A closer look at Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that commonly occurs due to increased exposure to asbestos for a long period of time. There are findings that this cancer develops even without asbestos exposure. This type of cancer affects the peritoneum, which is the lining that protects the internal organs of the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum is made up of mesothilial cells which are the cells affected by cancer. It is a rare form of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the cancer of the mesothelial cells of the covering of the lungs, is the more common form than the peritoneal mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a material used for insulation, which is resistant to heat and fire. It is used in the construction or engineering of buildings, ships, household appliances and motors. It has been reported that there is a higher incidence of mesothelioma in males because this type of caner is work related. Males are commonly hired for the construction or engineering of buildings, ships, motors and household appliances which causes the increased incidence of mesothelioma in males.
THE CULPRITS
There are three types of asbestos namely the blue, white and brown. These are all linked to cancer which caused asbestos to be banned in many countries such as the UK. Asbestos is made up of tiny fibers that can be breathed into the lung. It then works its way to the pleura irritating and damaging the mesothilial cell. Some asbestos might be coughed up as a defense of the body to get rid of the irritating foreign body that has entered the lung. When this happens the asbestos goes to the mouth and is then swallowed. It then works its way to the internal organs of the abdominal cavity irritating and damaging the peritoneum or the mesothilium, which the tissue made up of mesothelial cells that covers the internal organs. Upon exposure to asbestos, the fibers are deposited in the clothing of the worker. The worker exposed to asbestos spreads it to his family when he gets home through his clothing. This puts the family at high risk to developing mesothelioma since they are also exposed through asbestos.
There are also less common causes of mesothelioma. It has been found out that exposure to radiation can also cause pleural and peritonieal mesothelioma. Thoratast or thorioum dioxide was used in x-ray tests in the 1950s. Exposure to a mineral in turkey, which is called the Zeolite can also cause the cancer mesothelioma. The virus SV40 also known as the simian virus increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. It acts as a co-factor when the person is exposed to another risk factor, amplifying the possibility of developing mesothelioma.
GETTING CHECKED
It is not easy to diagnose mesothelioma. There is no specific screening for mesothelioma. People who are high risk to develop mesothelioma should be checked periodically in order to spot mesothelioma at the earliest stage possible so prompt treatment may be done. There are some signs and symptoms the doctors watch out to get further tests to confirm mesothelioma. Pain, swelling tenderness to any area and a possible lump are the common complaints that are considered.
Blood test is then done to evaluate the person's general health. If doctor suspects that the person may have peritoneal mesothelioma, the person may have abdominal x-ray, abdominal CT scan or abdominal MRI scan to check and confirm for swelling and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Abdoparacentsis or fluid drainage from the abdomen may be done to relieve the swelling and pain around the abdomen and to see if there are malignant or cancerous cells in the fluid. Laparoscopy or biopsy of the abdominal lining or peritoneum may be done, wherein they get a tissue sample of the abdominal lining and check if the mesothelial cells are damaged by cancer.
If these tests confirm that one has peritoneal mesothelioma, it is then evaluated if it has spread to other parts of the body. This is called staging or determining the gravity of the cancer itself. This process is very important to determine what action or treatment will be done. A PET scan may be done to see how the cells are working. PET stands for positron emission tomography. This is done if the peritoneal mesothelioma cancer is treatable through surgery. This shows the extent of spread of the cancer cells to the other parts of the body like the lymph nodes and other organs.

Alternative medicine options for the treatment of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Traditional mesothelioma treatments can be very expensive and can be taxing on the patient's body. Further, many patients are not considered candidates for some of the more extreme procedures. Many patients faced with these obstacles seek alternative medicine to help them in their battle with mesothelioma. Alternative medicine can take many forms which are:
(1)ACUPUNCTURE:-
The ancient art of Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years in the east. This therapy has recently been recognized in the United States as being very effective at alleviating the pains suffered by cancer victims. Many oncologists from around the country are recommending this treatment in conjunction with other more traditional treatments to make for pain alleviation.
(2)MEDICATION:-
Meditation has been very much recommended as an effective alternative treatment plan that allows the cancer patient to reduce both stress and pain. Some doctors also suggest that meditation can also aid the bodies immune function.
(3)

Hypnosis is another accepted way for a cancer patient to reduce his or her pain. Hypnosis should always be performed by a licensed and experienced professionals usually referred to as an hypnotist.
It should however be noted that in some cases ,orthodox medical therapy can be combined with alternative medical options for the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma;as the ultimate aim is the effective management and/or the treatment mesothelioma .Majority of patients would normally go for the alternative therapies as the are less painful,effective and also cheaper as compared to the exorbitant bills charged for the orthodox medical treatments sucn as chemotherapy

What is mesothelioma peritoneal

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the name given to the cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen.This type of cancer is caused by ABESTOS exposure and it affects the linings that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubrication to enable the organs to move and work effectively. This disease is sometimes referred to as DIFFUSE PERITONEAL MESOTHELIOMA and this is where the cancer has spread out.Accountable for around 10% of mesothelioma cases, this type of abestos related cancer is the second most common(after PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA).
There are a number of symptoms for these disease. However like all other types of MESOTHELIOMA, there is a very long latency period and symptom may not become evident for decades after exposure. This means that by the time the symptoms have begun,it is often already too late to offer any real constructive treatment. Further delay may be caused due to the fact that the symptoms are generally non specific and could therefore be attributed to a number of more common ailments.Unless your doctor is aware of the fact that you have been exposed to abestos in the past,he or she is likely to consider other options before even contemplating mesothelioma.It is therefore important to let your doctor know of any exposure to abestos as the case may be.
The symptoms of this disease include pain and weakness,weight loss, nausea, loss of appetite abdominal swelling, bowel obstruction. However depending on the location of the tumor, additional problems can be experienced such as breathing problems and severe pains.

