Nonexpandable Lung Symptom and Pleural Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma is cancer of a membrane that lines the inside of the body's cavities, such as the abdomen or chest. Three out of every four cases of mesothelioma disease begin in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can also begin in the abdominal cavity and around the heart. While asbestos-related mesothelioma usually begins in the lining of the lungs or the abdomen, it can also begin in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) and the tunica vaginalis (testicular mesothelioma).
How Asbestos Causes Health Problems
When asbestos is disturbed, it can enter the air or water and be inhaled or ingested. Once asbestos fibers enter the body, they can lodge there permanently. Asbestos fibers lodged in the lungs can irritate lung tissue, causing inflammation and scarring. Over time, this scarring of the lungs can cause lung tissue to be less flexible, more rigid, and reduce lung capacity. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, a dry cough or wheezing, chest pain, fatigue, and respiratory complications. These symptoms can be the early signs of mesothelioma.
What is Nonexpandable Lung?
When asbestos causes scarring to the lung tissue, it can reduce the ability of the lung to expand and contract, reducing lung capacity. When the lung can’t fully expand to the chest wall, unexpandable lung is present. Nonexpandable lung is also linked to an increase in coughing and shortness of breath.The first study to examine nonexpendable lung in mesothelioma was recently published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. The researchers observed 229 patients with mesothelioma from a single center between 2008 and 2017. In total, 83.3% of these patients presented with pleural effusion or fluid in the lungs. Of these patients, 33.3% had nonexpendable lung. Patients in this group more frequently reported breathlessness and cough (90.6% and 51.6%), in contrast to chest pain, which was less common in this group with only 34.4% reporting it. The researchers concluded that nonexpendable lung can also be a predictor of mortality in mesothelioma cases.According to the authors, the study “demonstrated that [nonexpandable lung] is a relatively common phenomenon that is associated with significant symptomatology and shorter survival.” While the results of this study can be frightening, if you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos, you should see a doctor immediately for an evaluation.Contact our office with any questions regarding asbestos exposure, mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. We have been helping victims of asbestos illnesses since 1972. There's no cost for a consultation. Call 888-910-MESO (6376) or contact us via our website at /contact/.
