Peritoneal Mesothelioma Info

Peritoneal mesothelioma is also referred to as abdominal mesothelioma and it is a form of rear cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen making fluid to build up. But before seeing more about about peritoneal mesothelioma, let us first take a look at the classifications and functions of the peritoneum membrane.

In the United States, only 100 to 500 cases of this illness are reported. Some of the signs that you can look out for to recognize this disease are weight loss, swelling or pain in the abdomen, fever, anemia and bowel obstruction. Some other symptoms may be minor and you may not realize them. The major cause of this diseased is believed to be the exposure to asbestos which can be ingested in the intestines or inhaled.

According to medical experts, in two ways asbestos dust could reach the intestine lining one through involuntary ingestion during working long hours and days amid asbestos, and secondly, through the lungs while breathing and hence along the lymph nodes to the peritoneal cavity.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma - The peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) actually has two layers; the inner (visceral) layer which is beside the abdominal organs and the outer (parietal) layer which is next to the abdominal wall.

One of the functions of the peritoneum is to secrete a lubricating fluid to allow the abdominal organs to move against one another. When peritoneal mesothelioma occurs it leads to both of these layers becoming thicker. This can then lead to a number of undesirable symptoms that are discussed below:

1) ASCITES - As the inner and outer layers of the peritoneum become thicker, lubricating fluid can become trapped in this area. This can then lead to a build up of fluid which is referred to as ascites. Ascites can lead to swelling in the abdomen and also cause abdominal pain as the build up of fluid causes the peritoneum to press against the abdominal organs.

2) POOR BOWEL FUNCTIONING:  As the tumour increases in size or the ascites cause further swelling the intestines can become blocked. This can make it difficult to excrete waste from the body and also lead to further bowel problems.

3) ABDOMINAL PAIN - As peritoneal mesothelioma develops and the tumour increases in size it can start to press against the abdominal organs. This often causes abdominal pain and discomfort. As discussed above ascites (another peritoneal mesothelioma symptom) can also lead to abdominal pain.

Treatments - Treatment for this can differ in many ways and is dependent upon a number of factors.The doctor, once a diagnosis is made, will make a recommendation based upon details such as: the extent of cancer and how advanced it is; the patient's general condition and health; past medical history of the patient; and the patients age. Treatment however include:

1) SURGERY - This entails cutting the out part of the linings and tissues from the abdomen in order to remove the tumour. Whether or not surgery will be required and how much tissue is removed will depend on how far the cancer has spread and how big the tumour is. It may sometimes be necessary to remove aline or part of the diaphragm in order for surgery to succeed in the removal about peritoneal mesothelioma tumour.

2) CHEMOTHERAPY - Here,a combination of drugs is used to try and kill off the cancer cells.Drugs can be administered by mouth in tablet form, or you have the administered intravenously via needle into a vein or a muscle. The drug can then enter the blood stream and travel through through the body, hopefully killing off any cancerous cell along the way.

3) RADIATION THERAPY - This is where high energy x-rays are used to shrink tumours and kill cancerous cells in the affected area.There are two way to administer radiation therapy. The first is through external means, where a machine is placed outside the body and emits radiation through the body. The second is by placing a source of radiation directly to the affected areas by way of of plastic tubes. As well as administering the radiation therapy through the tubes; doctors are also able to administer any required drugs this way.

Even though a wide range of treatments are available for mesothelioma, clinical experiences reveals that none of this alone is capable of checking the disease effectively. Therefore, it is a selected combination of some of these treatments called the "multimodality approach" that is commonly followed and the different modes of treatments to be used are decided by the doctor based on the given medical condition of the patient and his/her age.

Tail Piece Passive exposure to asbestos can also lead to mesothelioma. This happens when asbestos fibers reach the domestic setup through clothes dirties with asbestos dust. Therefore it is advisable that those handling asbestos may change their clothes before returning home or going to any public place.