What is mesothelioma peritoneal

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the name given to the cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen.This type of cancer is caused by ABESTOS exposure and it affects the linings that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubrication to enable the organs to move and work effectively. This disease is sometimes referred to as DIFFUSE PERITONEAL MESOTHELIOMA and this is where the cancer has spread out.Accountable for around 10% of mesothelioma cases, this type of abestos related cancer is the second most common(after PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA).
There are a number of symptoms for these disease. However like all other types of MESOTHELIOMA, there is a very long latency period and symptom may not become evident for decades after exposure. This means that by the time the symptoms have begun,it is often already too late to offer any real constructive treatment. Further delay may be caused due to the fact that the symptoms are generally non specific and could therefore be attributed to a number of more common ailments.Unless your doctor is aware of the fact that you have been exposed to abestos in the past,he or she is likely to consider other options before even contemplating mesothelioma.It is therefore important to let your doctor know of any exposure to abestos as the case may be.
The symptoms of this disease include pain and weakness,weight loss, nausea, loss of appetite abdominal swelling, bowel obstruction. However depending on the location of the tumor, additional problems can be experienced such as breathing problems and severe pains.







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Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer - symptoms & treatment options

Peritoneal mesothelioma, also known as asbestos lung cancer, is a relatively uncommon form of mesothelioma cancer, accounting for less than a quarter of all mesothelioma cases. It is called peritoneal because it appears as a tumor in the peritoneum membrane of the abdomen.
Causes

Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of this disease in the USA. Patients afflicted with Peritoneal Mesothelioma have inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers usually through work related activities. Symptoms do not occur until 20 to 40 years after contact with the mineral and its by products. Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is often fatal and patients who are afflicted by it live on average of less than a year from the time of their diagnosis.
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Symptoms may include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, a change in your bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation, lumps of tissue in the abdomen and unexplained weight loss.
Diagnostic Tools

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is first detected by X-rays or CT scans, peritoneoscopy (analysis of the peritoneum) or a biopsy where a tissue sample in taken for examination by a pathologist.
Treatment Options

Localized treatments treat only the original cancer site by either surgery or radiotherapy. A peritonectomy is a surgery used when peritoneal mesothelioma is detected early on. However, the symptoms are usually detected only in the most advanced stages because of the gradual development of symptoms. Complete removal of the caner through surgery is doubtful even in the earliest stages of the disease. The first 30 days following surgery are crucial. Unfortunately, the post surgery death rate for this operation is very high. Many patients do not make it through the procedure. With this in mind, many medical centers do not choose surgery as a viable treatment option plan at this time.
Regional chemotherapy is used in peritoneal mesothelioma cases, when the cancer is still localized at its point of origin. This option treatment is employed in both early and late stages of the disease using anti-cancer drugs. The drugs are injected directly into the abdomen. Patients undergo weekly or biweekly treatments depending upon the specific drugs used.
An additional procedure known as adjuvant chemotherapy, (regional chemotherapy) can be used directly following surgery in order to reduce the likelihood of the cancer returning. However, when the cancer cannot be entirely removed through surgery, chemotherapy will continue throughout the existence of the cancer in an attempt to slow its development.
A second type of treatment known as systemic treatments are used when the cancer has metastasized (spread throughout the body). Systematic treatments are implemented in either earlier stages or late stages of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Since peritoneal mesothelioma often remains dormant for years, the cancer is usually detected in its end stages. At this point patients are too ill to handle intensive chemotherapy. Doctors choose non-aggressive palliative care mesothelioma treatments at this time. Treatment goals are concentrated on remedying pain, discomfort and weight loss rather than attacking the disease head on. One type of pain common in the late states of this disease is caused by fluid buildup inside the abdomen. Doctors will attempt to reduce the pain and discomfort by draining the excess fluid through a procedure called abdominal paracentesis.

Peritoneal mesothelioma information

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a malignancy that targets the lining of the abdomen. This form of cancer, like pleural mesothelioma, is mostly a result of exposure to asbestos. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining that guards the abdomen's insides, and which also gives a lubricating fluid that facilitates the smooth movement and functioning of the organs.
This disease is also called diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, particularly when the cancer has branched out. It accounts for about a tenth of all mesothelioma patients, and is the second most common after pleural mesothelioma.
There are a number of symptoms of mesothelioma. 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 conspicuous, it may be too late. Furthermore, if your doctor is not aware of your previous exposure to asbestos, then he may treat you for different ailments.
The most common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are weight loss; nausea; abdominal pains and weakness; lack of appetite; bowel obstruction; and abdominal swelling. Problems such as shortness of breath and extreme pain can also be experienced.
Treatment for this form of mesothelioma is dependant on a number of factors, such as the extent of the cancer and the patient's general health, age and past medical history.
Surgery is one conventional option of treating peritoneal mesothelioma. This involves taking out portions of the abdomen's lining in order to remove the tumor. Surgery also depends largely on the age of the patient and the extent to which the cancer has spread. Sometimes, it becomes imperative to take out a part of the diaphragm, so as to facilitate the easy removal of the tumor.
In radiation therapy, high-energy x-rays are deployed to shrink the size of the tumor or kill off malignant cells. Radiation therapy can be approached in two ways. One is the external method, where radiation is emitted through the body from a machine placed outside. The second method is by emitting radiation directly to the malignant area through plastic tubes.
Chemotherapy is doubtless the most common and well-known method of combating cancer. Here, a combination of drugs - through tablets or needles -- is used to kill malignant cells.

