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There are two types of Pleural Mesothelioma: Cancerous and non-cancerous.
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Benign mesothelioma many times can be surgically removed and is generally
not life threatening or a result of asbestos exposure. Malignant
mesothelioma is very serious, though. The infliction is quite rare and less
than three thousand people in the US get it each year.
The following section is about malignant pleural mesothelioma:
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that affects the skin or inner
lining (known medically as the pleura) outside of the lungs and inside of
the ribs. This is caused ONLY by exposure to asbestos fibers found in
products made mostly by US corporations. The exposure could have occurred
many, many years ago because it takes many years for the disease to show up.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma and chances are
that if you have mesothelioma, this is the type you have.
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Often Mesothelioma is diagnosed when no symptoms are present. This could be
because a tumor is present or is randomly discovered through something like
a routine exam. When these symptoms do occur, they can include shortness of
breath, weight loss, chest pains, pains about the lower back, chronic cough,
difficulty swallowing, and severe weakness. In the initial examination a
medical examination will often show a pleural effusion, which is a bunch of
fluid in the area between the lungs and the wall of the chest.
Specific symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma:
Pain in the lower back
Pain in the side of chest
A persistent cough
Shortness of breath
Husky voice
Difficulty swallowing
Fever
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