Peritoneal mesothelioma is one of the four types of malignant mesothelial cancer and is caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos, which is commonly found in the workplace. It is caused by the ingestion or inhalation of microscopic asbestos substances, which can cause cancerous cells to form, which is usually followed by tumor growth. The peritoneum is a protective membrane that surrounds the stomach and abdomen and can develop on any of three layers: parietal, visceral, and abdominal. Risk Factors for Peritoneal Mesothelial Cancer include asbestos fibers that were swallowed and traveled from the digestive system to the peritoneum, asbestos fibers inhaled, and swelling or abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea. Symptoms may not appear until the tumors have spread or metastasized, making disease treatment more complex and difficult.
The most recent advancement in medical technology allows doctors to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma earlier than previously, but even the most sophisticated technology and approach may fail to diagnose the disease due to its latency period. To accurately diagnose the disease, doctors must conduct a thorough examination of medical history, physical condition, and occupational history, followed by tests such as biopsies and imaging scans. It is important to share any history of asbestos exposure with doctors, as this information will alert them to the possibility of an asbestos-related disease and assist them in determining the best course of action. Misdiagnosis can lead to delayed proper and required treatment. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms such as abdominal helioma swelling, weight loss, and hernia can be misdiagnosed.
To ensure an accurate diagnosis, doctors use two approaches: scanning of images and autopsies. Radiologic biopsies are minor procedures that take fluid and tissue samples that can be examined under a microscope and used for other tests. Laparoscopic surgical biopsy is more invasive and can result in late-stage diagnosis. The stage of cancer is the most important factor in determining the peritoneal cancer survival rate early on, but other factors such as the tumor's location, the type of tumor cells, the patient's age, and overall health can also have an impact. Three years after the initial diagnosis, approximately 25% of peritoneal melanoma patients survive.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is one of the four types of malignant mesothelioma. The name derives from the location of the cancer's initial growth, which is along the peritoneum, also known as the abdomen lining. Every year, 250 to 500 new cases of peritoneal mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States, making it the second-most common mesothelioma disease.
All mesothelioma symptoms, including peritoneal, are caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos, which is commonly found in the workplace. People who have been diagnosed with the disease can frequently pinpoint a specific time in their lives when they were exposed to asbestos dust, products, or even fibers for an extended period of time. This type of exposure may result in the ingestion or inhalation of microscopic asbestos substances, which can cause cancerous cells to form, which is usually followed by tumor growth.
The peritoneum is a protective membrane that surrounds the stomach and abdomen. It has several layers, and mesothelioma can develop on any of them. The parietal lining surrounds the abdominal cavity, whereas the visceral lining surrounds the stomach, liver, and some other organs. The layers work together to support the abdominal cavity and the organs within it as a whole.
What are the Risk Factors for Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
Even though there is no definitive answer to that question, most doctors who specialize in mesothelioma cancer usually associate the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma with one of the theories listed below:
• Asbestos fibers that were swallowed and traveled from the digestive system to the peritoneum.
• Asbestos fibers inhaled may reach the peritoneum via the lymphatic system, where they commonly produce and store disease-fighting cells.
• Swelling or abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea may be early symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. Unfortunately, some patients do not develop peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms until the tumors have spread or metastasized. This scenario makes disease treatment more complex and difficult, resulting in a lower chance of survival.
Cancer symptoms may not appear for twenty or even fifty years after your initial diagnosis and exposure to asbestos products. When asbestos products or fibers enter the peritoneum and begin to irritate the cells, the peritoneal lining thickens. As the cancer progresses, an accumulation of excess fluid in the abdomen, known as ascites, may develop. Asbestos-caused tumors will form over time, putting pressure on the organs.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Diagnosis
The most recent advancement in medical technology allows doctors to diagnose the disease even earlier than previously, but even the most sophisticated technology and approach may fail to diagnose the disease because mesothelioma can mimic other diseases, such as the common cold. Furthermore, the latency period of mesothelioma is well known to be quite long. With advances in medical technology and research, doctors are finding it increasingly difficult to diagnose the disease, as even experienced cancer specialists can struggle to accurately diagnose the disease. In fact, the process can take months to complete.
The diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is similar to that of other types. It usually begins with a thorough examination of your medical history, overall physical condition, and occupational history, followed by a battery of tests such as biopsies and imaging scans. Even if your doctors do not remember to ask, you must make sure to mention any history of asbestos exposure. It is critical that you share every detail that you remember, including the dates of the exposure and the length and duration of the asbestos exposures. This information will alert your doctors to the possibility of an asbestos-related disease and assist them in determining the best course of action to take.
Because the cancer is quite rare, doctors who are new to dealing with it frequently misdiagnose mesothelioma patients as having more common illnesses with similar symptoms, which can be a serious mistake leading to delayed proper and required treatment. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms such as abdominal helioma swelling, weight loss, and hernia also occur in other cancers and many less serious conditions, increasing the possibility of misdiagnosis.
If you have a history of asbestos exposure, making an appointment with a doctor or specialist is the best way to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Doctors who specialize in mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases or conditions have the necessary knowledge and tools to make an accurate diagnosis and explain all of your treatment options. There are two approaches that doctors commonly use when dealing with peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis.
• Scanning of Images
When a patient has symptoms such as swelling or pain in the abdomen, doctors will order a chest X-ray, CT scan, or other types of imaging scan. These tests will aid in the detection of potential tumors as well as the detection of cancer that has spread. They will also help doctors select the best biopsy.
• Autopsies
Radiologic biopsies are minor procedures that take fluid and tissue samples that can then be examined under a microscope and used for other tests. Because only a biopsy can confirm a peritoneal diagnosis of mesothelioma, this is an important step in the diagnostic process.
Doctors may need to perform a laparoscopic surgical biopsy, which appears to be more invasive. Pathologists will look to see if the lab results show cancerous cells in peritoneal fluid or tissue in both cases. The combination of the delay and the rapid progression of tumors frequently results in late-stage diagnosis for the majority of patients.
Even though the stage of cancer is the most important factor in determining the peritoneal cancer survival rate early on, other cancer-related factors can have an impact. The tumor's location, the type of tumor cells, the patient's age, and overall health will all be factors. Someone who can withstand aggressive treatments like surgery may have a better long-term prognosis. Three years after the initial diagnosis, approximately 25% of peritoneal mesothelioma patients survive.