Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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If you are familiar with Mesothelioma, you are aware it’s a rare, but aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. A very small number are diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Each year there are approximately 100-400 cases reported in the US.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is cancer that affects the abdominal lining, which is why it is often referred to as Abdominal Mesothelima. The lining covers the abdomen and it’s containing organs.

It can take several years for Pertoneal Mesothelioma symptoms to show. The cancer forms when the asbestos fibers get stuck in the mesothelial cells.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

The most common symptom of Peritoneal Mesothelioma is from abdomen pain and/or abdomen swelling. However, it is very hard to pin point Peritoneal Mesothelioma from a simple doctor visit. For one, the cancer may be from asbestos exposure from 20-50 years ago, and the patient usually thinks back to recent activity that could have caused the pain/swelling. Two, in a review on Peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer, only 35% reported abdomen pain, and an even less 31%, reported abdomen swelling.

Other Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

Weight loss
Changes in bowel movements
Night sweats and hypercoagulability
Fever
Nausea
Anemia

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma Cancer in general, not just Peritoneal Mesothelioma is often hard to diagnose because the symptoms are not unique. They are common symptoms associated with numerous other medical issues.

The most important thing to do is to visit your doctor and inform him of your medical past, work history, and any asbestos exposure you may have had.

The next step is to get some type of image scan done on the abdominal area An x-ray, CT Scan, or MRI may be used in this process. The doctor can also inspect the inside of the abdomen using a peritoneoscope.

If anything abnormal is found, the doctor will perform a biopsy on the cells collected. The doctor will thoroughly study the cells to see if they are malignant or not.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatments

Peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer treatment is similar to other forms of cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation may be required. It will be important to sit down with the doctor and go over the best treatment for you.