{"id":25714,"date":"2024-09-24T15:53:26","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T19:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?page_id=25714"},"modified":"2025-04-28T15:31:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T19:31:15","slug":"pleural-thickening","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/pleural-thickening\/","title":{"rendered":"Mesothelioma &#038; Pleural Thickening"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>What Is Pleural Thickening?<\/h2>\n<p>Pleural thickening is a condition where the lining of the lungs becomes scarred and stiff. It\u2019s commonly caused by exposure to asbestos.<\/p>\n<p>Pleural thickening can be an early sign of <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/\">mesothelioma<\/a>, a rare and aggressive cancer that usually affects the lung lining.<\/p>\n<h3>Key Facts on Asbestos Pleural Thickening<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Common symptoms:<\/strong> Shortness of breath, chest pain, and a persistent cough<\/li>\n<li><strong>Diagnostic testing:<\/strong> Imaging tests and <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/diagnosis\/biopsy\/\">biopsies<\/a> if cancer is suspected<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link to cancer:<\/strong> Diffuse (widespread) thickening could be a sign of mesothelioma<\/li>\n<li><strong>Latency period:<\/strong> 10-50 years after asbestos exposure<\/li>\n<li><strong>Treatment options:<\/strong> Medications for pain and inflammation, pulmonary rehabilitation, surgery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Get our <strong>Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide<\/strong> to learn more about symptoms, treatments, and top doctors for mesothelioma pleural thickening.<\/p>\n<div data-vqueid=\"23881\" class=\"widget widget_oscar-vque default image-right has-img\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"default\">.widget_oscar-vque.default{margin:60px auto;max-width:315px}.widget_oscar-vque.default:first-child{margin-top:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a{background:#2F293D;display:block;padding:20px;border-radius:10px;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}.widget_oscar-vque.default img{margin:0 auto 20px;max-width:150px;width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.default .vque-content{font-size:16px;text-align:center}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.subheading{display:block;line-height:1;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:5px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.heading{font-size:20px;display:block;margin:0 0 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul{font-size:16px;text-align:left;list-style:none;max-width:265px;line-height:1.4;margin:15px auto 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li{padding-left:28px;margin-bottom:10px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li:before{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;font-display:swap;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e904\";border:none;position:absolute;left:0;top:0;background:#0FAEBF;width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:20px;line-height:20px;text-align:center;font-size:12px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.button.arrow{width:100%}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.widget_oscar-vque.default{max-width:620px}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a{padding:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a>div{display:block;display:flex;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap;flex-direction:row-reverse}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a>div>div{padding:0 25px 0 0;width:41%}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a .vque-content{width:59%;padding:30px;text-align:left}.widget_oscar-vque.default img{max-width:90%;margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.subheading{font-size:16px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.heading{font-size:24px;margin:0 0 16px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul{max-width:none}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.button.arrow{width:auto}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div{display:block;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div img{max-width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div{float:left}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div:first-child{width:27%;padding:30px}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div.vque-content{width:73%;padding-left:0}}<\/style><a href=\"\/mesothelioma-guide\/\" title=\"Get Your Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Your Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide Ad\" data-desktop-image=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png\" data-case-type=\"pleural\"><div><div><div class=\"image-fade\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"296\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png\" class=\"attachment-Medium size-Medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"Mesothelioma Guide Images\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png 296w, https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical-55x55.png 55w, https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical-102x100.png 102w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 296px) 100vw, 296px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vque-content\"><strong class=\"heading\">Get Your Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide<\/strong><ul>\n<li>Symptoms &amp; staging<\/li>\n<li>Average prognosis<\/li>\n<li>Life-extending treatments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Your Free Guide\">Get Your Free Guide<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Pleural Thickening in Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Diseases<\/h2>\n<p>Pleural thickening is a common sign of other asbestos-related diseases, most notably