Mesothelioma Lawyer

Pleurodesis

Shortness of breath is one of the main and first occurring symptoms of mesothelioma. The shortness of breath is due to the buildup of fluid between tissue covering the lungs and lining the chest wall. The presence of fluid in the area prevents the lungs from expanding fully which in turn causes the shortness of breath.

Pleurodesis, a surgical procedure, prevents the buildup of fluid by putting something else in the area which makes the tissue stick together. It also relieves some of the symptoms. The surgery itself is performed by either thoracotomy (an incision into the chest cavity large enough for a surgeon) or thoracoscopy (surgery performed with the use of a camera that is much less invasive).

Pleurodesis does not actual treat mesothelioma but it does treat some of the side effects making living with the disease slightly more bearable. Because it does not treat the disease but rather the side effects, pleurodesis is a palliative surgery. While chemotherapy and radiation have been used to treat mesothelioma, so far nothing has been successful at curing the disease.

Mesothelioma has seen an increase in its occurrence in the past 20 or so years but has been occurring since WWII. It is caused by repeated inhalation of asbestos fibers which get caught in the lungs and cause malignant cells to form in the lungs.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact the mesothelioma lawyers at Williams and Kherkher.