Peritoneal mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is one of the deadliest and most painful forms of cancer. Fortunately it is also one of the rarer forms of a relatively uncommon cancer, though that is small comfort to the thousands of people that must endure it every day. This terminal condition begins when a person ingests the microscopic jagged asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring, fibrous mineral that has been used in fireproofing and insulation for millennia, and even since these ancient times those that worked with asbestos tended to die even earlier than other people did.
During the manufacturing process asbestos fibers are often released into the air, where their light weight and small size allows them to settle in the mouths and throats of anyone nearby, and they can even be carried home where they can contaminate the friends and family of the original worker.
Peritoneal mesothelioma begins when asbestos fibers enter the digestive track and slice through the tissues of the stomach and intestines. These fibers shred through these organs and protrude through them and puncture the peritoneal mesothelium, the delicate membrane that secretes the lubrication that allows them to move during digestion. Without this vital lubrication the organs could not process food properly. Some of the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:
o Abdominal pain
o Abdominal mass
o Weight loss
o Abnormal bowel function
o Fluid buildup in the abdomen
o Expanding waistline but losing weight
o Blood clots
Unfortunately, peritoneal mesothelioma does not usually present symptoms until it is extremely advanced, and by that time it is usually impossible to treat. Further complicating diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is the nature of the disease itself; the symptoms are often confused with less dangerous conditions such as indigestion or heartburn.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is always fatal. By the time it is diagnosed it is usually so advanced that the only treatment available is to make the victim as comfortable as possible and relieve as much pain as they can. Most victims usually succumb within six to eight months after diagnosis; a few cases manage to survive longer than a year, but few if any survive longer than five years.
There is hope for victims of peritoneal mesothelioma. New treatments include photodynamic, gene, angiogenesis, and immunotherapy that could hold the key to turning the tide on this deadly, debilitating, and tragic disease.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer

The cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity is called peritoneal mesothelioma. It is not as common as pleural form; it comprises an estimated one fifth to one third of all diagnosed mesothelioma cases. This report of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) approximates the number as 54.7% male and 45.3% female, with the age ranging from 65 to 69. The period of latency is shorter for patients exposed in asbestos, the symptoms appearing after 20 to 30 years from exposure; the usual latency period for pleural mesothelioma is 30 to 40 years.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

At the time of presentation, symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma includes abdominal mass, abdominal pain, enlarged abdominal girth, fluid in the abdomen (ascites), distention of the abdomen, weight loss, fever, anemia, fatigue and digestive disturbances. For a few months before a confirmed diagnosis, some patients even complain of symptoms that are non-specific. Incidentally, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in a percentage of cases once the patient has other health complaints such as hernia, gallbladder or pelvic mass.

Doctors who have experiences in this field have noted that typically, patients have these symptoms six months to two years prior to the diagnosis. Men often come to the doctor complaining of a bulge in the groin (hernia) or around the belly button (umbilical hernia). For women, the first sign of a problem often occurs after a pelvic test when a tumor mass have been discovered.

In later stages of peritoneal mesothelioma, among the symptoms are increased occurrences of blood clots and obstruction of the bowel. There is a noticeable increase on the platelet count for 50% of peritoneal patients but this may be caused by various disorders, so this is actually of little help in the diagnosis. Low albumin level and anemia can also be among the symptoms.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Peritoneal mesothelioma has two clinical types which can be differentiated with the help of CT findings, the "dry" type and the "wet". It is classified as "dry" when there are multiple tiny masses or one dominant localized mass and generally little or no ascites. The "wet" type has widespread small nodules, no dominant mass and a presence of ascites.

If fluid is found, the process of eliminating it is through paracentesis; however the analysis of this fluid has limited diagnostic significance. Normally, a definitive diagnosis may be obtained through tissue biopsy.

Staging

As there is currently no staging system for peritoneal mesothelioma, the most popular system for general cancer staging (TNM system) is used. TNM system has the following criteria: (T) status of the tumor, (N) lymph nodes and (M) metastases. Other general categories may also be helpful in order to determine the stage.

Category 1 - with a localized lesion that can entirely be removed (resected)

Category 2 - the disease is located inside the abdominal cavity on peritoneal or organ surfaces where there is a probability of removing as much tumor as possible (debulking)

Category 3 - the disease is located inside the abdominal cavity and invades organs such as liver or colon.

Category 4 - the disease extends outside of the abdominal cavity

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment

In the past years, the effectiveness of surgery alone or intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma were not proven, that is why multimodality treatment is becoming more popular. Debulking (cytoreductive) surgery is removing all or nearly all visible tumors and may be combined with IPHC (Intra-Peritoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy), intraperitoneal chemotherapy and radiation.

Removing all tumors is not always probable; the prognosis for survival can then be in accordance with the completeness of cytoreduction which is established by these criteria:

Complete cytoreduction

(CC-0): No peritoneal seeding is found within the operative areas

(CC-1): Nodules less than 2.5 cm carries on after cytoreduction which can be penetrated by intra-cavity chemotherapy; thus the process is termed complete.

