Pleural Cancer Treatment

Tumors located in the cavity between the chest wall and lungs that include pleural fluid are almost always metastatic. Cancerous pleural tumors are commonly secondary cancers that have spread to the pleural region from somewhere else—typically the lungs. Cancer cells travel into this area through the lymph system or bloodstream. They can produce one or more cancerous tumors. Additionally, they can trigger an abnormal amount of pleural fluid in the chest cavity—something known as pleural effusion. When oncologists can extract and evaluate the fluid, it can be used to diagnose pleural cancer. Otherwise, the tumors are often noticed during x-rays for other purposes.

Symptoms of pleural tumors are similar to lung cancers, and can include the following:

• Shortness of breath during activity
• Cough
• Chest pain
• General discomfort or uneasiness
• Unintended weight loss

Pleural tumors are typically caused due to complications from mesothelioma, though other types of cancer can also metastasize to the plural region. They are a rare form of cancer, and certainly warrant specialized treatment at a specialty cancer hospital. Trust our team for precision pleural cancer diagnostics and treatment, as well as compassionate care that you won’t find at other cancer centers in NJ.