Peritoneal mesothelioma is known as one of the four main types of malignant asbestos cancer or mesothelioma. The name is derived from the area where the cancer cells develop, along the peritoneum, which is also known as the lining of th abdomen. About 250to 500 cases of peritoneal mesothelioma, which include peritoneal, are found in the United States every year, which makes it the second most common type of mesothelioma.
All mesotheliomas initially stem from the extended exposure to asbestos, commonly at work. People that are diagnosed with the disease oftentimes can pinpoint a time in their lives when they were around asbestos fibers, dust, or products for a sustained time. This particular exposure results in ingestion or inhalation of tiny asbestos particles which can generate cancerous cells and then tumors.
Mesothelioma in the Peritoneum
The peritoneum denotes a protective membrane which surrounds the abdomen, or stomach. It has a couple of layer. And mesothelioma can develop on any of these. The parietal layer covers abdominal cavity, while the visceral layer is present around the stomach, liver, and some other organs of the stomach. Together, the layers wok to support the abdominal cavity as one unity and the organs located within it.
What Causes Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
Even though there has yet to be any definitive answer available, experts specializing in cancer most commonly relate the causes of peritoneal mesothelioma with the following notions:
- Asbestos fibers which are swallowed travel from digestive system to peritoneum.
- Asbestos fibers which are inhaled reach the area of peritoneum through lymphatic system, which generates and stores calls which fight disease.
The Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Early symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include abdominal pain or perhaps swelling, and constipation or diarrhea. Unluckily, some of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma do not experience any symptoms until the cells of tumor have metastasized. This particular scenario makes treating the ailment hard and also making it even harder for patents for surviving. The latest advances in medical technology allows specialists and doctors to run diagnosis on the disease earlier than ever before.
Some Common Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
It is also likely that you do not experience any cancerous symptoms for twenty to fifty years after the first exposure to asbestos. Once asbestos fibers reach your peritoneum and start irritating the cells, the peritoneal lining begins to get thicker. As the cancer grows and develops, the buildup of excess fluid in the belly, which is known as ascites, might occur subsequently. Over the time, the tumors will grow and place pressure on the organs. The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include the followings:
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats or fever
- Anemia
- Changes in bowel habits(which includes diarrhea or constipation)
- Diarrhea or constipation
- A feeling of fullness
The Diagnosis of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The most recent advances in medical technology enables doctors to diagnose this disease way earlier than ever before, but even skilled and experienced cancer specialists can struggle to diagnose it precisely. In reality, the process can take some months to accomplish. Peritoneal mesothelioma is responsible for ten to twenty percent of all diagnosed cases of asbestos-related cancers.
Diagnostic Process for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The overall process of diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma resembles that of other types. It first begins with a thorough examination of your medical history, overall physical condition, and occupational history, followed by a series of exams or tests which include imaging scans as well as biopsies. You have to be sure to mention any history of your exposure to asbestos, even if your specialists do not ask or forget. It is very important to share every single information you have in your mind, which includes the dates of the incidents took place and the length and duration of the exposures to asbestos. This very information will alarm your doctors regarding the possibility of an asbestos-related disease and can help them to decide on the appropriate next steps to treat your disease.
In as much as this cancer is quite rare, doctors that lack the experience with mesothelioma often misapprehend patients with mesothelioma with the more common sickness that have similar symptoms, which is a serious mistake which delays proper and apt treatment. The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms like abdominal swelling, hernia, and weight loss will also occur in other abdominal cancers and a lot of less serious conditions, which increases the likelihood of misdiagnosis. If you have a history of asbestos exposure, the best way to assure an accurate diagnosis is to arrange an appointment with a doctor or specialist. Doctors that particularly specialize in mesothelioma and some other asbestos-related illnesses have the knowledge as well as the tools required to make an immediate diagnosis and point out all the possible treatment options which are available to you.
There are two methods of diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma. First, you can opt for imaging scanning. When patient is experiencing symptoms like swelling or pain in the abdomen, doctors will ask for a chest X-ray, computed tomography scan, or another trait of imaging scan. Another possible option is biopsies. Radiologic biopsies are known as minor procedure which pull fluid and tissue samples which can be inspected using a microscope and can be operated for other tests, as well.
Prognosis of Patients with Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The survival rates of peritoneal mesothelioma are better among people with an early diagnosis (stage one and stage two) than the late states (stage three and stage four), which makes early detection important key in improving patient’s prognosis. Stage one and stage two diagnoses particularly give doctors more alternatives for treatment and also gives the patient more time for the treatments to work. Even though the stage of the cancer plays the most important factor in determining the survival rate early, other aspects about the cancer can be useful. The location of tumors, the cell type, patient’s age and health all come at work. Someone that can withstand aggressive treatments like surgical ways oftentimes have improved long-term prognosis. One convincing and innovative treatment, HIPEC, combining surgery and heated chemotherapy, is useful to extend the survival rates by several years. Commonly patients with peritoneal mesothelioma have a life expectancy of 50 to 60 months after initial diagnosis.
