Skip to content
Mesothelioma.net
phone iconCall1-800-692-8608 chat icon Chat 24/7 Live Chat
Menu
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • About Mesothelioma
      • How to Survive Mesothelioma
      • 100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma (Free Book)
      • Symptoms
      • Diagnosis
      • Prognosis
      • Life Expectancy
    • Types
      • Pleural
      • Peritoneal
      • Epithelioid
      • Sarcomatoid
      • Biphasic
    • Stages
      • Stage 1
      • Stage 2
      • Stage 3
      • Stage 4
    • Additional Information
      • Causes
      • Asbestos and Its Dangers
      • Facts
      • Support
      • Financial Compensation
      • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
  • Treatment
    • Treatment Options
      • Surgery
      • Chemotherapy
      • Radiation Therapy
      • Multimodal Therapy
      • Medications
      • Palliative Treatment
    • Find Top Doctors
      • Doctors
      • Treatment Centers
      • Treatment & Doctors Near You
      • New Treatments
      • Care Providers
      • Clinical Trials
      • Costs
  • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
  • Veteran Assistance
    • Mesothelioma and Veterans
      • VA Claims for Mesothelioma
      • Vietnam Veterans
    • Military Branches and Asbestos
      • Navy Veterans
      • Navy Ships
      • Marine Corps Veterans
      • Army Veterans
      • Air Force Veterans
      • U.S. Coast Guard
  • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • About Us / Contact
  • Home
  • ›
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
  • ›
  • Related Conditions
  • ›
  • Pleural Thickening
Page Updated: June 30, 2022

Pleural Thickening

Anne Courtney Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Anne Courtney, AOCNP, DNP

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Fact Checked

This page has been fact-checked by a Doctor of nursing practice specializing in Oncology and has experience working with mesothelioma patients.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article. We make every attempt to keep our information accurate and up-to-date. 

Please Contact Us with any questions or comments.

Diffuse pleural thickening is a disease that causes the pleura, layers of tissue around the lungs, to thicken.[1] Pleural thickening may be a symptom of mesothelioma and related conditions, or it may be benign. It causes difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and chest pains.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

What Causes Pleural Thickening?

While pleural thickening is a common result of asbestos exposure, asbestos is just one potential cause of this condition:[1]

  • When someone is exposed to asbestos over a long period of time, the fibers of this mineral often lodge in tissues like the lungs and pleura. In the pleura, asbestos fibers can trigger inflammation, resulting in fibrous scar tissue and collagen deposits. Pleural thickening caused by asbestos is often benign but may also be a symptom of malignant mesothelioma.
  • Another medical condition that causes pleural thickening is a type of inflammation called fibrinous pleurisy and empyema. This condition is an accumulation of mucus in the space between the pleura.
  • A pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the vessels leading to the lungs, may also cause pleural thickening.

Localized areas of thickening are called pleural plaques. These are not the same as diffuse pleural thickening. Plaques may precede malignant tumors but do not cause symptoms like difficulty breathing.

Symptoms

Pleural thickening is progressive, worsening with time. In earlier stages, it may not cause many symptoms, much like mesothelioma. This is why anyone exposed to asbestos should receive screenings early and often. As thickening worsens, a person may experience breathlessness and chest pain.[2]

When pleural thickening becomes severe, it may lead to a condition called restrictive lung disease. This occurs when the lungs become so encased in fibrous scar tissue that they cannot fully expand.

This causes decreased lung volume and forces the patient to work harder to breathe. When this condition becomes severe, it can lead to respiratory failure and death.

Diagnosis

Pleural thickening does not develop in everyone who is exposed to asbestos, but it is not uncommon. If you came into contact with asbestos on the job, get regular lung screenings. 

Diagnosis for pleural thickening usually begins with a description of symptoms, including shortness of breath and chest pain, combined with known asbestos exposure.

After a physical exam, the next step is imaging the chest cavity. Imaging scans can show thickening, plaques, and other abnormalities in the chest. A chest X-ray is a typical first screening; although, it may not show everything necessary for diagnosis.

A CT, or computed tomography scan, gives a clearer picture of what is happening in the lungs and pleura. These scans are high resolution and allow doctors to distinguish between pleural thickening and pleural plaques.

Distinguishing between benign pleural thickening and malignant mesothelioma is not easy. A doctor may choose to follow a CT scan with a PET scan (positron emission tomography) to help determine if thickening is benign or cancerous.[2]

While this may not be enough for a firm diagnosis, it can determine if a biopsy is necessary. If pleural thickening is greater than one centimeter or there are nodules in the tissue, these are signs the thickening is malignant.