malignant <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/\">pleural mesothelioma<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"did-you-know icon-bell\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.did-you-know{background:#F3F2F0;border-radius:10px;margin:40px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 80px;position:relative}.did-you-know:before{position:absolute;left:20px;top:20px;width:45px;height:45px;background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50px;color:#fff;text-align:center;line-height:45px;font-size:27px}.did-you-know .heading{font-size:24px;color:#100134;padding:10px 0;display:block;margin:0 0 5px}.did-you-know h2,.did-you-know .h2,.did-you-know h3,.did-you-know .h3{font-size:24px;line-height:1.14}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.did-you-know{padding:25px 25px 25px 90px}.did-you-know:before{left:25px;top:25px}.did-you-know .heading{padding:8px 0}.did-you-know h2,.did-you-know .h2,.did-you-know h3,.did-you-know .h3{font-size:24px;line-height:1.14}}<\/style><strong class=\"heading\">Did You Know?<\/strong><p>About 80% of pleural mesothelioma patients have pleural thickening of the lungs. The irritation from asbestos fibers causes damage that can lead to both conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Other asbestos illnesses linked to pleural thickening include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/asbestosis\/\">Asbestosis<\/a>:<\/strong> A chronic disease where lung function weakens over time.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/cancer\/lung-cancer\/\">Lung cancer<\/a>:<\/strong> May develop after asbestos damages the lung tissue.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/effusion\/\">Pleural effusion<\/a>:<\/strong> A buildup of excess fluid in the lung lining. According to a 2024 <em>Radiologia<\/em> report, pleural effusions commonly occur alongside pleural thickening in mesothelioma patients.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While not everyone with pleural thickening will go on to develop other health issues, <strong>keep a close watch on your health<\/strong> \u2014 especially if you may have been exposed to asbestos.<\/p>\n<div class=\"callout-shortcode\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.callout-shortcode{background:#EDF8F9;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 24px;margin:40px 0;max-width:860px;position:relative}.callout-shortcode:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #EDF8F9 100%)}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{color:#100134;font-size:22px;display:block;margin:0 0 15px}.callout-shortcode:first-child{margin-top:0}.callout-shortcode:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:20px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding-top:17px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:74px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{left:22px;position:absolute;top:20px;width:59px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background:#fff url(\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mh-icon-65.png);background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:70%;border-radius:30px;bottom:-10px;content:\"\";display:block;height:30px;position:absolute;right:-10px;width:30px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.callout-shortcode{padding:25px 25px 25px 34px}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{font-size:24px}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode.has-img{min-height:170px;padding-left:175px}.callout-shortcode.has-img .img-wrap{position:absolute;left:29px;top:25px;width:119px}.callout-shortcode.hope.has-img{padding-left:170px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding:0}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{width:109px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background-size:66%;bottom:-15px;height:42px;width:42px}}<\/style><div class=\"content\"><p><a href=\"\/about\/contact\/\">Contact us now<\/a> if you\u2019re concerned about mesothelioma pleural thickening. Our registered nurses can listen to your symptoms and recommend next steps.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Types of Pleural Thickening<\/h2>\n<p>There are several types of pleural thickening. Doctors can use diagnostic tests to determine which type you have and if cancer could be a concern.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Common types of pleural thickening include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Apical pleural thickening:<\/strong> Scarring develops on the apex (top part) of the lung. Over 92% of cases fall under this type, according to a study in <em>Respiratory Research<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biapical pleural thickening:<\/strong> Inflammation and scarring forms on the top parts of both lungs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Diffuse pleural thickening:<\/strong> Widespread thickening affects over 25% of both lungs or 50% of one lung.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Focal pleural thickening:<\/strong> Develops in small deposits called <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/pleural-plaque\/\">pleural plaques<\/a> in the lung lining.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Nodular pleural thickening:<\/strong> Forms in bumps and is usually an indicator of cancer, according to a 2024 study.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Thickening can develop in the two main parts of the pleural space: the <strong>parietal pleura<\/strong> (outer layer that connects to the chest wall) and the <strong>visceral pleura<\/strong> (inner layer that protects the lungs).<\/p>\n<p>Almost all cases of asbestos-caused pleural thickening form in the parietal pleura, according to a 2023 report from <em>Seminars in Roentgenology<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h2>Pleural Thickening Causes<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"\/asbestos\/\">Asbestos exposure<\/a> is one of the most notable causes of pleural thickening. Asbestos is a fiber-like mineral that was used in thousands of products up until the early 1980s.