The pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that attacks the mesothelial cells in the mesothelium, the tissue that forms the membranous wall of the main body organs and internal cavities.
Pleural Mesothelioma develops when cancer affects the pleura (the pleura, lung). This form of cancer is most common in the United Kingdom, followed by South Africa, then Australia and then USA, then in Eastern Europe.
The pleura has two layers that provides support and protection to the lungs and chest cavity:
-The outer or parietal layer, lines the cavity all chest and diaphragm.
-The inner or visceral layer that applies directly to the lungs.
The pleural mesothelioma can start from any of these two layers, then spread to the other layer. Exposure to asbestos has been strongly linked to development of this cancer. The toxic fibers are trapped in the spaces between mesothelial cells of the pleura.
Symptoms
The asbestos fibers trapped in the body cause cancer cells to multiply and divide without control at random. These results in thickening of the lining of the pleura and mesothelial cells, leading to accumulation of fluid in the pleural effusion (). This fluid will be accumulated gradually start pressing on the lungs and respiratory system leading and abnormal breathing difficult.
These developments eventually form the basis of most symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. These symptoms include:
A)
B) hemoptysis, coughing up blood in the sputum
C) Difficulty swallowing dysphagia ()
D) Difficulty in breathing, labored breathing known as dyspnea
E) pleurisy, pain in the chest during respiration < br />
F) development of bumps under the skin of the chest wall
G) night sweats or fever
H) unexplained weight loss
I) Fatigue
Diagnosis
As with other forms of mesothelioma, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma to show up many years after initial exposure to asbestos and symptoms are not specific to pleural mesothelioma, they occur also in some other less serious illnesses like pneumonia and lung cancer. Influenza
Download software All these factors make the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma very difficult.
Once there is a strong clinical suspicion of pleural mesothelioma, the diagnosis is then confirmed by imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, to confirm the location of the tumor. The patient is also subjected to fluids and analysis of tissue called a biopsy to confirm the type of cancer involved.
Treatment
new drugs and detection techniques have improved the outlook for patients of pleural mesothelioma.
In general, there are three main modes of treatment: surgery b))) c chemotherapy radiotherapy. Most patients receive a combination of two or more different modes of treatment.
The earlier cancer is detected, the better the prognosis and the widest range of treatment options. When the tumor is detected early, the curative surgery is done to remove the cancer, this is followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy to destroy cancer cells remains. Curative surgery is performed in patients who have good general health and whose cancer had not spread beyond the localized sections of the lungs.
The level of progression of the tumor is classified in terms of stage of cancer. The stages range from Stage 1 to Stage 4, as the degree of spread of the tumor.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 pleural mesothelioma have a better prognosis and better treatment options.
The final stages of cancer, namely step 3 and step 4 are largely confined to ways of palliative treatment to improve the quality of life and not their prognosis. These palliative treatments include excessive fluid flow in the pleural space and the surgical removal of the tumor to relieve pressure on the lungs.
According to current studies, approximately 10% of all patients with pleural mesothelioma remain in force for three to five years after diagnosis and 5% survive for 5 years and older.
