Mesothelioma Questions

The first symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are generalized and usually go unrecognized for quite sometime.  Symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent cough, and chest tightness/pain are common but, some patients are asymptomatic. These symptoms are usually caused by a pleural effusion.  Pleural effusion is when fluid settles between the parietal and visceral pleura in the lungs.  This happens due to the damage, by the cancer, to the mesothelial cells that make up the parietal and visceral pleura. The pleura, under healthy circumstances, should absorb any extra fluid formed in the pleural cavity, when cancer is present, normal fluid is not reabsorbed. There are two types of pleural effusions, transudates and exudates.  The type of pleural effusion that presents in mesothelioma is exudative.  As the pleural cavity continues to fill with fluid, patients present most commonly with shortness of breath, which then leads to a more thorough exam and more extensive testing.