If you've been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma or at higher risk for developing it, you most likely have a lot of questions. AHN is here to help.
What is pleural mesothelioma?
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that starts in the pleura, the thin layer of tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity. It can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and a persistent cough.
Patients who have been exposed to asbestos are at higher risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. The tumor can spread from the pleura to other parts of the body such as lungs, heart, and abdomen.
What causes pleural mesothelioma?
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, a fibrous material previously used in building and construction, you’re at a higher risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who reside with someone with high asbestos exposure can also be at risk for pleural mesothelioma.
Other risk factors for developing pleural mesothelioma include prolonged radiation exposure of the chest.
Lung and Pleural Cancer Center of Excellence
The AHN Lung and Pleural Cancer Center of Excellence is where innovation and compassion merge. Our team of doctors, nurses, and specialists create patient-specific treatment plans that include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation. At AHN, you have a team that works together across specialties to ensure your unique needs are being met.
AHN's Commitment to Excellence in Pleural Mesothelioma Care
AHN is committed to providing the highest quality of care to patients with pleural mesothelioma. Our team of experts has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating this rare cancer. We offer a variety of treatment options, including:
- Surgery.
- Chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy.
- Targeted therapy.
- Immunotherapy.
We also offer a variety of support services to help patients and their families cope with the challenges of pleural mesothelioma. These services include:
- Social work: Social workers can help patients and their families with financial assistance, transportation, and other practical needs.
- Nutrition counseling: Nutrition counselors can help patients maintain a healthy diet during treatment.
- Palliative care: Palliative care teams can help patients manage pain and other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.
AHN is dedicated to providing the best possible care to patients with pleural mesothelioma. We’re committed to helping our patients live longer, healthier lives.
Quick guide to pleural mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma symptoms and diagnosis
Types and stages of pleural mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma symptoms and diagnosis
Common pleural mesothelioma symptoms can vary depending on where the tumor is located, but can cause:
- Shortness of breath.
- Pain in the side of the chest or lower back.
- Persistent, dry cough.
- Fatigue.
- Weight loss.
- Fever.
- Night sweats.
How is pleural mesothelioma diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose pleural mesothelioma using a combination of imaging tests, biopsies, and fluid analysis. Your doctor may also order blood tests and PET-CT scans to get more information that will help with treatment.
Imaging tests
Imaging tests are often used to detect if pleural mesothelioma is present and where it’s located in your body. These tests can include:
- Chest X-ray: Like other X-rays, a chest X-ray provides 2D images of the inside of the body to detect for tumors and other abnormalities in the lungs and chest cavity.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: A CT scan is similar to an X-ray, but will provide a more detailed 3D image of the lungs or chest cavity that allows for greater visibility into any potential irregularities in the area.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan: An MRI gives our doctors a very detailed look into the soft tissue and organs and is used to create a cross section of images that will help identify possible issues.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a medical procedure that takes a tissue or fluid sample to use for examination and testing to determine the stage of the potential disease. A biopsy for pleural mesothelioma might use:
- Pleural Fluid Cytology: This relatively simple procedure, usually done in a doctor’s office, takes a sample of the pleural fluid that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity. The sample is taken to a lab where it will be examined for cancer or other abnormal cells.
- Biopsy of the Pleura: A biopsy of the pleura is a procedure where a small sample of tissue is removed from the pleura, the thin membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity, for examination under a microscope. It can be done using different techniques such as:
- Needle Biopsy: A thin needle is inserted into the pleura to take a sample of the tissue.
- Thoracoscopy: A small camera is inserted into the pleural space through a small chest incision. The camera provides an image of the area and the doctor can also collect tissue samples.
- Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) Biopsy: This minimally invasive procedure helps to get a tissue sample of the pleura through a small incision. Through the incision, the doctor uses a small camera called a thoracoscope to see the area and then collects the tissue sample.
Pleural fluid analysis
Pleural fluid analysis is a procedure that takes a sample of fluid from the pleural space, the area between the lungs and the chest wall, for examination and testing. Fluid can gather in the lungs due to different conditions, and testing the fluid can help look for certain cancer markers.
Pleural mesothelioma risk factors
Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of pleural mesothelioma. When inhaled or ingested, asbestos fibers can damage the DNA in cells and lead to lung cancer. Certain jobs, such as those in construction, mining , and shipbuilding can carry a higher risk for the disease.
If you have a family history of pleural mesothelioma, you are also at a greater risk for the disease and should talk to your doctor about getting screened.
Pleural mesothelioma screening
While there is no standard test to detect pleural mesothelioma, if you have symptoms or increased risk factors, your doctor can determine if a series of screenings is needed. Early detection is key in helping relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Screening may involve:
- A physical exam.
- A chest X-ray.
- A CT scan of the chest.
- A biopsy.
Types and stages of pleural mesothelioma
A pleural mesothelioma diagnosis can feel overwhelming and scary. AHN’s team of doctors and specialists are here to walk with you through the diagnosis. We'll help explain the different types/stages and walk you through care plans that will work best for you.
There are three main cancer cell types of pleural mesothelioma:
- Epithelial mesothelioma: This is the most common type of pleural mesothelioma. It starts in the cells that line the pleura.
- Sarcomatoid mesothelioma: This type of pleural mesothelioma starts in the connective tissue of the pleura.
- Mixed mesothelioma: This type of pleural mesothelioma has features of both epithelial and sarcomatoid mesothelioma.
You may have heard about malignant pleural mesothelioma. This is the cancer type that starts in the thin layer of tissue that lines the lungs and chest. It is the most common. Our specialists can help you understand the treatment options.
You've probably heard someone referencing cancer stages before. In a pleural mesothelioma cancer diagnosis, the stage refers to where the cancer is concentrated and if it has spread.
- Stage I: The tumor is confined to the pleura.
- Stage II: The tumor has spread to the lymph nodes in the chest or abdomen.
- Stage III: The tumor has spread to the lungs, heart, or diaphragm.
- Stage IV: The tumor has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, or brain.
Pleural mesothelioma treatment
While pleural mesothelioma isn’t curable, your AHN team is here to find the best care plan and treatment options that will work for you. Together, we’ll find the best options to improve symptoms and your quality of life.
The treatments for pleural mesothelioma include:
- Surgery: This is the most common treatment for pleural mesothelioma. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
- Chemotherapy: This is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy: A type of treatment that uses high-energy X-rays or other forms of radiation to kill cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: Using drug treatments that target specific molecules or proteins, targeted therapy focuses on reducing or stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.
- Electric field therapy (EFT): A relatively new type of therapy, EFT uses a low-intensity electric field on the tumor that disrupts the cancer cells’ ability to divide and grow.
- Immunotherapy: With this is a type of treatment, the therapy uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer.
Contact us
Call (412) 578-HOPE (412) 578-4673 to schedule an appointment at any location within the AHN Cancer Institute or connect with a nurse navigator.
Second opinions
When it comes to cancer, we have an all-hands-on-deck approach. You have a team of lung cancer specialists ready to review your medical records and offer you a second opinion. They will talk with you about your goals to determine a course of treatment that’s right for you. to get started, complete our second opinion request form. A nurse navigator will contact you to discuss next steps and to help you schedule an appointment.