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.
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