Pleural Mesothelioma - Know Treatment And Diagnosis
Pleural mesothelioma is a rare and malignant type of cancer caused by asbestos. Which mesothelioma tumor is formed in the pleura, a thin membrane of cells lining the lungs and chest wall.
Anywhere from 20 to 50 years can pass between the time a person is exposed to asbestos and when pleural mesothelioma symptoms begin to appear. As soon as symptoms start occurs, they often appear first in the chest and respiratory system, though some symptoms (such as weight loss or fever) may be systemic.
Pleural mesothelioma can also be accompanied by a set of other conditions that can display their own symptoms. These include:
Pleural plaques - calcium substances formed in the lungs due to calcification Thickening pleural thickening (DPT) - Gray, fibrous tissue that fills the pleura Asbestosis - Scarring in the lungs (fibrosis) This condition can also occur alone in individuals who do not has pleural mesothelioma.
Like all types of mesothelioma, the prognosis for pleural mesothelioma is relatively poor. For patients who did not receive treatment appropriately, survival averaged only six months; However, some types of treatment can improve prognosis significantly. Studies have shown that patients who receive chemotherapy treatment of pemetrexed cocktail (Alimta) and cisplatin have longer lasting time (about 1-12 months) than chemotherapy using cisplatin alone (1-9 months). The biggest factors that influence the prognosis of pleural mesothelioma patients are:
In general, a female patient, younger, or having an early-stage diagnosis (Stage 1 or Stage 2) has a better prognosis than men, older, or has a late-stage diagnosis.
Symptoms of malignant pleural mesothelioma often present with symptoms similar to other diseases, so the diagnosis is very difficult in most cases. The most common way to diagnose this disease is to undergo a series of tests that can exclude other diseases, including various types of cancer.
The first step usually performs one or more imaging scans (x-ray, CT, PET, or MRI) to identify potential tumors. If such a tumor is detected, one or more blood tests can be performed to look for a particular biomarker (high specific levels of a substance in the blood). If this test leads to a possible mesothelioma, the diagnosis needs to be verified through a biopsy - usually through thoracoscopy, thoracotomy, thoracentesis, or mediastinoscopy.
The most common diagnostic errors for pleural mesothelioma include:
All types of mesothelioma are treated using a combination of three types of therapy:
Surgery - Cytoreduction surgery (also called "debulking") is often done with the intention of removing as many cancer cells as possible.
Chemotherapy - The combination of chemotherapy drugs (usually pemetrexed [Alimta] and Cisplatin) is given to kill the remaining tumor cells.
Radiation - A radiation explosion targeted to shrink the tumor in the body.
Pleurektomi / Dekortikasi (P / D)
This type of surgery involves the release of the parietal pleura (the outer membrane) as well as some of the nearest organs and tissues, such as the mediastinum, diaphragm, and
pericardium. Although it can help treat many symptoms of mesothelioma - such as
pleural effusion - is not considered a curative surgery, and results in a relapse of about 80-90 percent of the time. Because P / D is usually less stressful in the body, it is usually offered as a palliative care patient who has an advanced stage of his illness, or when the choice curative not worth it.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) Patients who are in better physical condition may undergo EPP, which is a potentially curative treatment that removes the affected pleura along with a portion of the lungs, nearby lymph nodes, and surrounding tissues. This is the only type of surgery associated with long-term survival.
Due to its highly invasive and stressful body, EPP is used almost exclusively for patients who meet the following criteria:
Because pleural mesothelioma forms most cases of mesothelioma, most experimental treatments focus on pleural mesothelioma. The most promising experimental treatments are as follows.
Immunotherapy: This treatment focuses on jumpstarting or improving the immune system to fight cancer.
Gene Therapy: Gene therapy involves the repair of genetic problems that are the source of cancer cells.
Photodynamic Therapy: Through photosensitization agents and light sources, researchers have been able to kill cancer cells.
As one of the most common types of asbestos-related cancers, malignant pleural mesothelioma accounts for about 80-90 percent of all cases of mesothelioma. Which distinguishes pleural mesothelioma from other types of them in:
Location: Pleural mesothelioma lies in the lining of the lungs and chest wall, which is
known as the pleura.