Incomplete cytoreduction

(CC-2) Nodules with sizes of 2.5 to 5 cm carry on after cytoreduction

(CC-3) Nodules that are larger than 5 cm are found; or there is a merging of tumor nodules that are unresectable at any area within the pelvis or abdomen.

Some patients may have widespread disease where surgery is not considered as "potentially curative", palliative treatment may be done by debulking. Take note that specialized treatments should only be administered by seasoned doctors because peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare malignant disease.

Recently, a clinical trial discovered Alimta (pemetrexed) to be effective as chemotherapy agent on treating peritoneal mesothelioma, either on its own or combined with cisplatin or any platinum-based drug. This reflects the previous findings regarding pemetrexed medication of pleural mesothelioma.

For more information on Peritoneal Mesothelioma or any other type of Mesothelioma Cancer a good information site is Mesothelioma Symptoms, where all releavant topics are discussed. Some example topics include Mesothelioma treatment, Mesothelioma Compensation, Mesothelioma statistics, coping with Mesothelioma and causes of Mesothelioma. A forum is also availble to discuss any topics with our experts.

Peritoneal mesothelioma survival rates

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a cancer of the abdomen lining caused due to prolonged exposure to asbestos. Thousands of lawsuits are handled every year dealing with the issue of peritoneal mesothelioma and its effects. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Fluid commonly accumulates in the abdominal cavity causing the swelling and pain. The symptoms of mesothelioma can become quite serous over time, as the swelling will exert great force on surrounding organs and lead to great pain.
If diagnosed at an early stage, than there are chances of survival, depending upon on how advanced the cancer is at the time of the diagnosis. Treatment with radiation or chemotherapy and early diagnosis can be of great help. In fact, these treatments can help a patient to survive for a long time. It is often true that if the cancer is found early and treated aggressively, almost half of the patients whose cancer is found early reach the two-year mark and about 20% survive five years. For peritoneal mesothelioma, patients are often informed that they won't be able to live for more than one year. But peritoneal mesothelioma specialists, working in leading cancer centers throughout the world, often report better statistics than this, based upon the clinical trials that they are carrying out.

Peritoneal mesothelioma - what you need to know

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum is a membranous layer comprising the parietal and visceral layers protecting the abdominal cavity and abdominal organs. There are four categories that will determine the stage of the mesothelioma. Category one shows a solitary tumor which can be removed. The second indicates that the cancer is already within the abdominal cavity. The third category evinces the invasion of other organs like colon and liver. The final one shows complete penetration of cancer to the outside abdominal cavity.

In diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma, there will be the usual physical examination and imaging tests like x-rays and CT scan. Likewise, there is a need to extract fluid or tissue from the peritoneum to check if it is indeed malignant. The findings will reveal whether the mesothelioma is dry or wet. If the result of the examination yields to a dry-type cancer, it means that there are multiple small masses or only one dominant localized mass. There will be small amount of ascites or none at all. Ascites refers to the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. But if the cancer is wet-type, there will be small nodules and the ascites is apparent. In the latter case, the fluid will be removed through paracentesis.

There are two supporting theories behind the role of asbestos to the development of peritoneal mesothelioma. The first theory provides that when the asbestos fibers are absorbed by the body, they pass through the digestive organs all the way to the peritoneal membrane. The second theory explains that when asbestos fibers draw deep into the lungs, they work their way to the peritoneal membrane through the lymphatic system. But irrespective of the manner the asbestos gains access to the peritoneal layers, the fibers are stuck in the membrane and gradually cause damage to the mesothelial cells of the peritoneum.

There is no known cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. But specialists have introduced intraperitoneal chemotherapy, an innovative treatment which gives better result than the normal mesothelioma surgery. This is done usually after debulking surgery which involves the removal of all the tumors in the area. Still, the prognosis may not be good. However, for possible long term survival, the patients must have a complete cytoreduction.? It means that there should be no peritoneal seeding and the nodules must be less than 2.5 centimeters. Otherwise, clinical trials for palliative treatment to lessen the pain will be the alternative.

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Peritoneal Mesotheolima

The peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare type of mesothelioma that accounts for only 10 to 20 % of all the mesothelioma cases diagnosed, around 3000 cases each year are diagnosed in the United States alone. This cancer develops in the mesothelium cell layer that is a membranous layer in the peritoneum. Peritoneal mesothelioma also is caused by the exposure to asbestos like the all mesothelioma types. Being less common than the pleural type of mesothelioma, peritoneal mesotheliomas have a latency period of 20-30 years after asbestos exposure as compared to the period of 30 to 40 years in the cases of pleural mesothelioma. With a survival time ranging between 7 to 13.5 months it is present with a poor prognosis.

The associated symptoms include the abdominal swelling or pain with the changes in bowel habits for instance diarrhea or constipation. Others include lump formations under the abdominal skin and weight loss of unexplained origin. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, night sweats or fever are also common. In many cases there might be related cases of anemia.

As may be the case with many patients who present late with generalized symptoms of cachexia and bowel obstruction resulting in severe abdominal pain and malignant ascites that result in abdominal distention due to the progressive growth of the tumor on the peritoneum. The diagnosis of mesothelioma cannot be made generally with the symptoms alone especially in case of peritoneal mesothelioma. The diagnosis in such cases begins with a thorough examination of medical history, physical history that is followed by imaging along with the tests for fluid and tissues of the mesothelioma patients.