<\/p>\n<div class=\"did-you-know icon-bell\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.did-you-know{background:#F3F2F0;border-radius:10px;margin:40px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 80px;position:relative}.did-you-know:before{position:absolute;left:20px;top:20px;width:45px;height:45px;background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50px;color:#fff;text-align:center;line-height:45px;font-size:27px}.did-you-know .heading{font-size:24px;color:#100134;padding:10px 0;display:block;margin:0 0 5px}.did-you-know h2,.did-you-know .h2,.did-you-know h3,.did-you-know .h3{font-size:24px;line-height:1.14}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.did-you-know{padding:25px 25px 25px 90px}.did-you-know:before{left:25px;top:25px}.did-you-know .heading{padding:8px 0}.did-you-know h2,.did-you-know .h2,.did-you-know h3,.did-you-know .h3{font-size:24px;line-height:1.14}}<\/style><strong class=\"heading\">Did You Know?<\/strong><p>If you worked in a blue-collar industry or served in the military, you could have breathed in asbestos fibers. The fibers can become trapped in the lung lining, causing long-term irritation that may eventually lead to pleural thickening.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Other potential causes of pleural thickening include infections, autoimmune diseases, and getting radiation or surgery.<\/p>\n<p>Get our <strong>Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide<\/strong> shipped overnight to learn more about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma pleural thickening.<\/p>\n<div data-vqueid=\"23881\" class=\"widget widget_oscar-vque default image-right has-img\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"default\">.widget_oscar-vque.default{margin:60px auto;max-width:315px}.widget_oscar-vque.default:first-child{margin-top:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a{background:#2F293D;display:block;padding:20px;border-radius:10px;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}.widget_oscar-vque.default img{margin:0 auto 20px;max-width:150px;width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.default .vque-content{font-size:16px;text-align:center}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.subheading{display:block;line-height:1;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:5px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.heading{font-size:20px;display:block;margin:0 0 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul{font-size:16px;text-align:left;list-style:none;max-width:265px;line-height:1.4;margin:15px auto 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li{padding-left:28px;margin-bottom:10px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li:before{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;font-display:swap;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e904\";border:none;position:absolute;left:0;top:0;background:#0FAEBF;width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:20px;line-height:20px;text-align:center;font-size:12px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.button.arrow{width:100%}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.widget_oscar-vque.default{max-width:620px}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a{padding:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a>div{display:block;display:flex;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap;flex-direction:row-reverse}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a>div>div{padding:0 25px 0 0;width:41%}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a .vque-content{width:59%;padding:30px;text-align:left}.widget_oscar-vque.default img{max-width:90%;margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.subheading{font-size:16px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.heading{font-size:24px;margin:0 0 16px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul{max-width:none}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.button.arrow{width:auto}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div{display:block;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div img{max-width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div{float:left}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div:first-child{width:27%;padding:30px}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div.vque-content{width:73%;padding-left:0}}<\/style><a href=\"\/mesothelioma-guide\/\" title=\"Get Your Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Your Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide Ad\" data-desktop-image=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png\" data-case-type=\"pleural\"><div><div><div class=\"image-fade\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"296\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png\" class=\"attachment-Medium size-Medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"Mesothelioma Guide Images\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png 296w, https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical-55x55.png 55w, https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical-102x100.png 102w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 296px) 100vw, 296px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vque-content\"><strong class=\"heading\">Get Your Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide<\/strong><ul>\n<li>Symptoms &amp; staging<\/li>\n<li>Average prognosis<\/li>\n<li>Life-extending treatments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Your Free Guide\">Get Your Free Guide<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Pleural Thickening Symptoms<\/h2>\n<p>Pleural thickening prevents the lungs from expanding and contracting properly and makes breathing more difficult.