Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Among the 2000-3000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed each year in the United States 10-20 percent of patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdomen, in mesothelial cells forms a layer membrane called the peritoneum.In an effort to help patients understand the peritoneal mesothelioma, offers a free package of information on treatment Asbestos.com individually to your specific diagnosis. The package also includes the nation's top medical centers and cancer mesothelioma, and financial assistance for medical expenses to cover the options. To receive your package in the mail, please enter your details below.
The peritoneum is a membranous layer thus two sub-levels called parietal and visceral. The parietal layer covers the abdominal cavity, while the visceral layer surrounding the abdominal organs. Together, these two layers provide support and protection for the abdominal organs and the abdominal cavity as a whole.
Mesothelioma of the abdomen, like all types of mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos. Although it may take many years of patient presenting with symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, cancer develops when asbestos fibers are placed in the spaces between mesothelial cells.
A patient with peritoneal mesothelioma do not show any symptoms of cancer for 20-50 years after exposure to asbestos, because it can take years to manifest mesothelioma. In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, the asbestos fibers travel in the peritoneal layers, where they cause irritation and inflammation and the cancer cells grow and divide uncontrollably. Cells cause a thickening of the peritoneum and the peritoneal fluid in the layers. Because cancer cells continue to divide the overtime, the tumors begin to form. Most symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may be caused by thickening of the membrane, fluid-structure and the possible development of tumors, and share the pressure on internal organs.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:
* Abdominal pain or swelling
* Changes in the stool (like diarrhea or constipation)
* The development of nodules under the skin on the belly
* Night sweats or fever
* Unexplained weight loss
* Nausea or vomiting
* Fatigue
* Anemia
A diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma can only be made on the basis of symptoms alone. The process begins with a careful history and physical examination of a constitution by means of advanced diagnostic tests such as imaging and monitoring fluid and tissue.
Imaging studies, such as X-rays or computed tomography is used to detect abnormalities in the body and a biopsy is usually performed to confirm that cancer is indeed involved in mesothelioma. A biopsy is a minor surgical procedure that is fluid or tissue taken from the peritoneum.
After the biopsy, the tissue fluid and tested in a laboratory in the presence of mesothelioma cells. If the biopsy shows again that the peritoneal mesothelioma in a patient, the doctor has in common with patients, a detailed treatment plan.
Peritoneal mesothelioma treatment
Although the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma may be difficult because the cancer is usually advanced for the later stages of development, doctors usually advise against the treatment of cancer patients and help in pain management. common treatment for patients with mesothelioma with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs for cancer cells and the target of radiotherapy and kill the object rapid share.
Although there is no known cure for peritoneal mesothelioma, patients may opt for a combination of treatments to undergo, or to participate in clinical trials to reduce pain and quality of life. Clinical trials are studies that patients living in qualifying in order to test drugs back and forth and treatment. All treatment options and medications must undergo clinical trials before they are considered safe and effective.
Some patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, which drugs directly injected into the abdominal cavity acts immediately after the operation. In some cases, patients initially with radiotherapy to shrink tumors before surgery.
Many patients are not good candidates for surgery because mesothelioma is often too large or widespread, because the patient's overall health is too poor to cope with the stress of surgery. These patients can select options for palliation are not trying to take a patient to heal, but work to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life of patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.
How can asbestos cause peritoneal mesothelioma?
There are two theories on how asbestos exposure causes the development of peritoneal mesothelioma:
* Asbestos fibers taken, and these fibers make their way from the digestive organs in the peritoneum.
* Asbestos fibers are inhaled and travel to the peritoneum via the lymphatic system.
Regardless of how the asbestos fibers between real peritoneal layers, once the membrane on the body, difficulty in designating them. The fibers are included in the peritoneum and a period of two or more decades, that some changes in the mesothelial cells of the peritoneum.
The detailed arrangements in which asbestos fibers cause changes in mesothelial cells is uncertain. One theory is that inflammation of asbestos fibers long and irritation, which eventually lead to mesothelial cells to cause cancer. When the cells are cancerous, they lose the opportunity of creating their own division and regulate growth. mesothelial cancer cells divide and grow without constraint, and uncontrolled cell growth causes thickening of the peritoneum and the development of fluid in the abdominal cavity layers. Overtime, as the cancer cells continue to divide to form tumors.