Pleural mesothelioma is the most common existing form of this malignancy, and it is more often than not a direct consequence of exposure to asbestos. One can get minor tumors with mesothelioma, but the malignant form is the most widespread. Inhaling asbestos fibers puts you at risk, and working with the mineral without adequate protection is hazardous. These risks are further heightened with more exposure to the mineral, or smoking.

Pleural mesothelioma targets the respiratory areas of the body. The malignancy attacks the lining of the ribs and the lungs. Similar to other forms of the disease, the symptoms can be dormant for fifty years before presenting themselves.

Pleural mesothelioma can be a very tricky disease to detect. Often, symptoms are mistaken for common ailments. The lengthy latency period does not help matters, either.

If your physician has no knowledge of you working with asbestos, he may treat you for different ailments, the most common being pneumonia. However, if your doctor knows about you having previously worked with asbestos, he can start the appropriate treatment upon manifestation of the symptoms.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include difficulty in swallowing; persistent coughing; weight loss; facial swelling; coughing blood, etc. Some patients experience shortness of breath, even while resting. The spreading of the tumor can thicken the pleura, leading to such consequences.

Some patients experience extreme pain in the ribs or chest, also caused by the spread of the tumor. Should the tumor branch upwards, the lungs and the chest will also get affected.

Treating pleural mesothelioma depends on several things. The patients age, medical history, weight and general well-being are factors. Other factors include the location of the cancer and the extent to which the cancer has spread. Common treatments for pleural mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.