Symptoms Of Peritoneal Mesothelioma - Diagnosis

Symptoms Of Peritoneal Mesothelioma - Diagnosis

Peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma Mesothelioma of the peritoneal layer is very rare and its diagnosis and treatment are challenging. Unfortunately it is sometimes fatal. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 50 years have passed since exposure to asbestos, but its symptoms are very real.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that is located in the abdominal layer serves to protect the abdominal organs and glands secreting fluids allowing organs to move fluidly. Peritoneal cancer causes the abdomen to become inflamed and healthy cells are removed from the cavity while allowing the growth of cancer cells.

Causes of peritoneal mesothelioma
The most common cause of peritoneal mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos has been proven that asbestos remains lodged in the lining of the abdomen causes this type of cancer, although it is understood as the layer becomes infected. The most accepted theory is that asbestos dust is ingested, so that this will allow the fibers to easily enter the abdomen. This leads to inflammation and sometimes cancer. Another theory of how asbestos reaches the peritoneal membrane is that asbestos fibers are inhaled and travel to the membrane via the lymphatic system

Regardless of how this toxic fiber enters the peritoneal membrane, the fact of the matter is that once it enters the body is very difficult to get rid of it. Due to the nature of the fibers, these are housed in the membrane and the market of between 20 and 50 change the dynamics of the healthy cells, causing change and grow rapidly and uncontrollably

latency periodThis rapid growth of cells causes the peritoneum to thicken and create a fluid in the peritoneal layer that causes discomfort in patients. Finally, this cell growth makes them start to form tumors.

Latency period
After an initial exposure to asbestos, the cancer usually does not manifest even last 50 years. Despite this long latency period, this form of cancer is the most rapid and fatal. Early in the disease just cancer symptoms become visible. The first symptom is usually abdominal pain, which usually can be associated with other problem so that the correct diagnosis is delayed. Later symptoms include bloating, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, intestinal obstruction, fever and hernias,

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma
This type, which is the second most common form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity is called the peritoneum. Symptoms of this disease include:

Nausea or vomiting
Unexplained weight loss
Sweating or fever
Bloating or abdominal pain
Formation of fluid between the peritoneum and abdominal organs
Anemia
Fatigue
Diarrhea, colitis, or unexplained changes in bowel
Lumps under the skin of the abdomen
These symptoms are usually the result of a thickening of the layer surrounding the abdomen. The thickening is a result of rapid growth of cancer cells. Generally, this rapid growth leads to fluid buildup between the membrane of this area, putting pressure on the abdomen leading to the symptoms of this cancer

Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma
To obtain a diagnosis, the doctor will perform various tests, review medical history and practiced diagnostic imaging tests such as a scanner or PET. After the usual location of the tumor is a biopsy to determine if the tumor is cancerous. Unlike pleural mesothelioma does not have a system to determine the stage of cancer. Instead, go directly to doctors determine which treatment option is most suitable. Unfortunately, radiation, chemotherapy and surgical removal treatments that are not proven to work separately.

Mesothelioma diagnosis

Treating the disease
The most effective treatment options are those that combine traditional therapies. Radiation can be used to attack cancer cells and relieve pain and reduce swelling of the abdomen. After the completion of radiation, chemotherapy is used to shrink the tumor. Thirdly you can use surgical alternative to resect the tumor. Chemotherapy is used again after surgery. If the diagnosis is made early, these treatments can be effective, but a cure is rarely possible. Instead, the goal is usually manage pain and relieve symptoms

Research
There are research and clinical trials are under way to determine how one can increase the chance of finding a cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. Currently the only chance of cure is to find the tumor in its primary stages. People who have been exposed to asbestos should be medically monitored frequently to reduce the risk of developing mesothelioma or any asbestos-related diseases.

References: American Cancer Society U.S. National Library of Medicine