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Common symptoms of pleural thickening include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Breathlessness<\/li>\n<li>Chest pain<\/li>\n<li>Dry cough<\/li>\n<li>Fatigue<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Symptoms vary depending on the extent and location of the thickening and your overall health. Many are also possible <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/symptoms\/\">mesothelioma symptoms<\/a>, so make sure to take action if you\u2019re concerned.<\/p>\n<h2>How Is Pleural Thickening Diagnosed?<\/h2>\n<p>Doctors typically diagnose pleural thickening through a series of tests.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tests for pleural thickening may include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Chest X-rays:<\/strong> Often the first tests used to detect abnormalities in the lungs and pleura.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/diagnosis\/imaging-scans\/ct\/\">CT (computed tomography) scans<\/a>:<\/strong> Provide detailed cross-sectional images of the chest. According to a 2022 report from <em>Diagnostics<\/em>, doctors can look at the depth and patterns of pleural thickening on CT scans to help determine if you have cancer.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/diagnosis\/imaging-scans\/mri\/\">MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)<\/a>:<\/strong> Sometimes used when more detail is needed beyond what a CT scan can offer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pulmonary function tests (PFTs):<\/strong> Assess lung function and capacity, which can be affected by pleural thickening.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/diagnosis\/imaging-scans\/pet\/\">Positron emission tomography (PET) scans<\/a>:<\/strong> May be used to help when removing a sample fluid or tissue to check for cancer. The 2024 <em>Radiologia<\/em> report noted that PET scans helped show pleural thickening that wasn\u2019t easily seen on CT scans.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If your doctor thinks pleural thickening could be a sign of mesothelioma or lung cancer, they\u2019ll take a <strong>biopsy<\/strong> to remove a fluid or tissue sample and test it for cancer cells. This is the <strong>only way<\/strong> to confirm a <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/diagnosis\/\">mesothelioma diagnosis<\/a> related to pleural thickening.<\/p>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/dr-matthew-steliga.png\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>&#8220;If there&#8217;s quite a bit of fluid around the lung, surgical biopsies can be done with a camera scope to take out the fluid and sample the pleural lining. Removing the fluid can help improve breathing, and we can get adequate tissue to make a clear diagnosis.&#8221;<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Dr. Matthew Steliga, mesothelioma doctor at Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<h3>Pleural Thickening &amp; Misdiagnosis<\/h3>\n<p>Pleural thickening can be challenging to diagnose accurately since it shares similar symptoms and imaging characteristics with other conditions affecting the lung lining.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pleural thickening may be misdiagnosed as:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Extrapleural fat<\/li>\n<li>Normal body structures in the chest like muscles or veins<\/li>\n<li>Pleural effusions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Pleural thickening may also make it hard for doctors to remove a biopsy sample when diagnosing mesothelioma, according to a 2024 <em>Journal of Clinical Medicine<\/em> report. As a result, doctors may need to take multiple biopsy samples to avoid a <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/diagnosis\/misdiagnosis\/\">misdiagnosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Treating Mesothelioma &amp; Pleural Thickening<\/h2>\n<p>Most pleural thickening cases don\u2019t require treatment, as most patients experience only mild symptoms.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pleural thickening treatment options may include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pulmonary rehabilitation to improve lung function<\/li>\n<li>Quitting smoking since cigarette smoke damages the lungs<\/li>\n<li>Pain medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to ease pain and inflammation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If your doctor confirms the thickening is linked to pleural mesothelioma, they will recommend treatments to help you live longer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Common <a href=\"\/treatment\/\">treatments for mesothelioma<\/a> include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/extrapleural-pneumonectomy\/\">Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)<\/a>:<\/strong> Surgery to remove the lung closest to the cancer, the lung lining, and all tumors<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/pleurectomy-decortication\/\">Pleurectomy with decortication (P\/D)<\/a>:<\/strong> Surgery that takes out the lung lining<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/treatment\/chemotherapy\/\">Chemotherapy<\/a>:<\/strong> Cancer-killing medication that circulates through the body or is delivered directly to the chest cavity during surgery<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/treatment\/immunotherapy\/\">Immunotherapy<\/a>:<\/strong> Medication that helps the immune system fight cancer<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/treatment\/radiation\/\">Radiation therapy<\/a>:<\/strong> Beams of X-ray energy that destroy cancer tumors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Doctors will often combine multiple treatments to help destroy cancer tumors and improve quality of life.<\/p>\n<p>Use our <strong><a href=\"\/get-matched\/\">Free Doctor Match<\/a><\/strong> to connect with specialists in your area who treat mesothelioma pleural thickening.