Peritoneal Mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare cancer where malignant cancerous cells are found in the Mesothelium, the protective sac that covers the internal organs of the body. When diagnosing Peritoneal Mesothelioma a complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays, MRI and CT-scan of the chest or abdomen.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma often have a misdiagnosis as other abdominal disorder symptoms such as stomach issues, abdominal discomfort, and hernia. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the 2nd most common type of Mesothelioma and accounts for 10 to 20 percent of all Mesothelioma cases.
A doctor may perform a Peritoneoscopy by making a small opening in the abdomen and inserting a unique instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity to obtain tissue for examination.
A Peritoneal Mesothelioma patient that is diagnosed in the early stages of this disease may be eligible for surgical resection of the disease which can potentially add years to the initial prognosis.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Facts:
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer is linked to asbestos exposure.
- Most cases of Peritoneal Mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
- There are about 500 cases of Peritoneal Mesothelioma diagnosed each year in the U. S.
- The average survival length after treatment is 16 months, with a 30% survival rate after one year.
- Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
- The occurrence of malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma (MPM) is approximately 2 to 2.6 cases per million annually in the U. S.
- Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma symptoms may not appear until 20 to 40 years after the first exposure to asbestos.
- Studies have found that men live an average of 7 months after being diagnosed with peritoneal Mesothelioma.
- Studies have found that women live an average of 9 months after being diagnosed with peritoneal Mesothelioma.
- Many people who developed Peritoneal Mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled or ingested toxic asbestos fibers.
- The first step in getting a Peritoneal Mesothelioma diagnosis is a complete physical exam and review of patient work history.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma symptoms in patients typically show up six months to 2 years before a patient is a diagnosis.
- A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
- Surgery is a comprehensive treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma. A surgeon may remove part of the tissue of the abdomen.
- To relieve symptoms, Peritoneal Mesothelioma to help control the pain, a doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid (effusions) that has built up in the abdomen.
- Removal of fluid build up from the abdomen is called Paracentesis.
- Radiation and Chemotherapy therapy may help relieve peritoneal Mesothelioma symptoms.
- Suspicious hernias may be a peritoneal effusion caused by Peritoneal Mesothelioma tumor growth.
- Patients diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma generally have a better prognosis if diagnosed early, and the symptoms are less severe.
- Some Peritoneal Mesothelioma patients may opt for Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, where drugs are injected directly into the peritoneum immediately following surgery.
- A recent clinical trial found Pemetrexed (Alimta) to be an active chemotherapy agent in the treatment of peritoneal Mesothelioma.
- There are currently no established staging system for Peritoneal Mesothelioma. If the disease is staged, it follows the TNM policy, the most common general cancer staging system.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment Options:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms Include:
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling
- Anemia
- Bowel obstruction
- Bowel distention
- The build-up of fluid in the Abdomen
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Lumps under the skin on the abdomen
- Nausea
- Night Sweats
- Tumors in the Peritoneum membranes
- Unexplained Weight Loss
- Vomiting
Chrysotile Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Chrysotile Peritoneal Mesothelioma attacks the lining of the abdominal cavity and is the 2nd most common malignant Mesothelioma cancer, accounting for 15-30% of all Mesothelioma diagnosed cases.
Chrysotile asbestos fibers have a spiral pattern which allows fibers to lodge onto organs of the body, causing long-term inflammation that eventually turns cancerous.
Chrysotile Peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer has been linked to exposure to asbestos fibers.
Chrysotile Asbestos, or White Asbestos, is a fiber that comes from the serpentine group of naturally occurring minerals that shape into long thin strands.
The exposure to asbestos is the leading cause of malignant Mesothelioma, and all three modern forms of asbestos (amosite, crocidolite, and chrysotile) are capable of causing Mesothelioma.
Chrysotile asbestos is dangerous because its tiny fibers measuring as small .3 microns will often break off and float in the air to be inhaled or ingested.