Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. The cancer envelops many of the organs in the abdomen by a thin membrane of mesothelial cells, known as the peritoneum. Its only known cause in the U.S. is previous exposure to asbestos, and in most of the cases, the disease appears after many years of the exposure to the asbestos. Peritoneal mesotheliomas account for about one-fifth of all mesotheliomas. It affects the lining that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.
This type asbestos-related cancer is the second most common after Pleural Mesothelioma. Just like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be either benign or malignant. There are a number of symptoms for this disease. These symptoms typically include abdominal pains, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Depending on the location of the tumor, additional problems such as breathing problems and severe pains can be experienced. Fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space, a condition known as ascites. Over time the wasting symptoms can become more and more severe.
X-rays and CT scans are, typically, the first step towards detecting peritoneal mesothelioma. Though the actual diagnosis is achieved by obtaining a piece of tissue from the victim’s body. Presently, there are treatments, but no for sure known cure, for peritoneal mesothelioma. The prognosis depends on various factors, including the size and stage of the tumor, its extent, the cell type, and whether or not the tumor responds to treatment. However, the options for relief and treatment of people with peritoneal mesothelioma have opened up, especially for those whose cancer is diagnosed early and treated vigorously.
Specific types of treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma include:
1-Surgery
2-Radiation Therapy
3-Chemotherapy
Peritoneal Mesothelioma causes many deaths each year. Although it is not the most common form of this cancer, many new cases come to light each year. However, with continued research and clinical trials, it may be possible to one day make this a curable disease and save the life of people who have fallen victim to this dreadful disease.
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survival Rates
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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...
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A Guide To Peritoneal Mesothelioma
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Approximately 10-20 percent of the cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesotheliomas). This type of mesothelioma does not respond well to treatment, but is less common than pleural mesothelioma, which affects the membrane covering the lungs. Since it is...
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma Information
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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...
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment Costs
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen, enveloping many of the organs in the abdomen by a thin membrane of mesothelial cells, known as the peritoneum. It is caused due to exposure to asbestos. This tumor as a...
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Mesothelioma Stomach Symptoms
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Stomach or abdominal symptoms are often experienced by patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is a cancer of the peritoneal cells that line the abdomen. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are insidious and often tend to be confused for symptoms of more common, and...
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Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
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Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the peritoneum, or tissue lining the abdomen and some of its organs. This lining tissue provides a small amount of lubricating fluid that allows organs in the gut to move and work properly. This cancer accounts for approximately...
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma Litigation
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma Litigation is the legal process wherein the victim of this dreadful disease seeks compensation for the physical and emotional damages it causes. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the cancer of the lining of the organs that develops as a result of toxic levels of exposure...
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Mesothelioma Symptoms: An Overview
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Malignant mesotheliomas are rare cancers that form in the tissues lining the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium). Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, is the most common, accounting for about 75 percent of all malignant mesotheliomas. Between ten and twenty...
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma Diagnosis
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The diagnosis for Peritoneal Mesothelioma begins with the thorough review of the patient’s medical history to determine symptoms and any past asbestos exposure, as well as a complete physical. In addition, sometimes physicians might request an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan or an X-ray of...
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Advanced Mesothelioma Symptoms
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Mesothelioma symptoms tend to develop gradually, and earlier symptoms are often confused for illnesses that are more amenable to treatment. For example, the cough, difficulty breathing, and chest pain experienced in pleural mesothelioma is often seen in lung infections such as pneumonia. Typically, once symptoms...