Did you know that chest pain, persistent cough , and shortness of breath could be red flags of pleural cancer?
This type of cancer, known as pleural mesothelioma, affects the membrane that covers the lungs.
Often, its symptoms can go unnoticed or be confused with other diseases.
Recognizing them in time is key to improving prognosis and treatment.
In addition to chest pain, painful cough , and shortness of breath, other symptoms include unexplained fatigue , unexplained weight loss , and lumps under the skin of the chest.
These symptoms usually come on gradually and get worse over time.
It’s vital to keep an eye out for any changes in your health and seek medical help if they persist or worsen.
The main risk factor for pleural mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
This mineral was widely used in construction and industry.
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, either from your job or from living with someone who worked with it, it’s important to know the symptoms of pleural cancer.
You should also have regular medical checkups.
In this article, we’ll look at the symptoms of pleural cancer, how to identify them, and what to do if you suspect you might have this disease.
We’ll also address the causes and risk factors of pleural mesothelioma , as well as the treatment options available.
Stay informed and take control of your health.
What is pleural cancer?
Pleural cancer, also called pleural mesothelioma, is a serious and dangerous disease.
It affects the tissue that covers the lungs.
Although rare, it can cause major problems for patients and their families.
Definition of pleural mesothelioma
This cancer arises in the mesothelial cells of the pleura.
The pleura is a thin layer that surrounds the lungs and chest wall.
Cancer cells can invade and damage nearby tissues and reach other parts of the body.
To know more about lung cancer in Panama, it is good to consult a specialist.
Causes and Risk Factors
Exposure to asbestos is the main risk for this cancer.
In 80% of cases, inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers is the cause.
The time from exposure to diagnosis can be anywhere from 20 to 40 years.
Other factors that increase your risk include:
- Working or living where asbestos is inhaled
- Living near someone who works with asbestos
- Radiation therapy to the chest
- Certain viruses
Pleural cancer affects more men than women.
The age of diagnosis is between 50 and 70 years old.
| Stadium | Description |
|---|---|
| I | The cancer is in the pleura and may have spread to the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side of the chest |
| II | Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes on the same side of the chest |
| III | Cancer has spread to the chest wall, heart, mediastinum, or peritoneum and may have reached lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest |
| IV | Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the brain, bones, or liver |
After malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed, tests are done to see how the cancer has spread.
This helps determine the stage and treatment options.
Chest pain: A key symptom
Chest pain is a common and alarming symptom of pleural cancer.
It is especially concerning in pleural mesothelioma.
This pain is diffuse and worsens when you take a deep breath, known as pleuritic pain.
It can also radiate down the shoulder, which can be mistaken for other health problems.
Chest pain associated with pleural cancer is often accompanied by pleural effusion.
This is the buildup of fluid around the lungs.
This combination of pain and pleural effusion can make it difficult to breathe and affect the patient’s quality of life.
| Type of pain | Features | Possible cause |
|---|---|---|
| Pleuritic pain | Worsens when you take a deep breath or cough | Inflammation of the pleura |
| Diffuse chest pain Feeling | of pressure or general discomfort | Tumor growth |
| Pain radiating to the shoulder | May be confused with other problems | Nerve compression |
In addition to chest pain, other symptoms may indicate pleural cancer.
These include:
- Persistent and painful cough
- Shortness of breath and dyspnea
- Fatigue and general weakness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever and night sweats
If you feel persistent chest pain, especially with these symptoms, seek medical attention quickly.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with pleural cancer.
Persistent and painful cough
Persistent cough is a common symptom of pleural cancer.
It is usually painful and does not get better over time.
This may indicate an underlying health problem, such as pleural mesothelioma.
Cough related to pleural cancer can be dry or productive.
In some cases, it may be accompanied by hemoptysis (coughing up blood).
Characteristics of Cough Related to Pleural Cancer
Cough associated with pleural cancer has distinctive features.
These include:
- Persistence: The cough does not improve over time and may last for several weeks or months.
- Pain: The cough can be painful and may get worse over time.
- Hemoptysis: In some cases, coughing may be accompanied by coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
- Nighttime worsening: Coughing may be more frequent and intense at night.
When to seek medical attention for a cough
If you have a persistent cough that doesn’t improve, it’s important to see a doctor.
Other symptoms that indicate the need for medical attention include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fatigue
- Fever
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may recommend additional tests.
These may include chest x-rays or CT scans.
This will determine the cause of your cough and rule out possible cancers or serious lung conditions.
Shortness of breath and dyspnea
Pleural cancer can cause breathing problems and dyspnea, which is feeling like you can’t breathe well. According to studies, between 19% and 64% of cancer patients feel dyspnea.
This condition affects 39.8% of patients at the time of diagnosis and 46.6% in the last days of life.
