Peritoneal Mesothelioma - Abdomen Cancer

Peritoneal mesothelioma, a type of abdomen cancer, is a rare disease. The tissue lining the abdomen is called the peritoneum. It helps to protect the contents of the abdomen. It also produces a lubricating fluid. This helps the organs to move smoothly inside the abdomen as we move around.

Mesothelioma of the tissues lining the abdominal cavity is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is more common in men than women. The symptoms begin appearing about twenty to thirty years after the asbestos exposure and can assume life-threatening proportions, if not treated immediately.

A thin membrane of mesothellial cells, known as the peritoneum envelops many of the organs in the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a tumor that erupts on this membrane. Its only known cause is exposure to asbestos, and it is usually not discovered until the tumor has begun to grow.

Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma may be either benign or malignant.

The different stages of the malignant form of this cancer in a patient are presently determined by the tumor, lymph nodes and metastases system (TNM), which is used to determine general cancers.

The first level shows localized abrasions and is totally removable.

The second stage, where the disease affects the abdominal cavity on peritoneal and organ surfaces, is also curable by aggressive therapies.

In the third stage, the infection spreads inside vital organs like colon and liver, but stays inside the abdominal cavity. The malady reaches the fourth stage when the infection spreads from the abdominal cavity to the nearby areas.

There are at least two explanations for how asbestos fibers can get into the peritoneum. The first is that fibers caught by the mucus of the trachea and bronchi end up being swallowed. Some of them lodge in the intestinal tract and from there they can move through the intestinal wall into the peritoneum. The second explanation is that fibers that lodge in the lungs can move into the lymphatic system and be transported to the peritoneum.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma typically include weight loss, abdominal pains, loss of appetite, weakness, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space, a condition known as ascites. Over time the peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms can become more and more severe.

Additional symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are formation of lumps in abdomen, lack of proper functioning of digestive system, anemia etc. Before the symptoms of the cancer appear, some patients may experience uneasy feelings. It may also happen that peritoneal mesothelioma is diagnosed while the affected person goes for a check up related to some other health issues like pelvic mass, gall bladder, hernia, etc.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment

There are several treatment methods your doctor may pursue. The prognosis depends on various factors including the size and stage of the tumor, its extent, the cell type, and whether or not the tumor responds to treatment.

Typically, peritoneal mesothelioma treatments includes: Chemotherapy and other drug-based therapies, radiation therapy, and surgery. Innumerable side effects are associated with these treatments. Intake of vitamins and other vital nutrients may help the body manage these side effects to some extent.

Visit other pages on this site for more articles, news, links, videos and other Resources about Mesothelioma. About the Publisher: Scott Harker is the publisher of several websites including: Sherlock Holmes Pastiches, and Pin-ups.

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Posted on Wednesday December 31, 1969

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