[breadcrumb]
Mesothelioma and Fluid Build up on Lungs
For patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, fluid build up on the lungs is an extremely common side effect. This type of fluid build up is also common for a number of other conditions — nearly all of them critical.
If you think you have any symptoms of having excess fluid around your lungs, seek medical attention immediately. Request a chest x-ray, and make sure to note to your medical care professional any history of prior asbestos exposure you may have.
The medical community refer to the condition of having excess fluid build up pushing upon the lungs as a “pleural effusion[1].” An “effusion” in medical terms means either an unusual build up of fluid in a body’s tissue layer or the intrusion of fluid into a cavity where fluid normally should not be.
A pleural effusion is a build up of fluid within the pleura, which are membranes surrounding the lungs that secrete fluids[2]. These layers and the fluid they produce keeps lungs lubricated, and they also allow for more expansion and contraction as you breathe.
Patients with asbestos exposure and especially malignant pleural mesothelioma can develop tough, scarred pleural tissues, an effect known as a “pleural plaque[3].” Cancerous tumors and malignancy can likewise cause the pleural tissues to operate abnormally. The result is that these tissues produce more fluid than they can absorb or distribute, leading to an excess build up[4].
Symptoms of a pleural effusion, sometimes called “water on the lungs,” can include sharp chest pains that worsen any time you breathe deeply, cough, or sneeze. Fluid build up can also cause a feeling of shortness of breath. When the buildup becomes large enough, the pressure placed upon the lung can cause it to partially or completely collapse[5]. A collapsed lung causes extreme shortness of breath, and it can also cause dizziness, a dry cough, an elevated heart rate, fatigue, and other symptoms related to decreased blood oxygen levels[6].
Pleural effusions can be caused by a number of underlying conditions. These conditions can include a serious viral, fungal, or bacterial infection that leads to pneumonia. Individuals with congestive heart failure or a pulmonary embolism may experience a buildup of fluid in the lungs[7], as well. Blocked blood vessels or lymphatic vessels may also be the underlying issue. Individuals with serious kidney or liver disease can likewise develop an effusion.
Cancer is one of the most common reasons that a pleural effusion will develop — especially lung cancers or cancers that have metastasized to the pleural lining. Around half of cancer patients will develop a pleural effusion at some point[8].
For individuals with malignant pleural mesothelioma, an effusion is incredibly common. Medical literature describes that 94% of cases with pleural malignancy (tumors) will exhibit a pleural effusion on the affected side of the lungs[9].
As indicated by the list of causes of fluid build up on the lungs above, a pleural effusion is almost always a serious medical condition. Physicians will typically consider lung cancer or mesothelioma within their differential diagnosis for patients exhibiting effusion symptoms, especially if the patient has a history of asbestos exposure. In fact, pleural effusions are one of the main symptom presentations and diagnostic criteria for malignant pleural mesothelioma[10],[11]. Obtaining a sample of the pleural fluid and analyzing it can further confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis[12],[13].
Pleural effusions can be incredibly painful and debilitating[14]. Anyone who experiences the symptoms of one should seek medical attention immediately. Those who can trace their effusions to mesothelioma conditions caused by asbestos exposure may also be eligible to recover pain and suffering damages from liable parties as a result of the extreme pain and discomfort effusions and related symptoms can cause
[1] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000086.htm
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4332049/
[3] https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/asbestos-related-conditions/pleural-plaques
[4] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17373-pleural-effusion-causes-signs–treatment
[5] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pleurisy/symptoms-causes/syc-20351863
[6] https://www.bhdsyndrome.org/for-families/lung/signs-and-symptoms-of-a-collapsed-lung/
[7] https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/pulmonary/thoracic-surgery/pleural-effusion/causes-and-diagnoses
[8] https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/side-effects/fluid-around-lungs-or-malignant-pleural-effusion
[9] https://thorax.bmj.com/content/73/Suppl_1/i1
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3886874/
[11] https://www.cancernetwork.com/lung-cancer/diffuse-malignant-mesothelioma-pleural-space-and-its-management
[12] https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(16)32493-X/pdf
[13] https://www.hindawi.com/journals/dm/2014/413946/
[14] https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/299959-clinical