Shortness of breath is due to fluid that builds up around the lungs and pressure from the tumor.
This limits the lungs’ ability to expand, causing a feeling of shortness of breath.
To relieve respiratory distress, there are several medical procedures:
- Thoracentesis: Used to drain fluid around the lung.
- Pleurodesis: This is chemical or surgical and helps prevent fluid in the chest cavity.
- Pericardiocentesis: Drains fluid around the heart in cases of pericardial effusion.
- Photodynamic and laser therapy: These are used in lung tumor treatments, but they can cause side effects.
- Stenting: Needed to keep open an airway blocked by a tumor.
In addition to medical treatments, there are non-pharmacological interventions to manage dyspnea.
One study found that up to 56% of patients had dyspnea.
In another study, 82% of patients with dyspnea had at least 2 related causes.
| Treatment | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Oral and parenteral opioids | Effective in treating dyspnea in terminal patients, according to a systematic review. |
| Parenteral morphine (single dose) | Clinical trials showed significant improvements in dyspnea in cancer patients. |
| Oxygen therapy | It is not effective for everyone. Some hypoxemics don’t get better, but others do. |
Dyspnea can worsen with physical activity and affect quality of life.
In one study, the mean stay in the program was 42 days.
The time from the onset of dyspnea to death was 20-24 days.
Dyspnea was the most frequent cause of sedation in a population studied (37%).
Fatigue and general weakness
Fatigue and weakness are common symptoms in patients with pleural cancer.
These can be caused by cancer or treatments such as chemotherapy.
Fatigue is a feeling of constant tiredness.
Weakness refers to decreased muscle strength.
As the cancer progresses, these symptoms may get worse.
This affects the patient’s quality of life.
Fatigue and weakness can limit daily activities and affect emotional state.
Impact of pleural cancer on quality of life
Pleural cancer can have a big impact on a patient’s life.
In addition to fatigue and weakness, chest pain and shortness of breath may arise.
These symptoms make it hard to do daily activities.
The diagnosis can also have an emotional impact on the patient and their family.
Fear, anxiety, and uncertainty can affect quality of life.
It is key to seek emotional and psychological support.
| Symptom | Percentage of patients affected |
|---|---|
| Fatigue | 80-90% |
| General weakness | 60-70% |
| General malaise | 50-60% |
Fatigue is the most common symptom, affecting between 80% and 90% of patients.
Weakness and general malaise are also common, affecting more than half.
If you feel fatigue, weakness or discomfort, talk to your doctor.
These symptoms may indicate pleural cancer or other serious conditions.
Your doctor can diagnose and treat these symptoms to improve your quality of life.
Other symptoms of pleural cancer
Pleural cancer can have symptoms other than chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath.
These additional symptoms are important for detecting the disease early.
They help to make a diagnosis in time.
Unusual lumps in the tissue under the skin of the breast
Some patients with pleural cancer notice lumps in the breast.
These lumps may be painless at first but cause discomfort as they grow.
If you see a lump or change in the skin on your chest, see your doctor.
Unexplained weight loss
Unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of pleural cancer.
If you lose a lot of weight without changing your diet or exercise, talk to your doctor.
Weight loss may be due to high metabolism of the cancer or loss of appetite.
Fever and night sweats
Some patients with pleural cancer have fever and night sweats.
These symptoms may come and go and do not respond to common medications.
Fever and night sweats may indicate inflammation or infection, suggesting pleural cancer.
| Symptom | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Lumps in the breast | Unusual lumps under the skin of the chest | May indicate the presence of pleural tumors |
| Weight loss | Significant weight loss with no apparent cause | May be the result of increased metabolism caused by cancer |
| Fever and night sweats | Intermittent episodes of fever and night sweats | May suggest inflammation or infection related to pleural cancer |
Remember that these symptoms are not unique to pleural cancer.
They may be from other medical conditions.
If you notice these symptoms, especially with the main symptoms of pleural cancer, seek medical attention.
It is key to proper diagnosis and treatment.
Complications of Advanced Pleural Cancer
Advanced pleural mesothelioma can cause serious complications.
One of the most common is pleural effusion.
This happens when fluid builds up between the layers of the pleura.
This compresses the lung and makes it difficult to breathe, causing chest pain.
Pleural effusion and its effects
Pleural effusion is very common in advanced pleural cancer.
The tumor can block vessels, causing fluid in the pleural space.
This fluid may have cancer cells on it.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough.
To relieve these symptoms, a thoracentesis is sometimes done.
This drains the accumulated fluid and improves lung function.
Pain from pressure on nerves and spinal cord
Pain due to tumor pressure is another complication.
Cancer can compress nerves and the spinal cord.
This causes severe pain that can radiate to other parts of the body.
Pain medications and radiation therapy are used to treat pain.
Other palliative approaches are also used to improve the patient’s quality of life.
