Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma makes up over 60 percent of all
mesothelioma cases worldwide. It is often talked about
in the media and has garnered worldwide attention in
the past few decades. This particular type affects the
outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity which is
known as the pleura.
The pleura is composed of two distinct parts which are
the parietal and visceral pleura. The parietal pleura
is the lining on the wall of the chest and the
diaphragm and the visceral pleura is the inner lining
of the lungs themselves.
Asbestos is very fibrous and these tiny fibers can get
into even the tiniest passages in the lungs. Once its
in there, it has a reaction with cell development that
isnt quite understood but the cells begin to divide
in an unusual manner.
This can lead to pleural thickening which greatly
decreases the capacity of the lungs and can accumulate
fluid as well. This can be seen in X-rays pretty
easily. CT scans and MRIs also can detect any
abnormalities in the lungs.
Smoking can cause long term symptoms similar to
pleural mesothelioma so it can be difficult to
diagnose. The best way is to tell your doctor if you
have ever been around anyone who worked with asbestos
or if a building you frequent has been shown to have a
lot of asbestos in it. Many lawsuits are filed every
year and you may even be entitled to free medical care
or compensation if you meet certain requirements.