Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma, which is a cancer affecting the mesothelium. Only around 3000 total mesothelioma cases are reported a year in the United States and the pleural form accounts for three-fourths of it. It affects the pleura, which is the lining that protects the lungs. The pleura is constructed with two membranous layers to shores up the lungs and shields the lung cavity. While the outer layer guards the chest cavity and diaphragm, the inner one called the visceral layer encompasses the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma usually attacks one of these layers initially but may spread to the other layer too. The cancer is invariably caused by the asbestos particles trapped in the spaces available between mesothelium cells after being inhaled.
Once the particles settle down, they cause some chemical reactions that result in the cells dividing without any order. This process thickens the pleural cells causing a fluid build-up called pleural effusion. This excess fluid accumulation prevents easy breathing by compressing the lungs. Intermittent dry cough, coughing up blood, difficulty in swallowing, breath shortness, unexplainable weight loss, weakness, formation of lumps under the skin around the chest etc are the most visible testimonials of pleural mesothelioma.
Diagnosing pleural mesothelioma is fraught with dangers because these symptoms can be the result of other diseases like pneumonia and influenza too. It requires proper examination of the medical history of the patient, imaging tests like CT scan, MRI, X-ray and biopsy to establish the type and class of the cancer.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma treatment generally centers on the traditional cures like surgery, chemotherapy (using chemicals to fight the remnants of cancer) and radiation. In severe cases, these may be combined for achieving better effects. However, the prognosis of this cancer is not always satisfactory since many cases get detected only at advanced infection stages. But for those diagnosed at the early stages of cancer, there is definitive reason to cheer.
Being caused by asbestos exposure, malignant pleural mesothelioma patients have the legal rights to claim for compensation from the parties who are directly responsible. The compensation amount may run into millions in some cases.
Once the particles settle down, they cause some chemical reactions that result in the cells dividing without any order. This process thickens the pleural cells causing a fluid build-up called pleural effusion. This excess fluid accumulation prevents easy breathing by compressing the lungs. Intermittent dry cough, coughing up blood, difficulty in swallowing, breath shortness, unexplainable weight loss, weakness, formation of lumps under the skin around the chest etc are the most visible testimonials of pleural mesothelioma.
Diagnosing pleural mesothelioma is fraught with dangers because these symptoms can be the result of other diseases like pneumonia and influenza too. It requires proper examination of the medical history of the patient, imaging tests like CT scan, MRI, X-ray and biopsy to establish the type and class of the cancer.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma treatment generally centers on the traditional cures like surgery, chemotherapy (using chemicals to fight the remnants of cancer) and radiation. In severe cases, these may be combined for achieving better effects. However, the prognosis of this cancer is not always satisfactory since many cases get detected only at advanced infection stages. But for those diagnosed at the early stages of cancer, there is definitive reason to cheer.
Being caused by asbestos exposure, malignant pleural mesothelioma patients have the legal rights to claim for compensation from the parties who are directly responsible. The compensation amount may run into millions in some cases.
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