Symptoms: Pleural mesothelioma: Because the disease mostly affects the lungs, the symptoms affect the respiratory system, such as shortness of breath, or chest cavity, such as chest pain.
Treatment: Pleural mesothelioma: Standard treatment for pleural mesothelioma
is surgery, which often involves removing part or all of the pleura and possibly the lung part, combined with chemotherapy and / or radiation.
Survival: Prognosis for poor pleural mesothelioma, with an average survival time of about 1 year. However, there are cases of long-term survival, in some cases for 20 years.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of asbestos-related cancer.
About 2,500 people are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma every year.
Standard treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Like all types of cancer, pleural mesothelioma treatment costs can be very high. The costs associated with this disease can be equated to several categories:
will likely depend on various factors, such as proper diagnosis, the stage when the disease is diagnosed, what is covered by the insurance, and even where the patient is located. Because asbestos is the only cause of scientifically proven mesothelioma, those diagnosed with this deadly cancer may be able to receive legal compensation for various things, from loss of income to medical expenses, as well as damage due to pain and suffering associated with the disease. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, you should consider taking steps to help offset this potential financial burden.
Learn more about the financial help that is available if you or someone
the beloved has been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. Help options
the finances available to you may include mesothelioma trust funds as well as grants to cover travel, maintenance and housing.
You can also explore your legal right to compensation from the asbestos company responsible for your exposure to asbestos.
What are the Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma?
Anywhere from 20 to 50 years can pass between the time a person is exposed to asbestos and when pleural mesothelioma symptoms begin to appear. As soon as symptoms start occurs, they often appear first in the chest and respiratory system, though some symptoms (such as weight loss or fever) may be systemic.
- General Symptoms
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion)
- Dry cough
- Less Common Symptoms
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Sweating at night
Pleural mesothelioma can also be accompanied by a set of other conditions that can display their own symptoms. These include:
Pleural plaques - calcium substances formed in the lungs due to calcification Thickening pleural thickening (DPT) - Gray, fibrous tissue that fills the pleura Asbestosis - Scarring in the lungs (fibrosis) This condition can also occur alone in individuals who do not has pleural mesothelioma.
What is the Prognosis for Pleural Mesothelioma?
Like all types of mesothelioma, the prognosis for pleural mesothelioma is relatively poor. For patients who did not receive treatment appropriately, survival averaged only six months; However, some types of treatment can improve prognosis significantly. Studies have shown that patients who receive chemotherapy treatment of pemetrexed cocktail (Alimta) and cisplatin have longer lasting time (about 1-12 months) than chemotherapy using cisplatin alone (1-9 months). The biggest factors that influence the prognosis of pleural mesothelioma patients are:
- Size of tumor and staging
- Cell type (histopathology)
- Sex and age of patient
- Stage of cancer
In general, a female patient, younger, or having an early-stage diagnosis (Stage 1 or Stage 2) has a better prognosis than men, older, or has a late-stage diagnosis.
How Is Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Symptoms of malignant pleural mesothelioma often present with symptoms similar to other diseases, so the diagnosis is very difficult in most cases. The most common way to diagnose this disease is to undergo a series of tests that can exclude other diseases, including various types of cancer.
The first step usually performs one or more imaging scans (x-ray, CT, PET, or MRI) to identify potential tumors. If such a tumor is detected, one or more blood tests can be performed to look for a particular biomarker (high specific levels of a substance in the blood). If this test leads to a possible mesothelioma, the diagnosis needs to be verified through a biopsy - usually through thoracoscopy, thoracotomy, thoracentesis, or mediastinoscopy.
The most common diagnostic errors for pleural mesothelioma include:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- Influenza (flu)
- Other chest cancers, such as lung cancer or adenocarcinoma
What treatments are available for pleural mesothelioma?
All types of mesothelioma are treated using a combination of three types of therapy:
Surgery - Cytoreduction surgery (also called "debulking") is often done with the intention of removing as many cancer cells as possible.
Chemotherapy - The combination of chemotherapy drugs (usually pemetrexed [Alimta] and Cisplatin) is given to kill the remaining tumor cells.
