Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of the rare cancer known as mesothelioma.  It  develops in the mesothelial cells that make up the mesothelium, which is a membrane that lines the bodies internal organs.   Pleura referring to the lungs is the type of cancer most often labeled asbestos lung cancer.  The primary cause is in fact from inhaling asbestos fibers into the lungs.  This category of mesothelioma represents about twenty five percent of all mesothelioma patients.   Pleural mesothelioma is hard to catch because the symptoms do not show till more advanced stages of the disease.  It is also often misdiagnosed since it carries many symptoms common to other illnesses, such as shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.  The most common symptom for pleural mesothelioma patients is chest pain. But, the pain often is not associated directly with the lung pleura and often appears in the shoulder or upper abdomen.  Treatment of the disease is typical of most cancers which includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.  If you have been exposed to asbestos and have the above symptoms contact a doctor immediately.