Mesothelioma of the lungs is called pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear for 20 to 40 years after exposure and sometimes longer. Around 3000 people are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma each year. Roughly 2/3 of mesothelioma cases are Pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs called the pleural membrane.Pleural mesothelioma is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Once the asbestos fibers are brought into the lungs, they find their way to the pleural membrane. Over time, typically 20 years and more, the accumulation of these fibers begins to scare the lining of the lungs. The scaring causes tumor growth on the lungs and ultimately cancer. The cancerous cells prevent the creation of healthy cells and ultimately the pleural member thickens. As a result, lung capacity is reduced and fluid begins to fill between the pleural layers.
Symptoms of mesothelioma of the lungs (Pleural Mesothelioma) include:
- Dry or raspy cough
- Night sweats
- Fever
- Unexplained weight loss (10% or more)
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Fatigue
- Persistent pain in the chest
- Painful breathing
- Coughing up blood
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath (even during rest)
- Lumps under the skin on the chest
