Mesothelioma develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the body’s organs, including the lungs. Accordingly, most of its symptoms are breath-related, including shortness of breath.
Here is what you should know about this symptom:
Fluid build-up
Mesothelioma can cause fluid to build up in the pleural cavity – the space between the two pleura of the lungs. The fluid can press on the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties, such as breathlessness and pain when breathing.
The fluid build-up is referred to as pleural effusion.
Can it be controlled?
Pleural effusion can be controlled using several solutions, including performing a pleural tap (draining the fluid). During this procedure, a needle connected to a drainage bag is inserted between the ribs into the pleural cavity filled with the fluid. A pleural tap can take about 30 to 60 minutes.
However, in circumstances when pleural tap is not possible, perhaps the fluid is difficult to drain, or in cases of recurrent pleural effusion, a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) may be effective. With this option, sterile talc may be placed in the pleural space, leading to inflammation that closes up the space (talc pleurodesis).
If pleural effusion recurs even after a VATS, a surgeon may perform thoracotomy, an open surgery that removes all the fibrous tissue to prevent the fluid from building up again.
People who can’t have VATS or thoracotomy may control the shortness of breath with an indwelling pleural catheter, a small tube that allows them to drain fluid in the pleural cavity at home when needed, which, in most cases, is once or twice a week.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be painful, and treating them may be costly. If you developed mesothelioma due to another party’s negligence, you should hold them to account legally.
