Peritoneal Mesothelioma
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. It's essential to take charge of your health and see a doctor if you have any symptoms.
Mesothelioma that affects the peritoneum occurs much less frequently than the more common type that affects the pleural lining of lungs (pleural mesothelioma). It is typically caused by asbestos exposure.
Symptoms
Peritoneal Mesothelioma, an aggressive form asbestos cancer, affects the abdominal lining cavity. Asbestos exposure is an acknowledged risk factor for this type of cancer. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, most cases of peritoneal cancer are caused by asbestos exposure.
Asbestos was a time when it was widely employed in manufacturing and construction. When asbestos is broken down, it can result in dust that can be breathed in or ingested. Mesothelioma symptoms typically do not appear until 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Because the early symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of less severe illnesses and patients are often mistakenly diagnosed. The diagnosis of mesothelioma is made at a later date, when it's more difficult to treat.
Lower abdominal pain is the most frequent symptom for peritoneal mesthelioma. The cancer affects the lining your abdomen. The pain can be asymptomatic or widespread throughout your stomach. This discomfort can be associated with fatigue, nausea as well as weight loss and difficulty swallowing. People who has peritoneal mesothelioma might experience constipation and diarrhoea. Women and men can be affected by this condition, but men are more likely to develop it. This is likely because men worked in more jobs in the industrial sector with a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than women did.
Other factors, like radiation and genetic mutations, can increase your chance of developing mesothelioma. Other
Mesothelioma lawsuit-causing factors are still being researched.
Mesothelioma tends to be malignant, however benign mesothelioma is reported in a few instances. It is not associated with asbestos and can affect the lining in your body.
Exposure to asbestos can increase your risk of developing this disease due to the fact that it causes irritation to the cells that surround organs. The cells that are inflamed can turn into cancerous, resulting in mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma types are associated with asbestos, but each has specific risk factors. Pleural mesothelioma has the highest likelihood of being linked to asbestos exposure, while pericardial and peritoneal mesothelioma have less of a connection with this substance.
Diagnosis
Peritoneal mesothelioma can also be an illness that occurs in the lining the abdomen. Asbestos fibers inhaled or swallowed by people pass through the body and then get trapped in the stomach lining. These asbestos fibers can cause inflammation and irritation over time. This causes genetic damage and the cells grow into tumors on the peritoneum or nearby organs.
It is important to see a mesothelioma specialist physician. They have years of experience in treating this rare cancer. They also know how to help patients survive longer after a cancer diagnosis.
The first step to a peritoneal cancer diagnosis is to determine if you have had any exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure is most commonly when a person was employed in construction, shipbuilding electrical work, plumbing or manufacturing, however it can also happen to anyone who was exposed to
asbestos lawyer in the home through exposure, such as contaminated clothing or asbestos in the home.
The latency period of mesothelioma is long, which means that the symptoms may not be apparent. For this reason, it is quite common for patients to be wrongly diagnosed. The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are similar to the signs of other diseases, such as stomach swelling and pain nausea, tiredness, nausea and an unproven loss of weight. As well,
asbestos lawyer sufferers might have trouble remembering when they were exposed to the toxic mineral.
Asbestos victims diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma may claim compensation to cover treatment costs. Many victims have received substantial compensation from asbestos companies that went bankrupt. These funds can help patients and their families receive the medical care they require to live longer following a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma.
A physician will likely recommend a CT to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any other problems out. The scans can reveal whether tumors have spread to other regions of the abdomen or pelvic region. Peritoneal mesothelioma patients can benefit from a mix of treatment options that include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Peritoneal mesothelioma treatment is the most effective when it is carried out as early as possible after a patient's first symptoms.
Treatment
Peritoneal mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers inhaled or consumed reach the lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneum. The fibers then cause irritation to the mesothelial cells and cause mutations that over time can lead to cancerous tumors. Peritoneal mesothelioma is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, but is still a serious and rare cancer. The majority of patients diagnosed with peritoneal cancer are males and the disease is more prevalent for those over 60.
Asbestos is the only known cause of peritoneal Mesothelioma. People may develop this form of mesothelioma after they consume asbestos particles, or inhale them, that are released into the air from workplaces like shipyards, power plants and factories. These particles may also get into the lymphatic system of the body, and travel to the abdomen. Once there, they may settle in the peritoneum, and cause irritation to mesothelial cells which cover the organs in this area including the stomach liver, spleen, and intestines.
People with peritoneal mesothelioma can typically benefit from surgical treatments or chemotherapy, as well as immunotherapy. The severity and type of treatment depends on the type of tumor. Patients and their families need to consult with a mesothelioma professional regarding the best treatment options for their particular situation.
Mesothelioma is a complicated illness, and the symptoms may not appear for decades. This is why mesothelioma experts recommend regular medical examinations to detect possible early signs of the disease. This includes tests for blood, imaging like CT scans and radiographs that reveal the size of tumors. These tests can be used to search for biomarkers that help doctors identify different types of mesothelioma.
Doctors can also determine how long an individual has been exposed to asbestos and if they are at risk of developing a mesothelioma that is pleural or peritoneal. This information can assist patients receive compensation from asbestos producers through mesothelioma lawsuits. Veterans with peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma might also be eligible for disability compensation and health care services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more about these and other resources available to veterans, request a no-cost copy of the mesothelioma resources guide. The guide also includes stories of other mesothelioma sufferers.
Prevention
To prevent peritoneal msothelioma the best option is to avoid asbestos. People who work with asbestos or have a family member who has asbestos exposure should inform their doctor about it, as they may be at the risk of developing mesothelioma. People who have been exposed to asbestos should discuss their symptoms with their doctor. A doctor can assist them find ways to manage their symptoms and to monitor them for any signs of mesothelioma.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is caused by stray fibers of asbestos that are inhaled or swallowed.