Pleural Effusion and Asbestos

Pleural effusion, a build-up of large amounts of fluid in the pleural cavity, is among the many conditions that affect people with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Pleural effusion can be uncomfortable and limit mobility. Treatment includes draining the fluid from the chest cavity.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. There is currently over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds set up for victims of asbestos-related diseases. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.

Pleural Effusion Symptoms

Sometimes people with pleural effusion exhibit only one to two symptoms, whereas another person may have multiple symptoms. The possible signs and symptoms include:

• Chest pain that increases when inhaling
• Dry, hacking cough
• General feeling of uneasiness and discomfort
• Frequent hiccups
• Rapid, short breaths
• Orthopnea, the inability to breathe normally unless sitting upright

Pleural Effusion Causes

Mesothelioma or asbestosis, conditions resulting from asbestos exposure, are two causes of pleural effusion.

When someone inhales asbestos fibers, they reach the pleural lining of the lungs. While some fibers excrete naturally from the body, it’s impossible to get rid of every asbestos fiber entering the body. Over time, the microscopic asbestos fibers cause pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Pleural effusion can be transudative (a watery fluid build-up) or exudative (protein fluid build-up). Aside from asbestos exposure, other common reasons that pleural effusion develops include:

Exudative:

• Pneumonia
• Kidney diseases
• Pulmonary diseases

Transudative:

• Open-heart surgery
• Pulmonary diseases
• Cirrhosis
• Heart failure

Sometimes pleural effusion is caused by certain medications, radiation therapy, and stomach surgery.

Other causes, although rare, include tuberculosis, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and chest bleeding due to trauma.

Pleural Effusion Diagnosis

The starting point in diagnosing pleural effusion is usually X-ray imaging that allows physicians to view the fluid accumulation in the pleura. Other ways of viewing the fluid build-up may include a CT scan or chest ultrasound.

A thoracoscopy is performed if there isn’t enough fluid for a proper diagnosis via imaging. A thoracoscopy is a procedure that involves inserting a thin tube, known as a thoracoscope, into the chest via a small incision.

The thoracoscope allows doctors to view the lungs, pleura, and surrounding areas more in-depth. In most cases, a sample of the fluid is taken to analyze it for cancer cells or bacterial infections.

Doctors will also look for physical signs when diagnosing, such as abnormal breathing sounds, reduced chest movement, and diminished vocal resonance.

Pleural Effusion Treatment

The type of treatment for pleural effusion depends on individual factors in each case and may include:

• People with heart failure may require diuretics, heart medication, and in severe cases, a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
• For patients with a respiratory illness, the fluid is normally drained via therapeutic thoracentesis.
• Uncontrollable fluid build-up after drainage may require thoracentesis as well as sclerosing-type drug, which helps to reduce and heal scarring.

For people with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses, there is a chance that, along with repeated thoracentesis treatments, patients may need surgery if the fluid fails to drain on its own or returns continuously.

Pleurodesis

Pleurodesis is a form of therapeutic surgery reserved for those with lung cancer and other similar conditions, including mesothelioma.

Although it doesn’t cure pleural effusions, it helps ease symptoms and reduce pain.

A pleurodesis procedure involves draining the excess fluid build-up from the pleura areas. The fluid should be emptied as much as possible for the best results.

Then, a surgeon or doctor administers either a chemical or mechanical pleurodesis:

• Mechanical pleurodesis is the most invasive of the two, which involves fusing the linings of both lungs together to prevent additional buildup.
• Chemical pleurodesis is much more common and less invasive. It involves inserting talc chalk into the chest via a tube and small incision.

Once the talc is in the patient’s chest, they lie down for several hours, allowing the chalk to distribute evenly. The talc is removed after it’s been distributed, allowing the affected pleural areas to seal up.

Pleural Effusion Prognosis

Pleural effusion is almost always the result of another, usually more severe, underlying condition, such as mesothelioma.

Although mesothelioma is treatable, there is currently no cure, and if it has progressed to the point of pleural effusion, the disease is usually in an advanced stage.

Consequently, the prognosis is typically poor. The treatments for pleural effusion are palliative rather than curative, meaning the main goal is to help reduce inflammation and pain and help the patient live more comfortably.

According to John E. Heffner, MD, FCCP, the average survival rate for patients with malignant pleural effusions involved in research on the disease was around four months. In a study of over 417 patients, only 13% survived a year after treatment.

Studies are still ongoing regarding minimal pleural effusion (less than 10 mm of fluid build-up). The Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests that it is an early phase of the inevitable malignant pleural effusion.

Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms of pleural effusion, especially if you had contact with asbestos in the past. You may also want to contact an asbestos law firm to discuss your legal rights.

Legal Help with Pleural Effusion

If you’ve been injured by mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. If you have questions or need additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.