Treatment

Early diagnosis is essential because pleural thickening is progressive. It will only worsen without treatment. If caused by mesothelioma, early treatment is especially important. Damage caused by pleural thickening cannot be reversed, though treatment can slow progression and relieve symptoms.

Pain medication is a standard treatment for benign pleural thickening. A doctor may also prescribe bronchodilators to dilate airways. In addition, a patient may receive steroids to reduce inflammation.

Decortication surgery can remove some of the restrictive fibrous scar tissue; however, this is not a common procedure, especially if the thickening is related to other asbestos conditions like mesothelioma.[2]

Few mesothelioma patients are good candidates for surgical treatment, but for those who are, surgery can relieve symptoms of pleural thickening.

Other treatment strategies include respiratory aides, like oxygen tanks and respirators.[2]

Outlook

The outlook for diffuse pleural thickening is highly dependent on several factors. If the underlying condition can be treated, the outlook is typically positive.

If the underlying cause is mesothelioma, the prognosis is poor. Mesothelioma is challenging to treat and nearly incurable. Treatments at an early stage may successfully relieve symptoms and slow the progression of damage to the pleura. Unfortunately, reversing the damage is not possible.

Life expectancy also depends on the underlying cause. For late-stage mesothelioma, it may be a year or less. For another cause, it depends on how treatable the underlying condition is.

If you have been diagnosed with pleural thickening and believe you were exposed to asbestos, talk to your doctor about the possibility of mesothelioma. Insist on screening for this type of cancer and understand your options for treating the symptoms of pleural thickening. With treatment and good management, you can experience some relief from this uncomfortable condition.

Get Your FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Anne Courtney, AOCNP, DNP

Anne Courtney

Anne Courtney has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and is an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner. She has years of oncology experience working with patients with malignant mesothelioma, as well as other types of cancer. Dr. Courtney currently works at University of Texas LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes.

Connect with Doctor of Nursing Practice Anne Courtney
References
  1. National Asbestos Helpline. (2020, March 17). What is Diffuse Pleural Thickening?
    Retrieved from: https://www.nationalasbestos.co.uk/news/what-is-diffuse-pleural-thickening/
  2. Miles, S.E., Sandrini, A., Johnson, A.R., and Yates, D.H. (2008). Clinical Consequences of Asbestos-Related Diffuse Pleural Thickening: A Review. J. Occup. Med. Toxicol. 3, 20.
    Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2553409/
View All References

