{"id":92,"date":"2017-05-08T20:48:44","date_gmt":"2017-05-09T00:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?page_id=92"},"modified":"2025-11-21T17:06:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T22:06:40","slug":"pleural","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/","title":{"rendered":"Pleural Mesothelioma"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Is Pleural Mesothelioma?<\/h2>\n

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the pleura, the thin lining of tissue surrounding the lungs. The only known cause of pleural mesothelioma<\/a> is exposure to asbestos, a mineral once widely used in construction, shipbuilding, and other industries.<\/p>\n

Pleural mesothelioma is not the same as lung cancer, though they share some symptoms. The only way to get a diagnosis of this type of cancer is to get a biopsy from a doctor. Although there is no cure for pleural mesothelioma, there are several treatment options \u2014 and many patients continue to live long, fulfilling lives.<\/p>\n

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Pleural Mesothelioma Causes<\/h2>\n

The only known cause of this cancer is asbestos exposure. Asbestos<\/a> is a naturally occurring mineral once used in many construction and manufacturing products from the 1930s to the early 1980s.\u00a0Multiple industries, including the U.S. military, used asbestos extensively until it became widely known as a cancer-causing substance (carcinogen).<\/p>\n

Some researchers say other factors may play a role. Radiation and genetic mutations, such as BAP1 mutations, can also contribute to the development of mesothelioma \u2014 but only in patients who were exposed to asbestos.<\/p>\n

How Asbestos Causes Pleural Mesothelioma<\/h3>\n
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  1. Exposure:<\/strong> Someone inhales or swallows airborne asbestos fibers through direct or secondhand exposure.<\/li>\n
  2. Buildup:<\/strong> Microscopic asbestos fibers become stuck in the lining of the lungs since they are too small to cough up and too tough to dissolve.<\/li>\n
  3. Damage:<\/strong> Over time, asbestos fibers cause inflammation, scarring, and genetic damage to nearby cells.<\/li>\n
  4. Cancer:<\/strong> After 10-50 years, irritation from the fibers causes pleural cells to mutate and grow at an out-of-control rate. The first symptoms of cancer then start to develop.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Risk Factors<\/h3>\n

    Pleural mesothelioma mainly affects older men with working-class and\/or military backgrounds. That said, anyone who has been exposed to asbestos may be at risk.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0High-risk groups include:<\/strong><\/p>\n