Any bodily abnormality is detected by the use of more sophisticated and reliable techniques such as CT scans and X-rays. To confirm the cancer presence the use of tissue biopsy is well accounted in mesothelioma diagnosis. It is a minor surgical procedure that involves the removal of fluid or tissue from the peritoneum.

To check the presence of mesothelioma cells after biopsy, the fluid and tissues are tested in the laboratory. When it is ascertained that the patient is indeed suffering from the peritoneal mesothelioma the doctor and the mesothelioma patient together forms a treatment plan. In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma the progression of the disease is much faster so the diagnosis is in most of the cases made in the later stages of the disease. Here the treatment becomes difficult as the cancer is in the later developmental stages. The doctors typically recommend the mesothelioma patients to get a treatment to combat the cancer and for pain relief.

Common treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma patients may generally include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy as with all types of mesothelioma treatments. The mesothelioma patients may undergo a combination of treatments for peritoneal mesothelioma as there is no known cure for the disease. Participation in clinical trials to alleviate the pain and improvement of quality of life is another approach that mesothelioma patients may opt. These are for patients to test the newer and upcoming drugs for the disease

Many mesothelioma patients try the hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). In this case higher concentrations of the chemotherapy solution are injected directly into the peritoneal cavity immediately after surgery so it is more effective in killing cancer cells in the abdomen than chemotherapy that is given through a venous route. Many a times before surgery, mesothelioma patients may go through radiation therapy to shrink the tumors. Most mesothelioma patients need to have cytoreduction surgery (CRS) that removes as much of the cancerous tissue in the abdomen as possible, thus reducing the "bulk" of the cancer which is also called "debulking" surgery.

Many peritoneal mesothelioma patients may elect to participate in palliative treatment that do not attempt to cure a patient it rather work to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for them.

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Peritoneal Mesotheliom--cancer of abdominal lining

One of the fatal types of mesothelioma is Peritoneal Mesothelioma in which the cancerous cells attack the lining of the abdomen called Peritoneum. Peritoneum is the thin membrane, which shields various organs of the abdomen and also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly. Peritoneal Mesothelioma, which affects this lining, is yet now a relatively rare disease that accounts for about 1/5 of all mesotheliomas. Its only known cause in the U.S. till date is previous exposure to asbestos.

Major symptoms

Though Mesothelioma is neither age nor sex specific, peritoneal Mesothelioma is mostly seen in men who are in the age group of 50-70 years. There are a number of symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma most of which start appearing after 20, 30 or 50 years after the exposure to asbestos. These symptoms may include weight loss (however, waist line may increase), pain or swelling in the abdomen, weakness, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, anemia, nausea and fever. Also, fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space leading to a condition called Ascites.

Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma

The initial step towards detection of peritoneal mesothelioma includes X-rays and CT scans. For confirmed diagnosis, however the doctor needs to do biopsy whereby a piece of tissue is cut from the affected part of the victim's body and is placed under microscope for examination. If the disease is detected at an early stage it stands better chance of getting cured than the state of diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, where the cancer has already spread to various parts.

The cure

It's true that peritoneal mesothelioma is fatal and leads to several deaths every year. However, with continued researches, several modes of treatments have been embarked upon and in the future there is a fair chance of the disease becoming absolutely curable. The types of treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

In surgery a part of the abdominal tissue is cut out to remove the tumor. At times the doctor may also need to remove a lung or a portion of the diaphragm as per the requirement of the surgery. Radiation therapy, the second method, requires the application of high energy X-rays to shrink the tumor and kill the malignant cells. The rays may be applied from an external machine or by placing the radiation source directly to the affected part of the body, by means of plastic tubes. Last treatment type is the chemotherapy whereby a combination of drugs is applied to kill the cancer cells. The drugs may be administered by mouth in the capsule form or may be applied intravenously via needle.

However, it is essential to mention that cost of treating any form of cancer is extravagant and you may consult a mesothelioma lawyer to earn you a handsome compensation from the authority who was responsible for your prior exposure to asbestos.

So learn more about peritoneal mesothelioma so that you can initiate the treatment at the very early stage and get cured.

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Peritoneal mesothelioma foundations

Mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Approximately 20 percent of cancers caused by asbestos are peritoneal mesothelioma. This form of the cancer manifests itself in the mesothelial cells of the abdomen when the asbestos fibers become embedded in the space between the cells. It can take as many as 20 to 50 years for the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma to appear. Over these years, the asbestos fibers irritate the parietal layer that covers the stomach cavity and they begin to produce cancer cells. Fluid builds up and tumors eventually form.

What are the Symptoms?

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are swelling and pain in the abdomen, diarrhea or constipation, unexplained weight loss, nausea and vomiting, and the appearance of lumps under the skin in the abdominal area.

How is It Treated?

Since this type of cancer is usually diagnosed very late in its development, a positive mesothelioma prognosis is not likely, and treatment options are limited. Chemotherapy and radiation are typically used to threat the cancer, along with medication to provide pain relief. For many patients, surgery is not an option because at the point of discovery, this form of asbestos cancer has already spread too far and the patient's poor health may make him or her too weak to recover from the trauma of surgery.

How Does Exposure to Asbestos Cause Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

It is believed that there are two ways that asbestos can get into your system.

1. They can be ingested and then and consequently move through the digestive system into the peritoneal lining.

2. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and travel to the peritoneal lining through the fluids in the lymphatic system.

