Peritoneal mesothelioma

The wall peritoneal mesothelioma is rare and a challenge to diagnose and treat. Unfortunately, it often becomes fatal. 

peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the abdominal lining, which serves to protect the abdominal organs and secretes fluid that allows organs to move easily. Cancer of the peritoneum leads to swelling of the abdomen and kills healthy cells in the cavity, while allowing the growth of cancer cells. 

Mesothelioma Causes 

The only known cause of peritoneal mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. asbestos in the lining of the abdomen has proven to be the cause of cancer, but can not understand how the coating is infested. The most accepted theory is that asbestos dust is ingested through food of the person who allows the fibers to easily enter the abdomen. This leads to inflammation and possibly cancer. 

Latency 

After initial exposure to asbestos, the cancer often does not show up for 50 years. Despite the long latency period, this type of cancer is the deadliest. At the onset, rarely have symptoms of cancer. The first symptom is usually pain in the abdomen, which can often be confused with other conditions so delayed the correct diagnosis. Later symptoms include bloating, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, as well as bowel obstruction, fever, and hernias. 

Mesothelioma Diagnosis 

In order to obtain a diagnosis, the doctor will perform physical examinations, review of medical records, and perform the radiologic as CT and MRI. After the location of the tumor is found, a biopsy is performed to determine if the tumor is cancerous. Unlike pleural mesothelioma, there is no current system for staging cancer. In contrast, most physicians go directly to the treatment options. Unfortunately, radiation, chemotherapy and surgical removal has not proven useful when used separately. 

The treatment of the disease 

The treatment options are most useful are a combination of traditional therapies. Radiation can be used to go directly to cancer cells in order to relieve pain and reduce swelling in the abdomen. After radiation is complete, the chemotherapy drugs are inserted into the abdomen to shrink the tumor. Thirdly, surgery can be used to remove the remaining tumor. Chemotherapy may be used again. If the diagnosis is made early, these treatments can be effective, though a cure is rarely possible. Instead, the goal is often the treatment of pain and symptom relief. 

Ongoing research 

Research studies and clinical trials are currently underway to determine a way to increase the likelihood of developing a cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. Currently, the only possible cure is to find cancer in its early stages. People who have been exposed to asbestos should receive regular checkups to reduce the patient's risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions and diseases.