Pleural Mesothelioma affects the chest cavity, sometimes including the lungs. Metastates, or the spreading of the cancer, can occur in any other organs, and is much more common than originally thought. This form of mesothelioma usually has a slow onset, with the most common symptoms is localized chest pain. This can be accompanied by trouble breathing, caused by pleural effusion, or a buildup of liquid in the pleural space (chest cavity). Additional symptoms include cough, weight loss, and fever. The best test for determining the extent of Pleural Mesothelioma is a computed chest tomograph (CT-scan). Median survival time for this form of Mesothelioma is approximately 17 months from the onset of symptoms. This is the most common form of mesothelioma, accounting for 80-90% of cases.
The pleura are the tissues lining or covering surrounding the actual lungs. There are 2 pleural membranes, separated by the pleural space. These membranes are fibrous sheets, protecting the lungs by producing a lubricating fluid to assist in lung operation.
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