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Can Mesothelioma Cause Hemoptysis?
Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that most often develops in the lungs. Its best-known cause is asbestos exposure. As the cancer develops, patients may develop a chronic cough. In some cases, patients may begin coughing up blood. This is known as hemoptysis.
Hemoptysis can originate in the trachea, lungs or bronchi. There are different levels of hemoptysis, the most minor occurring when a blood vessel ruptures due to persistent coughing, leading to less than 200 milliliters of blood being coughed up per day.[1] Massive or major hemoptysis is defined as coughing up more than two and a half cups, or 600 milliliters, in a certain period of time. Major hemoptysis can result in lungs filled with blood, leading to asphyxiation.[2]
Heavy coughing can cause ruptures in the throat and other areas, leading to minor hemoptysis. As asbestos fibers cause more scarring and tumors to develop on the lungs, bronchi, vessels and other structures may also rupture, causing major hemoptysis.
The ultimate goal of treating hemoptysis is to prevent aspiration and stop the bleeding. Hemoptysis may be treated in a variety of ways. One such way is bronchial artery embolization. Dye is injected into the bloodstream to identify the source of the bleeding. That vessel is then blocked to prevent bleeding. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed to remove a heavily-damaged lung.[3]
In early stages of mesothelioma, hemoptysis may be treated along with the cancer with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In late stages of mesothelioma, hemoptysis and other symptoms may be treated through palliative care. Palliative care for hemoptysis is generally tailored to the severity of the hemoptysis, the patient’s overall status and the accompanying treatment for the mesothelioma itself. In rare cases, sedation may be required.[4]
Even minor hemoptysis should never be ignored by mesothelioma patients. It may be caused by something as simple as ruptured capillaries in the throat caused by coughing. However, minor hemoptysis may be an indicator of a more severe issue related to mesothelioma or its treatment that could be easier to manage if it is caught early on.
[1] https://lungcancer.net/symptoms/coughing-up-blood/
[2] https://mesotheliomaresearchnews.com/coughing-up-blood-and-mesothelioma/
[3] https://www.webmd.com/lung/coughing-up-blood#2
[4] https://www.uptodate.com/contents/palliative-care-overview-of-cough-stridor-and-hemoptysis#H2990465