Once these fibers get into the system, they become trapped and the body has no way to drive them out.

How Does Someone Get Exposed to Asbestos?

There is no test or conclusive way to find out if you have been exposed to asbestos. The only thing you can do is to review your life's history and current living conditions to know if you've ever been at risk for exposure to asbestos. Here are a few of the risk factors.


Living in an area where asbestos occurs naturally is one factor. Small particles of asbestos can get airborne, making it easy for you to inhale them. You can contact the health department where you live to find out if asbestos is in the local environment. 
There used to be many industries that used asbestos regularly. If you ever worked in such a facility, you could have been exposed to it. It is also possible that you may have carried the asbestos fibers home to your family. 
Before 1978, a lot of electrical wiring was insulated with asbestos. Asbestos was also woven into clothes and gloves that were worn by those regularly exposed to heat and fire. 
Buildings and homes built before 1978 were frequently constructed using material with asbestos in them. Since asbestos is a good insulator, it was often used in floor and ceiling tiles, along with shingles and roofing paper. If any of these things were ever damaged, asbestos fibers could have become airborne.

Should you or a loved one be concerned about your potential to have peritoneal mesothelioma it is recommended you seek medical advice quickly.

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Peritoneal cancer

There are a variety of diseases in the world today. People are suffering from uncountable diseases and getting no cures for most of the cancer. Peritoneal cancer is one form of these cancer. It is a very rare cancer which takes place in peritoneum. This is a thin sheet which lines up the walls of the abdomen. The women who suffer from ovary cancer, and get this it diagnosed with proper medications, are the ones who are attacked by peritoneal cancer after the ovary cancer. This disease is mostly found in women.

Symptoms for this cancer are very unclear at the earlier stages of peritoneal cancer. They are very difficult to figure out the symptoms for this disease. It does not show any signs in its earlier stages and when it start to develop, and reaches it upper level, then we can figure out about this dangerous disease. This is big disadvantage, that in this modern science world, it is difficult to find the symptoms of a disease. The symptoms of this disease are very much similar to the symptoms of the disease known as ovarian cancer.

Below are some of the symptoms listed for peritoneal cancer:

1: too much blood flow from vagina

2: feeling as you are stuffed, although you had a very light meal

3: continuous vomiting

4: loss of appetite

5: nausea

6: continuous and abnormal weight gain

Peritoneal cancer can be diagnosed in multiple ways. It is firstly diagnosed through X Rays or the alternative CT scans. One more method for diagnosing this disease is peritoneoscopy. This is the analysis of peritoneum, which lets you know about the disease and that you are or not a victim of this disease.

These are the major symptoms of peritoneal cancer and they can only be seen when this disease develops at the higher stage. Slowly in your body when this disease matures, the symptoms would be even clearer than before and they would be even more severe.

The treatments for peritoneal cancer are available. There are many treatments for this dangerous disease, although the success rate of these treatments are very low but still, as we say something is better than nothing. The treatments available for this disease include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. These are the mostly used treatments for this disease and patients to get cured with these treatments but the ratio of surviving patients is low.

As described in A Brief to Cancer, we can suppress the cancer cells by avoid to smoking and reducing our stress and in addition, we should do some exercises regularly and do a healthy diet to prevent another kind of cancer: Lung, Liver, Breast cancer as found in http://medicalcatalog.info.

George Collins: Sharing knowledge and opinion about interesting trends.

Peritoneal mesothelioma treatment and information - A different type

Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the abdominal lining and is a rare form of malignant cancers affecting lesser number of people than pleural mesothelioma. The peritoneum is made up of two parts such as visceral peritoneum that covers the internal organs and parietal peritoneum that covers the abdominal cavity. The cells in these two layers secrete fluid that helps in the movement of organs inside the abdomen. However, if the cells become malignant it overproduces causing excess fluid in the abdomen. It is widely believed that, risk factor associated with peritoneal mesothelioma is asbestos. Asbestos particles make their entry into the body either through ingestion or inhalation and reaches peritoneum through the lymphatic system causing malignancy of the cellular lining of abdomen.
The early signs of Peritoneal Mesothelioma include:
* Increased weight loss due to low intake of food
* Night sweats often accompanied with fever
* Increased abdominal girth coupled with bouts of abdominal pain and indigestion
* Extreme fatigue, fever and anemic condition
Tests and Diagnoses:
Based on symptoms doctors cannot ascertain presence of peritoneal mesothelioma but goes for medical investigations ranging from x-rays to CT scans to MRI. These imaging tests and studies help in the detection of the disease and also aids in knowing the stage and metastases of the cancer.
But, it is the biopsy that ultimately confirms the disease- either a fluid aspiration biopsy or a tissue biopsy. If the cancer is detected early it helps to cure it faster because as the cancer advances to diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma the cancer cells invade other body parts as well.
Treatment Methods:
The disease is very difficult to diagnose at early stages. One of the approaches is intra-peritoneal chemotherapy. In this method of treatment, following surgery, drugs are induced directly into the abdomen. In some cases, radiation therapy is done to shrink the tumors before surgery is done.
But, it is the cytoreductive surgery called debulking that is done. Although surgery is considered to be the first line of treatment yet it is not done for all patients. If the patients' physical health is failing, a surgical operation is enervating. In these cases, it is the palliative approach that works best. This therapy, simply works to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for the patients with chemotherapeutic drugs.
High-energy radiation is also used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma, but is not used alone. Radiation therapy is mostly followed by surgery and use of palliative
Chemotherapy drugs.
Latest Advancements:
There are ongoing clinical trials and experiments such as immunotherapy, gene therapy and usage of antiangiogenesis drugs for treating the cancer. Multi-modality approach often proved to be useful in certain cases and intracavitary chemotherapy and radiation therapy are subjects of further research and tests.