<\/p>\n<div id=\"25223\" class=\"one-off-25223 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"25223\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-25223{margin:60px auto}.one-off-25223 a{box-shadow:0 4px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.25);display:block;background:#e4f4f6;padding:20px 25px 200px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;position:relative;overflow:hidden;max-width:360px;margin:0 auto}.one-off-25223 a::before{background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50% 50% 0 0;content:'';position:absolute;bottom:0;height:19%;width:135%;left:-60px;z-index:0}.one-off-25223 .vque-content,.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{z-index:1;position:relative}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{width:100%;position:absolute;left:-10px;bottom:-15px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:absolute;bottom:0;width:100%;max-width:unset;left:0}.one-off-25223 .heading{font-size:27px;line-height:33px;text-align:center;display:block;max-width:340px;margin:5px auto 25px}.one-off-25223 ul{list-style:none;margin:-10px auto 22px;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:26px}.one-off-25223 ul li{margin:0 0 15px;position:relative;padding-left:35px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{font-family:\"mesohope\"!important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;content:\"\\e904\";background:#0FAEBF;width:21px;height:21px;display:block;position:absolute;left:0;top:4px;border-radius:50%;color:#fff;font-size:11px;text-align:center;line-height:21px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:center}.one-off-25223 .button{padding:12px 16px;display:block}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-25223 a{max-width:620px;padding:30px 30px 35px;border-radius:0 0 4px 4px}.one-off-25223 a::before{border-radius:50%;height:155%;width:150%;right:-550px;left:unset;bottom:-295px}.one-off-25223 .heading{text-align:left;margin:2px 0 25px;max-width:unset;font-size:24px}.one-off-25223 ul{margin:-7px 0 30px;max-width:365px;line-height:23px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{top:1px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{max-width:unset;position:absolute;right:-25px;bottom:-35px;margin:0 0 -2px;left:unset;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:relative;bottom:0;left:0;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .button{display:inline-block;padding:14px 25px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:left}}@media screen and (min-width:1150px){.one-off-25223 a{padding:30px}}<\/style><a href=\"\/get-matched\/\" title=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor Ad\"><div>\r\n    <div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n        <strong class=\"heading\">Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor<\/strong>\r\n        <ul>\r\n            <li>Find top specialists near you<\/li>\r\n            <li>Seek compensation for travel & care<\/li>\r\n            <li>Get medical guidance<\/li>\r\n        <\/ul>\r\n        <p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Matched Now\">Get Matched Now<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Doctors-ad.png\" alt=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"lazyload\" ><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Prognosis for Pleural Thickening<\/h2>\n<p>Pleural thickening alone doesn\u2019t pose a risk to overall health, but it may worsen your prognosis (disease outlook) with mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Recent studies show how pleural thickening impacts <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/prognosis\/\">mesothelioma prognosis<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The extent of thickening could impact your ability to get pleural mesothelioma surgery, according to a 2024 study in <em>European Radiology<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>A 2024 report in <em>The Annals of Surgical Oncology<\/em> noted that mesothelioma patients with more extensive pleural thickening had a higher risk of complications after surgery.<\/li>\n<li>Pleural thickness after surgery and chemotherapy impacted mesothelioma prognosis in a 2019 report in <em>The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery<\/em>. When patients had less pleural thickening, they lived longer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Doctors can recommend the best treatments to improve your prognosis if you have asbestos pleural thickening and mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<h2>Financial Compensation for Mesothelioma &amp; Pleural Thickening<\/h2>\n<p>If you have asbestos pleural thickening and mesothelioma, you may qualify for <a href=\"\/legal\/compensation\/\">financial compensation<\/a> to cover your medical bills and other expenses. Asbestos payouts can be a big help since treating this cancer can cost <strong>over $400,000.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>You may qualify for compensation from:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/legal\/asbestos-trust-funds\/\">Asbestos trust funds<\/a>:<\/strong> Established by bankrupt asbestos companies, these funds contain <strong>over $30 billion<\/strong> for victims and their families. You can pursue trust fund payouts without filing a lawsuit.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/legal\/lawsuit\/\">Mesothelioma lawsuits<\/a>:<\/strong> You may qualify to file personal injury lawsuits against the asbestos companies responsible for your illness. These lawsuits award <strong>$1 million or more<\/strong>, and our legal partners can do <strong>all the work<\/strong> on your behalf so there\u2019s less stress for you.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/veterans\/va-benefits\/\">VA benefits<\/a>:<\/strong> If you developed mesothelioma after military asbestos exposure, you can pursue benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Notable benefits include disability payouts worth <strong>$4,044.91 a month<\/strong> and free or low-cost medical care.