Mesothelioma is a very aggressive form of cancer which is affecting some people who have worked around asbestos at some point in their past. This type of cancer is rare; however, the numbers of people who are being diagnosed are increasing. Mesothelioma affects 2,000 - 3,000 people in the United States annually.

This cancer originates and grows in the mesothelium which is a membrane consisting of two layers that surrounds certain organs in the body. The four areas covered by the mesothelium are the pleura or the lung area, the pericardium or the heart area, the peritoneal or abdominal cavity and the testicular mesothelium. The most common form is pleural mesothelioma also known as lung cancer. The rarest form of mesothelioma is testicular affecting less than one percent of patients. One of the rarer types of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma. Fewer than five percent of all mesothelioma occurrences are in this area.

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose as the symptoms can often be attributed to other, less serious illnesses. The symptoms may not surface until the disease is in the advanced stages as well. Learning how to treat peritoneal mesothelioma may help patients have a better quality of life and be more comfortable while living with this cancer.

Patients with mesothelioma have been in contact with asbestos at some point in their past. They may not have had direct contact; however, may have lived with a family member who brought asbestos dust home on their clothes or in their hair. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may not occur for up to fifty years after exposure to asbestos dust. The exposure causes asbestos fibers to travel to the peritoneal area which then causes irritation and swelling as the cancer cells divide and grow. As the cells divide, tumors may begin to form in the peritoneal area. The mesothelium begins to thicken as well and fluid begins to form in the layers. The symptoms that patients begin to experience are usually caused by the swelling, fluid buildup and the development of tumors in the area. http://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/peritoneal.php

Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma may experience swelling in the pain in the abdominal area. They may also have bowel problems including diarrhea or constipation. Symptoms may also include lumps that develop under the abdominal skin, weight loss that is not attributed to other factors, fatigue, vomiting, night sweats, general fatigue and anemia. Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cells.

If you have been exposed to asbestos on a long-term basis in the past and you begin to experience any of the symptoms described in step one, you may want to see a medical professional who can determine the presence of mesothelioma. A medical professional will generally perform a physical examination as well as take a complete medical history. http://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/peritoneal.php At this time, you should disclose any asbestos exposure in your past even if it is just suspected.

Your medical professional, based on their findings, may prescribe additional tests and/or procedures to confirm the presence of peritoneal mesothelioma. Some tests may include imaging tests such as an X-Ray or CT scan. You may also have the option to receive an MRI which is a magnetic resonance imaging test.

Doctors may also suggest that patients who have symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma undergo a biopsy. One form of biopsy is a fine needle aspiration. This involves a needle to be inserted into the peritoneal area and tissue or fluid to be removed from the area and sent to a lab to confirm that mesothelioma is present. There are additional types of biopsies that patients may undergo. Discuss the available biopsy options with your medical professional.

One of the very unfortunate aspects of peritoneal mesothelioma is the fact that the disease may not be diagnosed until the cancer is in advanced stages. That makes treatment options very difficult for patients. The reason that the diagnosis is difficult is because of the time lapse between exposure to asbestos and the occurrence of symptoms. As mentioned in step one, this span can be up to fifty years.

Common types of treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma include surgery to remove the areas affected by cancer. Other treatments can include chemotherapy or radiation treatments. These types of treatment can target the rapidly growing cancer cells and kill them. Patients may elect to receive a combination of surgery and chemotherapy or radiation to increase their chances.

One type of therapy that may be effective for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma is intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This treatment involves medication being injected directly into the peritoneum following surgery. Patients may also elect to have radiation treatment before their surgery which may help to shrink tumors. This may not be an option for all patients. Clinical trials may be alternatives for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. Talk to your medical professional about the availability of clinical trials in your area that may be open to you.http://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/peritoneal.php