Site Navigation

Home
Malignant Mesothelioma
How to Survive Mesothelioma
100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma (Free Book)
Surviving Mesothelioma - Beating the Odds (Free Book)
FREE Mesothelioma Packet
Symptoms
Shortness of Breath
Cough
Night Sweats and Fever
Weight Loss
Pain
Difficulty Swallowing
Fatigue and Muscle Weakness
Gastrointestinal Complications
Diagnosis
Pathology
Staging
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Metastasis and Progression
Brain Metastasis
Biopsy
miRview Test
Imaging
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy in Mesothelioma
Biomarkers and Blood Tests
Calretinin
Prognosis
Remission
Recurrence
Death Rate
Life Expectancy
Search for a Mesothelioma Cure
Types
Pleural
Peritoneal
Epithelioid
Sarcomatoid
Biphasic
Pericardial
Testicular
Cell Types
Rare Subtypes of Mesothelioma
Deciduoid
Desmoplastic
Heterologous
Lymphohistiocytoid
Well-Differentiated Papillary
Tubulopapillary
Small Cell
Benign
Adenomatoid
Cystic
Unresectable
Localized
Idiopathic
Omental
Causes
Risk Factors
Latest Research
Genetic Components
Incidence
Latency Period
Mesothelioma Tumor
Health Insurance Coverage
Related Conditions
Immunodeficiency Disorders
Cholangiocarcinoma
Atelectasis
Pleural Plaques
Pleural Thickening
Pleural Effusion
Peritoneal Effusion (Ascites)
Mesothelial Hyperplasia and Proliferation
Pleuritis and Pleurisy
COPD
Anemia
Breast Cancer
Prevention
Complications
Misdiagnosis
Mesothelioma Commercial
Talcum Baby Powder
Lawyer
Lawsuits
Class Action Lawsuits
Settlements
Simian Virus 40
Differences From Other Cancers
Lung Cancer
Women
Children and Young Adults
Unknown Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma Without Asbestos
Cause of Death
Facts 
History
Awareness
Government and Research
National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank
Support
What to Expect
Living with Mesothelioma
Help a Loved One
Wrong and Right Things to Say
Caregivers
Financial Tips
Faith
Nutrition and Lifestyle
Intimacy
Mesothelioma and Fertility in Men
Fertility in Women with Mesothelioma
Emotional Health
COVID-19
Assisted Living
Hospice Care
Dying from Mesothelioma
Mourning
Coping Guide for Children
End-of-Life Decisions
Mesothelioma Awareness Day
Compensation for Victims
Lawyer
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington D.C.
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Lawsuit
Settlements
Statute of Limitations
Treatment
Surgery
Side Effects
Pneumonectomy
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
Lobectomy
Pleurectomy/Decortication
Post Op Care
Pleurectomy/Decortication vs. Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
Peritonectomy/Cytoreductive Surgery
Thoracotomy
Thoracoscopy
Pericardiectomy
Wedge Resection
Pleurodesis
Pericardiocentesis
Prosthetics
Paracentesis
Thoracentesis
Chemotherapy
Side Effects
Heated Intraperitoneal
Radiation Therapy
Side Effects
Intensity-Modulated
Brachytherapy
Proton Therapy
Image-Guided
External Beam
Three-Dimensional
Multimodal Therapy
New Treatments
SMART Protocol
Gene Therapy
Suicide Gene Therapy
Tumor-Based p53 Therapy
Cryotherapy for Mesothelioma
Tumor Treating Fields
MicroRNA
Palliative Treatment
Osteopathic
Doctors
Treatment Centers
Treatment & Doctors Near You
Mesothelioma Experts
Medications
Alimta (pemetrexed)
Adriamycin (doxorubicin)
Avastin (bevacizumab)
Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
Gemzar (gemcitabine)
Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)
Mitomycin
Navelbine (vinorelbine)
Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab)
Paraplatin (carboplatin)
Platinol (cisplatin)
Rheumatrex (methotrexate)
Sutent (sunitinib)
Taxol (paclitaxel)
Medical Marijuana
Care Providers
Clinical Trials
Anetumab Ravtansine
Atezolizumab
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell
Durvalumab
Immunotoxin
Interferon Alfa-2b
Onconase (Ranpirnase)
VISTA Protein
Costs
Immunotherapy
Nanotechnology
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Home Medical Equipment
HMGB1 Secretion
Photodynamic Therapy
Targeted Therapies
Apoptosis
Stem Cells
Lung Transplantation
Body-Based Therapies
Alternative Therapies
Paul Kraus’s Method
Doctors and Treatment in Canada
Asbestos Trusts
Veterans
VA Claims for Mesothelioma
Vietnam Veterans
Military Branches and Asbestos
Navy Veterans
Navy Ships
Aircraft Carriers
Battleships
Destroyers
Asbestos on Navy Cruisers
Submarines
Amphibious Ships
Minesweepers
Auxiliary Ships
Marine Corps Veterans
Army Veterans
Air Force Veterans
U.S. Coast Guard
Asbestos
Occupational Exposure
Construction Workers
Shipyard Workers
Ship Repair
Steel Mill Workers
Industrial Workers
Boiler Workers
Power Plant Workers
Firefighters
Automotive Workers
Roofers
Oil Refineries
Mining
Transportation Industry
Machine Operators
Farmers and Agricultural Workers
Migrant Workers
Electrical Wiring
Labor Unions
Prisons
Chimneys, Furnaces, and Wood Stoves
Fiberglass Connection to Mesothelioma
Home Remodeling
School Buildings, Teachers
For Tech Students
Cancer
Lung Cancer
Pleural Based Cancers
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits
Companies That Used Asbestos
Awareness and Education
Types of Asbestos & Mesothelioma Risk
Asbestosis
Interstitial Lung Disease
Smoking
Asbestos Ingestion
Exposure in a Natural Disaster
Ban Asbestos
Libby, Montana
Recycling Asbestos
Asbestos Detection
Legal Information by State
Canada
Mexico
United Kingdom
Australia
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • Treatment
    • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
    • Veteran Assistance
    • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
    • Mesothelioma News
    • About Us / Contact
  • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Editorial Guidelines and Standards
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
The information provided by Mesothelioma.net is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Mesothelioma.net

5430 LBJ Freeway Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75240

Serving mesothelioma victims nationwide

1-800-692-8608

  • facebook
  • twitter
© 2022 Mesothelioma.net