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Get our <strong>Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide<\/strong> to see how we can help you pursue compensation for mesothelioma and asbestos pleural thickening.<\/p>\n<div data-vqueid=\"23881\" class=\"widget widget_oscar-vque default image-right has-img\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"default\">.widget_oscar-vque.default{margin:60px auto;max-width:315px}.widget_oscar-vque.default:first-child{margin-top:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a{background:#2F293D;display:block;padding:20px;border-radius:10px;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}.widget_oscar-vque.default img{margin:0 auto 20px;max-width:150px;width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.default .vque-content{font-size:16px;text-align:center}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.subheading{display:block;line-height:1;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:5px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.heading{font-size:20px;display:block;margin:0 0 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul{font-size:16px;text-align:left;list-style:none;max-width:265px;line-height:1.4;margin:15px auto 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li{padding-left:28px;margin-bottom:10px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul li:before{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;font-display:swap;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e904\";border:none;position:absolute;left:0;top:0;background:#0FAEBF;width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:20px;line-height:20px;text-align:center;font-size:12px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.button.arrow{width:100%}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.widget_oscar-vque.default{max-width:620px}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a{padding:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a>div{display:block;display:flex;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap;flex-direction:row-reverse}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a>div>div{padding:0 25px 0 0;width:41%}.widget_oscar-vque.default>a .vque-content{width:59%;padding:30px;text-align:left}.widget_oscar-vque.default img{max-width:90%;margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.subheading{font-size:16px}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.heading{font-size:24px;margin:0 0 16px}.widget_oscar-vque.default ul{max-width:none}.widget_oscar-vque.default strong.button.arrow{width:auto}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div{display:block;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div img{max-width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div{float:left}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div:first-child{width:27%;padding:30px}.widget_oscar-vque.default.image-left>a>div>div.vque-content{width:73%;padding-left:0}}<\/style><a href=\"\/mesothelioma-guide\/\" title=\"Get Your Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Your Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide Ad\" data-desktop-image=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png\" data-case-type=\"pleural\"><div><div><div class=\"image-fade\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"296\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png\" class=\"attachment-Medium size-Medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"Mesothelioma Guide Images\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical.png 296w, https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical-55x55.png 55w, https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/guide-image-vertical-102x100.png 102w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 296px) 100vw, 296px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vque-content\"><strong class=\"heading\">Get Your Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide<\/strong><ul>\n<li>Symptoms &amp; staging<\/li>\n<li>Average prognosis<\/li>\n<li>Life-extending treatments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Your Free Guide\">Get Your Free Guide<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Get Help for Asbestos Pleural Thickening &amp; Mesothelioma<\/h2>\n<p>While pleural thickening isn\u2019t a life-threatening illness, it could be a sign of mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p>Mesothelioma Hope has over 25 years of experience helping victims of asbestos-related diseases like pleural thickening and mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Our team is here to:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Connect you with top doctors and cancer centers<\/li>\n<li>Help you understand your asbestos-related diagnosis<\/li>\n<li>Walk you through the process of pursuing compensation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Call <a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a> today<\/strong> to speak with one of our in-house nurses and Patient Advocates.<\/p>\n<div class=\"faq-wrap\"><h2 class=\"faq-wrap-heading\">Mesothelioma Pleural Thickening FAQs<\/h2><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"1\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">Is pleural thickening serious?<\/h3><div><p><strong>Only a doctor can determine if pleural thickening is serious.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pleural thickening is a benign (noncancerous) condition that\u2019s not fatal. However, it could indicate a more serious health problem like mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p>Pleural thickening shows that there has been damage to the pleura, often from asbestos exposure \u2014 which can cause <a href=\"\/cancer\/lung-cancer\/\">lung cancer<\/a> and mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"2\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">What is the pleural thickening life expectancy?<\/h3><div><p><strong>Pleural thickening doesn\u2019t directly impact life expectancy.