating illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.
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Levin Simes Kaiser & Gornick, LLP
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San Francisco, CA 94104
Ph: 1.800.901.4001
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