PLEURAL THICKENING

Pleural thickening can indicate the presence of mesothelioma or asbestosis – both serious asbestos-related diseases.

April 14, 2010 – Pleural thickening. The pleura is the tissue that lines the chest cavity and the outside of the lungs. A healthy pleura is elastic and plays an important role in helping a person breathe.

If the pleura is scarred or damaged, however, the tissue lining can lose its elasticity and cause great difficulty breathing.

Work-site asbestos exposure is known to lead to several lung conditions, including pleural plaques, pleural effusions, and pleural thickening.

What is pleural thickening?

Of these three conditions, pleural thickening is the most troubling as it interferes with a patient’s breathing and is usually an indicator of a serious, life-threatening disease.

For example, pleural thickening can signal the presence of asbestosis, or mesothelioma – a rare cancer of the pleura often caused by job-related asbestos exposure.

Malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma of the pleural cavity is a deadly cancer that affects the tissue lining of the lungs. Mesothelioma is most often contracted through the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers.

Mesothelioma is a fatal disease in every case. There are approximately 3,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States every year.

Weitz & Luxenberg – Champion to blue-collar workers

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you are advised to speak with a mesothelioma attorney who can help you recover compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and suffering.

Protect your family’s financial future today. Discover if you are eligible for compensation today by using the Weitz & Luxenberg communication form at left. The consultation is confidential and absolutely free.