Primary peritoneal cancer - why every woman needs to know about this disease or else

Primary Peritoneal Cancer is a rare form of cancer (also known as peritoneal adenocarcinoma) that originates in the peritoneum, a thin sheet of fine lines inside the abdomen and covers the uterus and extends over the bladder and rectum. The peritoneum is comprised of epithelial cells. By producing a lubricating fluid, peritoneum, this helps organs move smoothly in the pelvic cavity. Primary peritoneal cancer looks and behaves like ovarian cancer but the ovaries are minimally involved. Women who develop symptoms of ovarian cancer unfortunately will probably end up with primary peritoneal cancer.

Ovarian cancer is a disease in which malignant cells are found in the ovary. There are three types of ovarian tumors: epithelial cells, germ cells and the stromal cells. The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown but there are certain risk factors that indicate an increased likelihood of a woman in developing ovarian cancer metastasis. A risk factor is anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. The following have been suggested as risk factors for ovarian cancer:

Early menstruation - starting periods at an early age usually before age 12
Late menopause (after 52 years of age)
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Infertility (inability to get pregnant)
Having a first child after age 30
Personal history of breast cancer or colon cancer
Family history of ovarian cancer
Some fertility drugs
Exposure to asbestos developing into mesothelioma tumor which affects the abdominal cavity.

The diagnosis of primary peritoneal cancer consists of the following different exams:

Pelvic Exam
Ultrasound
Determination of CA-125 (a blood test to measure the level of CA-125. CA-125 is a protein also known as a Tumor marker that is often found in greater concentrations in the blood of women suffering from ovarian cancer or cancer peritoneal)
Computed Tomography (CT)
Lower GI or barium enema (a series of X-rays of the colon and rectum. The photographs were taken after the patient receives an enema with a white, chalky solution containing barium, the colon and rectum on x-ray, making tumors or other abnormal areas easier to see and detect)
Biopsy

The treatment for Primary Peritoneal Cancer depends on several factors, including: the stage of the cancer, the extent of it and the patients overall health. The treatment is a combination of the following methods; surgery, intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, supportive care (which is directed to the symptoms, including pain relief, weight loss and fluid in the abdomen, which can be removed during a procedure called abdominal paracentesis)

Finally we have the preventive measures suggested by physicians that include: a healthy diet (high in fruits, vegetables, grains and low in saturated fats), birth control pills, pregnancy and lactation and eventually if the person is presenting some symptoms of ovarian cancer the removal of the ovaries. Also studies have shown that certain genes are responsible for increasing the risk of ovarian and breast cancer. A routine inspection for gynaecological cancers can prevent or diagnose at an early stage the presence of tumors. Your doctor will eventually decide what treatments to carry out to help fight primary peritoneal cancer.

If you can detect the symptoms of ovarian cancer at an early stage the survival rate is much improved. Unfortunately 75% of cases are detected at an advanced stage. Make sure you are not one of those statistics. Visit our site today for more information.

Peritoneal mesothelioma treatment

Peritoneal mesothelioma treatment depends upon a number of factors, such as the size and stage of cancer cells, the patient's general condition and health, past medical history of the patient and the patient's age. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the cancer of the membrane in the abdomen. As with all cancer diseases, premature detection and treatment provides the best possible result.
Peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are classified into localized treatments and systemic treatments. Systemic treatments are whole body treatments like chemotherapy. Localized treatments include surgery and radiotherapy.
Surgical treatment is often not practical in the case of peritoneal mesothelioma. If the growth of cancer cell is found very early, it may be possible to remove tumor by operation. The peritoneal mesothelioma surgery is known as a peritonectomy. The surgery involves cutting out the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen where the mesothelioma has started growing. Sometimes it is needed to remove a lung or part of the diaphragm, for the surgery to succeed in removing the afflicted cell.
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy uses high energy rays (like x-rays) to kill cancer cells in the affected area. There are several ways to administer radiotherapy and each one breaks down the cancer cells so that they may be eliminated from the body. The general method includes a machine kept outside the body, which produces radiation. Another method is by placing a radiation-emitting device directly to the affected cell by way of plastic tubes. In addition to controlling radiation, doctors use these tubes to inject the required drugs.
Chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma controls symptoms and tries to slow the cancer down. This therapy is used to kill mesothelioma cells by injecting anti-cancer drugs that are usually injected into a vein. Medicines can be administered in tablet form. Depending on the type of medicine used, the treatment can be applied weekly or every two to three weeks.
Peritoneal mesothelioma does not always respond to traditional mesothelioma treatment ways. Physicians and researchers are constantly working to improve upon the existing peritoneal mesothelioma treatment.







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Peritoneal mesothelioma life expectancy

Although peritoneal mesothelioma case is rarer than pleural mesothelioma, it is often more aggressive and gives lower life expectancy compared to the pleural form. Peritoneal mesothelioma may develop as an extension of pleural mesothelioma through the lymphatic system or stand alone as the primary site of the cancer.

