Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Around 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of pleural mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Treatment includes the surgical removal of cancerous tissues, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. The prognosis (outlook) is generally poor but can improve significantly if pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed and treated early.
This article looks at the symptoms and causes of pleural mesothelioma, including how this uncommon form of lung cancer is diagnosed and treated. It also describes the current survival rates based on the stage of the disease.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Cancer causes the pleura to overproduce fluids and stops fluids from draining as they normally would. The buildup of fluids exerts extreme pressure not only on the lungs but also on theesophagus(feeding tube),trachea(windpipe), andlarynx(voice box).
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma often include:
These symptoms usually appear in the advanced stages of the disease. People in the early stages of pleural mesothelioma may experience little to no symptoms.
What is the difference between pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma?Pleural mesothelioma begins in the sheets of tissue that cover the lungs, called the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma grows in the tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen, called the peritoneum.
What is the difference between pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma?
Pleural mesothelioma begins in the sheets of tissue that cover the lungs, called the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma grows in the tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen, called the peritoneum.
Pleural Mesothelioma Causes
Studies suggest that the needle-like asbestos fibers can burrow into tissues and cause chronic irritation that leads to changes in a cell’s DNA. This, in turn, can lead to cancer in some people.
A growing number of older adults are developing this form of cancer as a result of exposure to large amounts of asbestos between 1940 and 1980 (before the dangers ofasbestosiswere well known).
Occupations like construction, shipbuilding, pipefitting, and auto repair place individuals at the greatest risk of asbestos exposure. Construction on older homes and buildings continues to be of special concern given the high likelihood that materials containing asbestos were used.
Asbestos Ban in the U.S.On March 18, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the complete ban on asbestos under an amendment to the Toxic Substances Control Act of 2016.
Asbestos Ban in the U.S.
On March 18, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the complete ban on asbestos under an amendment to the Toxic Substances Control Act of 2016.
In addition to asbestos, some people may have been known to develop pleural mesothelioma after exposure to high-dose radiation or getting viral infections likecytomegalovirus(CMV).
How Pleural Mesothelioma Is Diagnosed
Pleural mesothelioma can be diagnosed through a physical exam and review of medical history, during which a healthcare provider will ask you about past occupations and your family history of cancer.
Lab tests cannot diagnose pleural mesothelioma but can provide a high level of suspicion. These include blood tests called theMESOMARK assay, N-ERC/mesothelin test, and fibulin-3 test.
If pleural mesothelioma is suspected, you would be referred to a cancer specialist called anoncologistfor additional testing.
Procedures you might undergo include:
Staging Pleural Effusion
If pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed, additional tests would be ordered to stage the disease. Staging determines how advanced and extensive the cancer is and helps direct the appropriate course of treatment.
Staging is based on the TNM classification system which looks at characteristics of the tumor (T), the number of lymph nodes with cancer in them (N), and whether the cancer hasmetastasized, or spread (M).
There are four stages to pleural mesothelioma:
How Is Pleural Mesothelioma Treated?
Pleural mesothelioma typically involves surgical treatment to either cure or control the chance. This may include the removal of cancerous tissues, removal of the pleura, or removal of the entire lung along with the pleura andendocardium(the lining around the heart).
Others may be candidates for treatments such as:
The treatment plan is based largely on the stage of the disease and whether the treatment is meant to be curative (able to cure cancer),palliative(used to ease symptoms), or used to slow disease progression.
What Is the Survival Rate for Pleural Mesothelioma?
Healthcare providers often use repeat tests to determine the effectiveness of treatment methods that were used. This will allow healthcare providers to determine the next course of action to address the effects of pleural mesothelioma.
The prognosis of pleural mesothelioma is highly dependent on whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and how severe the existing cancer is.
According to the American Cancer Society, the relative five-year survival rate for pleural mesothelioma (meaning the percentage of people living with the disease forat leastfive years following treatment) is:
Summary
Pleural mesothelioma can be diagnosed with a combination of imaging studies, blood tests, and a tissue biopsy. The treatment typically involves surgery but may also include radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drugs. The prognosis and long-term survival are better if the cancer is diagnosed and treated early.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma.
Cancer Research UK.Types and grades of mesothelioma.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Biden-Harris administration finalizes ban on ongoing uses of asbestos to protect people from cancer.
American Lung Association.Mesothelioma symptoms, causes, and risks.
American Cancer Society.Survival rates for malignant mesothelioma.
Jain SV, Wallen JM.Cancer, malignant mesothelioma. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
