Peritoneal Mesothelioma Information
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a malignant tumor that targets the abdominal lining. This form of cancer, like mesothelioma of the pleura, results mainly from exposure to asbestos. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the mucosa that protects the inside of the abdomen and also provides a lubricating fluid that facilitates the proper functioning and functioning of the organs.
This disease is also called diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, especially when the cancer has branched out. It accounts for about one-tenth of all mesothelioma patients and is the second most common after pleural mesothelioma.
There are a number of symptoms of this disease. Similar to other mesothelioma diseases, the latency period is long and symptoms remain dormant for decades after initial exposure. By the time the symptoms become visible, it may be too late. In addition, if your doctor is not aware of your previous exposure to asbestos, he can treat you for various ailments.
The most common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are weight loss; nausea; abdominal pain and weakness; lack of appetite; bowel obstruction; and abdominal swelling. Problems such as shortness of breath and extreme pain can also be experienced.
The treatment of this form of mesothelioma depends on a number of factors, such as the extent of the cancer and the patient's overall health, age, and medical history.
Surgery is a conventional option for treating peritoneal mesothelioma. This involves removing parts of the wall of the abdomen to remove the tumor. Surgery also depends largely on the age of the patient and the degree of cancer spread. Sometimes, it becomes imperative to remove a portion of the diaphragm, to facilitate removal of the tumor.
In radiotherapy, high-energy X-rays are deployed to reduce the size of the tumor or kill the malignant cells. Radiation therapy can be approached in two ways. One is the external method, where the radiation is emitted through the body by a machine placed outside. The second method is to emit radiation directly into the malignant area through plastic tubes.
Chemotherapy is probably the most popular and well-known method of fighting cancer. Here, a combination of drugs - through tablets or needles - is used to kill the malignant cells.