Pleural tumors are present in the pleural space, which is the cavity between the lungs and chest wall which contains lubricating pleural liquid. Pleural tumor is almost always cancerous (metastatic) and ahrd to operate on. The prognosis of this cancer is seldom encouraging. One typical type of tumor, which is called localized fibrous tumor of the pleural, is the exception to the rule. Only one in eight LFTPs is metastatic, and the recovery subsequent to removal is rather high in spite of their typical size, which is quite large.
A cancerous pleural tumor is most often secondary cancer, which is caused by cancer cells which have spread to pleural space form somewhere in the body, commonly the lungs. It is very unlikely that those who have never been diagnosed with cancer will develop a metastatic pleural tumor. However, patients that have had cancer are at higher risk, typically if treatment of the cancer was not entirely successful in controlling the cancer. Even so, the incidence of these tumors is quite rare, as it is found to affect perhaps one in 2,000 cancer patients.
The Mechanics of Pleural Tumors
Cancer cells can possibly be transferred to pleural space through bloodstream or lymph system. They also may develop because of the pleural direct contact with cancer tissue which press in from the lungs. Once they get there, the cells can generate one or more tumors. Metastatic pleural tumors commonly trigger a pleural effusion, which is the accumulation of abnormal amount of pleural fluid located in the chest cavity space. The fluid, oftentimes bloody, can be proven accurate diagnostic information, so doctors commonly analyze a sample by extracting pleural fluid to decide the patient’s cancer stage.
The Symptoms of Pleural Tumors
LFTPs may not have any symptoms. They are most often present when the patient’s chest is x-rayed for some other purposes. However, metastatic pleural tumors generate symptoms that are similar to those of lung cancer or some other serious chest ailments. These symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath when active
- Cough
- General discomfort or uneasiness
- Unintended weight loss
The Causes of Pleural Tumors
One of the main causes of metastatic pleural tumors has been the complications from mesothelioma, which is lung cancer linked with the exposure to asbestos. However, some other cancers can metastasize to pleural space, too. Very little is known regarding the cause of LFPTs, typically the majority of these tumors which are benign. There appears to be some connection between metastatic LFPTs and either smoking or the exposure to asbestos.
The Diagnosis of Pleural Tumors
There are copious procedures at doctor’s disposal to run diagnosis, which include:
- Viewing the pleural space by usingthoracoscope to evaluate its characteristics
- Performing CT (computed tomography) scan in order to derive additional “internal” information
- Tapping on patient’s chest and listening for a dull sound
- Listening to the sound of patient’s breathing using a stethoscope
- Taking x-ray so as to reveal the make-up and condition of the chest area
