Pleural mesothelioma begins in the lining surrounding the lungs and is the most frequently diagnosed. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between pleural mesothelioma (because it’s also within the chest cavity and often occurs in smokers) and lung cancer.
There are three types of mesothelioma tumors that can develop in the lining that surrounds the lungs:
- Epithelioid is the most frequently diagnosed type of tumor and has the best prognosis. It is usually treated with chemotherapy, and if caught early enough, surgery.
- Sarcomatoid is a type of mesothelioma that’s less frequently seen, and it is usually more resistant to chemotherapy.
- Mixed (or biphasic) is a tumor that is made up of both epithelioid and sarcomatoid types.
There is no such thing as a routine cancer. Every patient’s disease is different, with individually unique genes and molecules driving that specific disease. At the OSUCCC – James, our mesothelioma specialists and subspecialists are world-renowned cancer experts who focus solely on these tumors and who reach across medical disciplines (medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, geneticists, pharmacists, nutritionists and more) to design the very best treatment plan and therapies to each patient’s specific cancer.
In fact, our unique Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinic offers all newly diagnosed patients an on-site, thorough evaluation and treatment-options review with experts from medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and more – often all on the same day – so that together, the patient and the experts can decide on the best personalized treatment options.
Additionally, patients have access to advanced treatment procedures performed only at the OSUCCC – James by internationally recognized experts in mesothelioma. And by offering access to some of the country’s most advanced clinical trials right here at the OSUCCC – James, patients know that additional options, when needed, are often available for their treatment and care.
View available mesothelioma clinical trials
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, would like a second opinion or would like to speak with a mesothelioma specialist, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma grows on the linings of the lungs and chest wall and often causes thickening of these linings and fluid to collect in the chest. Three of the most frequently seen symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue.
Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have mesothelioma. But if you have symptoms, you should tell your doctor, especially if the symptoms have continued for more than a few weeks.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, would like a second opinion or would like to speak with a cancer specialist, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.