Copyright (c) 2010 Daniel K Voyles
Pleura meothelioma has an effect on the liner of the lungs. This is not a primary kind of lung cancer; this is a cancer of the serous membranes. The effected cells line several organs in the middle of the body, which includes the lung area. Although pleura mesothelioma is regarded as the common of kind of the disease, it may affect the other organs as well.
The abdomen lining, peritoneum, surrounding the heart, pericardium, and then can spread to the lungs. While pleura mesothelioma is often referred to as asbestos lung cancer, it is incorrect. This particular cancer does not originate in the lungs but rather have metastasized to the lung.
Asbestosis is a form of asbestos lung disease which is incorporated in the lungs. Unfortunately it is often confused with pleura mesothelioma.
This type of cancer, pleura mesothelioma, is caused by asbestos inhalation. The asbestos becomes imbedded in the lung lining, pleura, and over a long period of time due to inflammation, can become cancerous tumors. It can take as long as 20-50 years for the cancer to develop.
In rare cases it has been associated with the inhalation of other fibrous silicates, irradiation and thorotrast (intrapleural thorium dioxide). Most commonly however, it is felt that asbestos is the main cause.
The original physical appearance is one of several growth masses. The outside surface is generally more affected than the visceral or inner surface. The lower lobes of the lungs are generally the ones that are affected and it is believed that this is due to gravity. The right lung is more frequently diagnosed also with the larger size of the lung believed to be the reason.
Usually a diagnosis is not made till there are large numbers of the tumors within the pleura. As secondary cancer pleura mesothelioma can occur from metastasis from the breast, ovaries or intestines. Lymphoma can also increase the risk of mesothelioma.
Symptoms
Initially the patient may complain of chest pain. Often the problem is not of chest pain, but rather of shoulder or stomach discomfort. The patient can become short of breath. Cough develops and weight loss due to anorexia, loss of appetite also can be present. Pleural effusion, fluid on the lungs, is also common with this type of mesothelioma. Often the fluid buildup will also be in the abdomen and be a pronounced ascites. Often that buildup of fluid is the first major complaint that the patient has.
Fatigue, anemia and blood in the sputum are also indications of the disease. It is possible to feel a mass in the abdomen and have difficulty with bowel movements.
Blood clots can develop in the veins. Low blood sugar and jaundice are listed as symptoms. The patient is also more likely to develop blood clots in the lungs.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma has a bleak prognosis. Some studies have shown that the average survival rate after positive diagnosis is about eight months. Other factors also are taken into consideration. The overall survival rate can be affected by the particular type of mesothelioma cells are present. Biphasic cells have proven to be the cells that will result in the reduced survival time.
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