Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer
Peritoneal mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that manifests as an aggressive tumor in the peritoneum, which is the thin layer of cell walls that envelops an abdominal cavity. The disease is currently regarded as being universally fatal, and is documented as striking between 200 and 500 United States citizens every year.
Asbestos and Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Individuals who frequently work with asbestos at their place of employment place themselves at risk for developing peritoneal mesothelioma. This includes workers at power plants, shipyards, steel mills, construction sites and aluminum plants.
No one knows exactly how asbestos reaches the peritoneum, but it is generally considered to be the result of either inhaling asbestos or ingesting it. For inhaled asbestos to reach the peritoneum, it would have to travel through the lungs and lymph nodes of one's lymphatic system. For ingested asbestos to reach the peritoneum, the asbestos fibers would be digested and then work their way to this membrane from one's digestive organs. The peritoneal mesothelioma can take decades to manifest after the initial asbestos exposure.
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Most of the symptoms associated with peritoneal mesothelioma arise from the thickening of the peritoneum and fluid building up in its layers. These symptoms include pain and swelling in the abdomen, constipation, fevers, nausea, vomiting, night sweats, sudden weight loss, fatigue and anemia.
Diagnosis
As a doctor cannot form a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma based strictly on one's symptoms, any individual who was exposed to asbestos during their employment history should immediately inform their physician of this fact. This can save substantial time in a diagnosis, as this condition is rare.
To diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma, a doctor will first examine a patient's medical history and physical condition before moving on to diagnostic testing. This diagnostic testing can include imaging, fluid and tissue examinations.
To detect a peritoneum-based tumor, a doctor will typically use an x-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan. If a scan reveals the presence of peritoneal mesothelioma, a biopsy will be performed. During this biopsy, a thin needle will be used to remove tissue or fluid from the patient's peritoneum. Once the biopsy is completed, a doctor will know whether or not an individual is afflicted with peritoneal mesothelioma.
Treatment
Unfortunately, a cure for peritoneal mesothelioma has yet to be found, which means that a peritoneal mesothelioma patient's prognosis will be poor.
In the rare cases when peritoneal mesothelioma is detected in its early stages, a patient can add years to their expected lifespan with surgical resection of the disease. Aside from these cases, peritoneal mesothelioma treatment is generally limited to pain relief and combating the cancer through techniques such as radiation and chemotherapy.
Learn More
For more information about peritoneal mesothelioma, you can call The Mesothelioma Center's Patient Advocates line at 1-800-615-2270 today. If it can be proven that you were unjustly exposed to asbestos, you may be due for financial compensation.