Most people suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma failed to recognize the symptoms as they resemble flu symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain or fever. A change in bowel movement may occur once the cancerous tumor grows bigger downward, on the other hand if the tumor develops upward it can disturb the respiratory system. Pain in abdominal region can happen when the mass of tumor pressurizes the nerve fibers. Weight loss and swelling abdomen are other indications of this abdominal cancer, however when patients seek their doctors' opinions at this stage it could be too late as normally the cancer has spread and grown bigger in the peritoneal cavity or abdominal cavity.

Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is very difficult and there is no defined system so far that can differentiate the stages of the cancerous tumor development. When needed, TNM staging system is normally used to detect the cancer in stages.

Treatments for peritoneal mesothelioma are similar to what is used for pleural mesothelioma which may include chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. Although these treatments can't cure the cancer, they does provide a better prognosis compared to the pleural mesothelioma. The peritoneal mesothelioma life expectancy for untreated cases is 6 months to 1 year but with aggressive treatments patients can expect to live for another 2 - 5 years.

Despite of poor life expectancy, some patients with mesothelioma successfully beat the disease and live much longer than expected. Instead of weeping and waiting for the death coming they searched for alternative solutions and radically changed their lifestyles. That's how they managed to be the survivors of mesothelioma. Rhio O'Connor and Paul Kraus for example were given a few months only to live but they rejected the idea of giving up and were determined to survive instead. No matter how small your chance is, you should never
give up.

To learn more information about peritoneal mesothelioma and other mesothelioma types and what cures are available please visit our website today.

Peritoneal mesothelioma overview

The peritonium is a membrane that lines the abdominal area of our body. When mesothelioma affects the peritonium, it is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Even within the area of mesothelioma, peritoneal cases are considered unusual with only about thirty percent of all cases being peritoneal mesothelioma. Even so, it is the second most common case of this rare type of cancer. It is thought that patients suffering from this variety of mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos at some point in the past..

How long an exposure to asbestos to get mesothelioma is not known. Symptoms of this cancer mostly deal with the abdominal area such as lumps, swelling and pain. Almost all patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma will lose their lives to it in the end.

A cure has not been found and efforts are mostly made in the region of lengthening life expectancy. It is thought that asbestos fibers are transported to the peritonium where they begin to affect the cells of the peritonium membrane. With the fibers lodged, the membrane itself begins to thicken.

Fluid begins to build up in the abdomen. Treatments involve cytoreductive surgery along with the draining of excess fluid in the abdomen area. This is then combined with chemotherapy and radiation if the situation warrants it.

The radiation and chemotherapy is used to quickly kill the dividing cells. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is also an option where the chemicals are delivered directly into the peritonium.

Unfortunately, the cast majority of instances see the patients too far ahead in the spread of mesothelioma for surgery or chemotherapy to have an affect. Inproving the patients quality of life is concentrated on in cases where the peritoneal mesothelioma is in advanced stages.

Shan Durai has a website on Peritoneal Mesothelioma that offers free information on areas such as pleural, peritoneal and pericardial Mesothelioma as well as Asbestos Mesothlioma Lawsuits, highlighting treatment facilities, doctors and treatment methods.

Test and diagnosis of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

There are several tests that doctors can run to determine if a patient has a Peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis. These tests vary in terms of intrusion into the body and accuracy. A time line for testing a person suspected of having Peritoneal mesothelioma is as follows:

When a patient first presents at the doctors office complaining of difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, or pneumonia types symptoms, the primary care physician will take an X-ray or CT scan to determine the presence of asbestos in or around the lungs, heart or stomach.

Once the detection of asbestos is noted, the doctor will look for tell tale signs of cancer including but not limited to the presence of tumors around the vital organs. If tumors or growths are detected, the primary care physician will typically refer the patient to a specialist for various tests to determine whether there is a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis is generally tested for in one of two ways. Depending on the condition of the patient, the doctor may want to do a minimally intrusive procedure called a needle biopsy. The procedure allows the doctor to abstract cells suspected of cancer infection from the lining affected area. The doctor can run tests on the mesothelial cells to determine the proper diagnosis for the patient. There are several ways in which the doctor can perform a tissue biopsy in order to run tests for mesothelioma. A thoracoscopy or laparoscopy entails making a small incision and using a tiny camera to look at the affected area. At this time a small tissue sample can be taken. The tissue samples will be sent away to a pathologists for further tests. Your doctor may decide to do a needle biopsy, where a hollow needle is inserted through the skin and into the chest cavity. However, needle biopsies can be less than precise.

The second more common way that doctors test for Peritoneal mesothelioma is to surgically enter the patients body, at which time they cut a small piece of infected tissue for biopsy purposes. This test is known as an "open biopsy". The abstracted tissue is then sent out for testing by a specialist. This process generally takes several days. If this test reveals the presence of mesothelioma the doctor will determine whether the diagnosed mesothelioma is benign or malignant.

If the doctor determines that the mesothelioma diagnosis is malignant, they will likely refer the patient to an oncologist (cancer doctor) for further tests and treatment.

The oncologist will test the patient to determine the progression of the mesothelioma and the prognosis for the future. At this time the oncologist will decide what treatment option is best for the patient.

Generally, the oncologist will start the patient on a series of chemotherapy treatments to slow the growth of the mesothelioma. If the doctor determines, after running tests, that the patient is not a candidate for chemotherapy, the oncologists may prescribe medication to help the patient with pain management.

Omoluwabi Oluwaseyi is a Peritoneal Mesothelioma resource personnel. More hot bits of valuable information @ http://perimesoth-magic.blogspot.com