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Pleural mesothelioma is the most common among three categories of mesothelioma cancer affecting people inhaling asbestos filled air for long periods. The loose asbestos fibers enter in the protective membrane of our internal organs known as mesothelium and affect the cells and their functioning. In the case of pleural mesothelioma, the protective lining around lungs and internal chest wall called pleura gets affected.

The pleura covering the chest wall is called parietal pleura and the protecting the lungs is called visceral pleura. The lungs can expand and contract easily due to the presence of a fluid between parietal pleura and visceral pleura. The asbestos inhaled by the workers enter the pleura after getting into the minute passages of the lungs. Formation of cancerous cells takes place as the result of a chemical reaction still unknown to the world. The cells then start dividing unnaturally resulting in the pleural lining becoming thicker and thicker. Collection of excess fluid also takes place. The affected person suffers from breathlessness, since thickening of pleura reduces breathing process.

Other than shortness of breath which is the first symptom the patient suffers from chest pain, weight loss and night sweats. The severity of the disease will increase with the number of years a person is exposed to asbestos. After the patient is exposed to the malicious asbestos it may take years for the symptoms to appear. There is also the possibility of wrong diagnosis in the case of this disease. This may add to the severity of the condition. If the symptoms appear in a person who has been in contact with asbestos, it is advisable to consult a mesothelioma specialist immediately.

Traditional treatments like surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy have limited success against pleural mesothelioma. There are five different surgical treatments followed, namely, pleorodesis, pleurectomy, decortication, pneumonectomy and extra pneumonectomy.

Radiation therapy entails using high energy gamma rays, X-rays or neutrons, while chemotherapy is the most accepted medicated treatment. In addition, intra-operative photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy and gene therapy are also resorted to. However, the success of every treatment depends on the level infection and the will power of the patient.

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