Effusion The term
effusion refers to the accumulation of excess fluid in particular spaces inside the body. In particular,
pleural effusion - the type which most often affects
mesothelioma patients -refers to the accumulation of fluid between the two membranes that envelop the lung. These membranes are called the visceral and parietal pleura. The first wraps around the lung and the second lines the inner chest wall. Though a small amount of fluid is normally present between the membranes, acting as lubrication, if more than 3 or 4 tablespoons is present, patients can experience difficulty breathing and other problems. In fact, the most prominent signs of
pleural effusion are labored breathing and chest pain, though some patients with effusion present few
symptoms. Sometimes the fluid is discovered during a routine exam or by means of an x-ray if a problem is suspected. Besides mesothelioma, pleural effusion can also be caused by heart or kidney failure, low levels of albumin in the blood, infections such as tuberculosis, or a pulmonary embolism. The
treatment of pleural effusion involves the draining of the fluid so that the patient is more comfortable. That is accomplished usually by means of a procedure known as thoracentesis, which drains the fluid via a thin needle inserted in the pleural area. This is often done on an outpatient basis. For more severe cases of pleural effusion, a type of
surgery known as pleurodesis is used. During this surgery, a talc-like substance is introduced into the pleura, causing inflammation and scarring on the pleural surfaces so that the parietal and visceral pleura adhere. This closes the space, so fluid cannot accumulate. In some cases, successful
chemotherapy may eliminate the effusion as well.
