Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the thin layer of tissue that lines the chest and lungs. It is a rare form of cancer that is mostly associated with exposure to asbestos. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a fast-moving cancer with a median survival time of between one and two years.
The majority of mesotheliomas are associated with asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used widely in the United States for insulation, and while awareness of its harmful effects is increasing, asbestos can still be found in older buildings. People who work in industries using asbestos in some form, such as insulation manufacturers, insulation workers, and ship builders, may be at increased risk to develop mesotheliomas. The time between exposure and development of a cancer may be decades, which is why it is usually diagnosed in older people. More men than women get this type of cancer. Close contacts of people who have been exposed to asbestos, such as family members, may also be at risk.
Some symptoms of this cancer are increasing breathlessness, pain in the chest or under the ribcage, an abdominal lump or swelling, fever and unexplained weight loss. Imaging tests like a CT scan may show a collection of fluid in the pleural cavity of the chest. Pleural tissue and fluid is also tested to detect cancerous cells and certain chemicals that can rule out a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma.
Depending on the extent of spread of cancer, malignant pleural mesotheliomas are conventionally treated with some combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Aggressive treatment strategies are the norm, though the exact treatment depends on how far the cancer has spread. A number of experimental treatments are currently being evaluated in clinical trials.
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