Leveraging the Pleural Space for Anticancer Therapies in Pleural Mesothelioma

Leveraging the Pleural Space for Anticancer Therapies in Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos. It’s deadly and spreads quickly. It usually appears 30-50 years after inhaling asbestos. Sadly, most patients survive only 18 months. Although rare, cases are growing. In 2020, over 30,000 cases were reported worldwide. This number is expected to reach 53,000 by 2040. The rise is due to ongoing asbestos use and its presence in banned areas. What is Pleural Mesothelioma? The pleural space is a thin gap filled with fluid between two pleura layers. These layers line the lungs and chest wall. This space is crucial for lung function. It helps the lungs expand and contract smoothly during breathing. However, it can also be a site for diseases like fluid build-up…

Early Detection Matters: The Role of Hydropneumothorax in Diagnosing Mesothelioma
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Early Detection Matters: The Role of Hydropneumothorax in Diagnosing Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Doctors from Japan are encouraging doctors to test for mesothelioma when their patients show signs of hydropneumothorax. Hydropneumothorax is when there is fluid and air between the lungs and underneath the chest wall. This is area is also called the pleural space. The Role of Hydropneumothorax in Diagnosing Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. It grows in the lining of organs in the body, usually the lungs or abdomen. The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on where the cancer is growing. When the tumors are developing in the lungs, people might feel chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, and fatigue. Another possible symptom of mesothelioma in the lungs in fluid and air in the chest…