<\/strong> You can live just as long with pleural thickening as someone without it.<\/p>\n<p>However, if doctors find that pleural thickening is a symptom of mesothelioma, your life expectancy could change since this cancer is aggressive. You\u2019ll need to undergo mesothelioma treatments to live longer.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/about\/contact\/\">Contact us now<\/a> for help finding treatments for mesothelioma pleural thickening that could improve your life expectancy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"3\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">What age does pleural thickening occur?<\/h3><div><p>A 2019 <em>Respiratory Research<\/em> report found that most pleural thickening patients were <strong>over 60. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is because asbestos-related pleural thickening takes 10-50 years to develop after exposure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"4\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">Can you cure pleural thickening?<\/h3><div><p>There is no cure for pleural thickening, but many patients don\u2019t require treatment.<\/p>\n<p>Pleural thickening not caused by asbestos typically causes little to no symptoms and won\u2019t threaten your health.<\/p>\n<p>However, if you\u2019ve been diagnosed with pleural thickening related to mesothelioma cancer, you should see a specialist right away so you can start treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Is pleural thickening serious?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Only a doctor can determine if pleural thickening is serious.&lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Pleural thickening is a benign (noncancerous) condition that\u2019s not fatal. However, it could indicate a more serious health problem like mesothelioma.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Pleural thickening shows that there has been damage to the pleura, often from asbestos exposure \u2014 which can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"What is the pleural thickening life expectancy?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pleural thickening doesn\u2019t directly impact life expectancy.&lt;\/strong&gt; You can live just as long with pleural thickening as someone without it.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;However, if doctors find that pleural thickening is a symptom of mesothelioma, your life expectancy could change since this cancer is aggressive. You\u2019ll need to undergo mesothelioma treatments to live longer.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Contact us now for help finding treatments for mesothelioma pleural thickening that could improve your life expectancy.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"What age does pleural thickening occur?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;A 2019 &lt;em&gt;Respiratory Research&lt;\/em&gt; report found that most pleural thickening patients were &lt;strong&gt;over 60. &lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;This is because asbestos-related pleural thickening takes 10-50 years to develop after exposure.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Can you cure pleural thickening?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;There is no cure for pleural thickening, but many patients don\u2019t require treatment.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Pleural thickening not caused by asbestos typically causes little to no symptoms and won\u2019t threaten your health.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;However, if you\u2019ve been diagnosed with pleural thickening related to mesothelioma cancer, you should see a specialist right away so you can start treatment.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}}]}<\/script><style type=\"text\/css\">.faq-wrap{background:#E4F4F6;padding:20px 15px;margin:40px -15px}.faq-wrap:first-child{margin-top:0}.faq-wrap:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.faq-wrap .faq{background:#fff;padding:15px;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0px 20px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.03);margin:15px 0 0 0}.faq-wrap .faq:first-child{margin-top:0}.faq-wrap .faq .faq-heading{color:#100134;font-size:21px;margin-bottom:15px}.faq-wrap .faq p{margin-bottom:20px;line-height:1.5}.faq-wrap .faq p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more{color:#248AFF;display:block;padding-right:17px;text-align:right;position:relative;line-height:1}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:visited{color:#248AFF}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:visited:hover,.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:hover{color:#34d}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:after{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e905\";position:absolute;right:0;top:3px}h2.faq-wrap-heading{margin-bottom:25px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.faq-wrap{padding:25px 15px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.faq-wrap{border-radius:10px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding:25px}.faq-wrap .faq{padding:25px}.faq-heading{font-size:24px}}<\/style><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Is Pleural Thickening? Pleural thickening is a condition where the lining of the lungs becomes scarred and stiff. It\u2019s commonly caused by exposure to asbestos. Pleural thickening can be an early sign of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that usually affects the lung lining. Key Facts on Asbestos Pleural Thickening Common symptoms: Shortness&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"parent":92,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-25714","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25714"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25714\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/92"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}