Radiation - A radiation explosion targeted to shrink the tumor in the body.
Pleurektomi / Dekortikasi (P / D)
This type of surgery involves the release of the parietal pleura (the outer membrane) as well as some of the nearest organs and tissues, such as the mediastinum, diaphragm, and
pericardium. Although it can help treat many symptoms of mesothelioma - such as
pleural effusion - is not considered a curative surgery, and results in a relapse of about 80-90 percent of the time. Because P / D is usually less stressful in the body, it is usually offered as a palliative care patient who has an advanced stage of his illness, or when the choice curative not worth it.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) Patients who are in better physical condition may undergo EPP, which is a potentially curative treatment that removes the affected pleura along with a portion of the lungs, nearby lymph nodes, and surrounding tissues. This is the only type of surgery associated with long-term survival.
Due to its highly invasive and stressful body, EPP is used almost exclusively for patients who meet the following criteria:
Stage 1 or 2 mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma epithelial cells
- Never had coronary bypass surgery or pleura
- Measurement of cardiac ejection fraction of 45 percent or more (this measures how well your heart pumps blood)
- There is no cardiac dysfunction and / or arrhythmia
- There is no liver disease, kidney, or the like
Emerging and Experimental Treatments
Because pleural mesothelioma forms most cases of mesothelioma, most experimental treatments focus on pleural mesothelioma. The most promising experimental treatments are as follows.
Immunotherapy: This treatment focuses on jumpstarting or improving the immune system to fight cancer.
Gene Therapy: Gene therapy involves the repair of genetic problems that are the source of cancer cells.
Photodynamic Therapy: Through photosensitization agents and light sources, researchers have been able to kill cancer cells.
Source for Pleural Mesothelioma Patients
- Ask for Free Pleura Pleural Treatment Guide
- Connect with Top Oncology Mesothelioma
- Find the Nearest Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Sign up for Our Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Alert
- Support the Beloved Diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma
- Financial Aid is Available to Help Medical Expenses
How Does Pleural Mesothelioma Differ From Other Types?
As one of the most common types of asbestos-related cancers, malignant pleural mesothelioma accounts for about 80-90 percent of all cases of mesothelioma. Which distinguishes pleural mesothelioma from other types of them in:
Location: Pleural mesothelioma lies in the lining of the lungs and chest wall, which is
known as the pleura.
Symptoms: Pleural mesothelioma: Because the disease mostly affects the lungs, the symptoms affect the respiratory system, such as shortness of breath, or chest cavity, such as chest pain.
Treatment: Pleural mesothelioma: Standard treatment for pleural mesothelioma
is surgery, which often involves removing part or all of the pleura and possibly the lung part, combined with chemotherapy and / or radiation.
Survival: Prognosis for poor pleural mesothelioma, with an average survival time of about 1 year. However, there are cases of long-term survival, in some cases for 20 years.
What You Need to Know About Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of asbestos-related cancer.
About 2,500 people are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma every year.
Standard treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
- Because
- Asbestos inhaled
- Location
- Lung / lining chest (pleura)
- General Symptoms
- Chest pain
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Pleural effusion (fluid accumulation)
- Treatment
- Operation
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Prognosis
- 6 - 12 months
Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Costs
Like all types of cancer, pleural mesothelioma treatment costs can be very high. The costs associated with this disease can be equated to several categories:
- Cost of diagnostic testing
- Cost of treatment
- Follow-up and recovery costs
- How many individuals (and their families) spend on mesothelioma
will likely depend on various factors, such as proper diagnosis, the stage when the disease is diagnosed, what is covered by the insurance, and even where the patient is located. Because asbestos is the only cause of scientifically proven mesothelioma, those diagnosed with this deadly cancer may be able to receive legal compensation for various things, from loss of income to medical expenses, as well as damage due to pain and suffering associated with the disease. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, you should consider taking steps to help offset this potential financial burden.
Learn more about the financial help that is available if you or someone
the beloved has been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. Help options
the finances available to you may include mesothelioma trust funds as well as grants to cover travel, maintenance and housing.
You can also explore your legal right to compensation from the asbestos company responsible for your exposure to asbestos.
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