Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, representing about 75% of all diagnosed mesothelioma cases. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the pleura, the protective lining around the lungs. This can cause fluid to collect around the lungs and can be quite painful, which is often one of the first symptoms to appear prior to a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis.

 

Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• shortness of breath
• wheezing
• hoarseness
• coughing
• weight loss
• chest pain
• pleural effusion (fluid surrounding the lung)
  

If you believe you may have pleural mesothelioma, you should contact your health care provider immediately so that a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis can be confirmed or denied. We also encourage you to contact organizations like the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation that can help you identify a pleural mesothelioma specialist.
Your doctor’s first step will be to collect a full medical and asbestos exposure history, along with a thorough physical examination. This might include a chest x-ray, which, if pleural mesothelioma is present, will reveal thickening of the mesotheleum or pleura. As a follow-up, your doctor may order a CT scan or MRI, which will identify any abnormal fluid buildup around your lungs. 
At the Simmons Law Firm, our mesothelioma lawyers have been working with pleural mesothelioma victims for many years and have become intimately familiar with the questions and concerns patients may have. Our lawyers have represented thousands of individuals from all areas of the United States. Our skill and conviction, along with our dedication to personal client service, have helped us recover over $4 billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of thousands of clients.*