A pleural mesothelioma diagnosis means that cancerous tumors have developed in the pleura, the thin membrane that lines the chest cavity and covers the surface of the lungs. This membrane plays a critical role in normal breathing by allowing the lungs to expand and contract smoothly within the chest. When mesothelioma forms in this tissue, it disrupts that process in ways that grow progressively worse over time. The disease accounts for 80 to 90 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses and is caused almost exclusively by inhaling asbestos fibers.
At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., Joseph P. Williams has fought for pleural mesothelioma patients and their families since the early 1990s, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars from the companies responsible for asbestos exposure. We have never lost a mesothelioma case. If you or your family is facing this diagnosis, we are here to fight for you.
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they are small enough to travel deep into the lungs and embed themselves in the pleural tissue. The body cannot break down or expel these fibers, so they remain lodged in the tissue permanently. Over time, the fibers cause chronic inflammation and scarring that changes the structure of the cells in the pleura. These changes can eventually trigger the uncontrolled cell growth that leads to mesothelioma, though it typically takes 20 to 50 years for the disease to develop after the initial exposure.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, up to 95 percent of pleural mesothelioma patients also develop a condition called pleural effusion, which is a buildup of excess fluid between the two layers of the pleura. This fluid compresses the lung and prevents it from expanding fully, which is why shortness of breath is often the first symptom that brings patients to a doctor. A 2025 study published in Scientific Reports found that pleural effusion is associated with poorer overall and cancer-specific survival, regardless of patient age, cancer stage, or treatment approach.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma primarily affect the lungs and chest and often resemble those of more common respiratory conditions, such as pneumonia or chronic bronchitis. This resemblance is one reason why the disease is frequently misdiagnosed in its early stages.
Respiratory symptoms that patients commonly experience include the following:
As the disease progresses, these symptoms intensify. Patients in later stages of mesothelioma may experience severe respiratory distress as tumors merge into sheet-like masses that encase the lung and restrict its movement entirely. By stage four, the cancer may spread beyond the chest to distant organs including the liver, bones, and abdomen.
In its earliest stage, pleural mesothelioma tumors are small and localized to the pleura on one side of the chest. At this point, the lung may still function relatively well, and some patients are candidates for surgery to remove the tumors and the affected pleural tissue. A pleurectomy with decortication removes the pleura and visible tumor while preserving the lung. In contrast, an extrapleural pneumonectomy removes the entire lung along with the pleura, part of the diaphragm, and surrounding tissue.
As the cancer advances, it invades deeper layers of the chest wall, the diaphragm, and eventually the lung tissue itself. The lung becomes increasingly trapped by scar tissue and tumor growth, and its ability to inflate diminishes with each stage. Procedures like thoracentesis and pleurodesis can help manage fluid buildup and improve comfort, but they do not treat the cancer itself. Your medical team can help you evaluate all available treatment options based on your specific diagnosis, overall health, and personal goals for care.
If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, the companies that manufactured and sold the asbestos products responsible for your exposure may owe you significant compensation. Joe Williams will personally meet with you in your home to review your case and begin pursuing every dollar you are owed.
We have dedicated our practice to fighting for mesothelioma patients because we know these cases are the most serious a person could ever have. Schedule a free consultation with The Williams Law Firm, P.C., today.
As the founding partner of Williams Law Firm, Joseph P. Williams has dedicated over 30 years to representing mesothelioma victims and their families. His firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for those affected by asbestos exposure, offering personalized, aggressive legal advocacy. Based in New York, Williams Law Firm provides free consultations and handles cases nationwide.
