What Is Cancer of the Pleura?

Pleural mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura, which is the membrane that lines the lungs and the chest cavity.

Photos of lung cancer will show whether it is around the lungs or it is affecting the heart. Symptoms of cancer of the pleura may not become apparent until many years after the first exposure to asbestos. People with cancer of the pleura usually experience some difficulty in breathing and pains in the chest. Other signs of cancer of the pleura may include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or coughing up blood. Most patients with cancer of the pleura have pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest.

Photo's of lung cancer can show the difference between cancer of the pleura and pericardial mesothelioma, which is a cancerous growth in the tissues surrounding the heart. The early symptoms indicating pericardial mesothelioma include chest pain, coughing, and possibly heart palpitations. People displaying the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are usually given either an X-Ray or a CT scan to look for evidence of pericardial mesothelioma.

Some other form of photos of lung cancer such as the CT scan is necessary to diagnosis mesothelioma in either form.