Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer Guide

Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form of mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The peritoneal type develops in the peritoneum, the lining of tissue in the abdominal cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma causes abdominal swelling, pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to considerable compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in your area.

About Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form of asbestos cancer that attacks the cell walls in the peritoneum, the thin membranes that lubricate and protect the abdominal cavity.

This form of cancer is typically classified as either “wet” or “dry.” The wet type produces an abundance of nodules in the abdominal area and causes ascites, fluid buildup in the abdomen. The dry type produces masses of cancerous cells, but no ascites.

Only 500 people each year are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which is around 20% of all cases of mesothelioma.

When compared to other types of mesothelioma, it’s the second most common, running slightly behind the most well-known and most common form, pleural mesothelioma.

How Asbestos Reaches the Peritoneum

The peritoneum has two layers which include the parietal layer and the visceral layer. The visceral layer protects abdominal organs.

The parietal layer protects and covers the abdominal cavity in the same manner. With so many layers, it isn’t easy to understand exactly how asbestos reaches the peritoneum in the first place. Scientists have theorized that this can happen in two different ways:

• Since asbestos fibers are so small, they can easily be swallowed. The fibers work their way through the digestive system and slip through the layers.
• Victims that inhale the asbestos fibers may get them caught in the lymphatic system.

Eventually, the asbestos fibers make their way down to the peritoneal area. Once the fibers reach the peritoneum, it’s extremely difficult to get rid of them.

The human body cannot eliminate the small fibers from the system, and previous methods have been rendered unsuccessful. They cause inflammation and damage that can lead to tumor growth and malignancy.

Causes

Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. In rare cases, short-term exposure may result in the disease.

However, while inhaling asbestos is the primary reason most mesothelioma cases, victims with peritoneal mesothelioma can contract the disease by also swallowing or ingesting asbestos fibers.

Asbestos was typically ingested while on job sites that used the mineral when it was popular for its ease of use and affordability. The majority of cases stem from victims who’ve worked in steel plants, power plants, paper mills, automotive shops, and naval shipyards.

In some situations, asbestos exposure can occur second-hand, and children and spouses can also become victims. Simple acts of washing clothes and being in direct contact with others who work around asbestos can potentially put others at risk.

Secondary asbestos exposure is not as common as diseases from direct exposure. However, it’s always a good idea to have regular medical checkups if a loved one worked around asbestos.

Symptoms

Not everyone will experience the same symptoms. In addition, most symptoms will not surface until decades after asbestos exposure. Possible symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are:

• Unusual and rapid weight loss
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Diarrhea and/or constipation
• Small lumps under the abdomen skin
• Night sweats
• Anemia
• Fever
• Inflamed, thickened peritoneum
• Breathing difficulties
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Energy loss and weakness

Treatment

Specialists treat peritoneal mesothelioma with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Some patients may not be good candidates for surgery, especially if the cancer is in later stages and has metastasized.

Unfortunately, catching the disease in its early stage is rare at this time as it typically takes decades, sometimes up to 50 years, as previously mentioned, before the first symptoms start to show up.

Surgery may still be performed during the disease’s advanced stages, but physicians almost always remove only parts of the tumor instead of removing it in its entirety. Once the disease has progressed, it is entirely too dangerous and poses too many risks to remove entirely.

Some of the surgical procedures used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma include:

• Peritonectomy: This form of surgery entails removing the lining of the abdomen in an attempt to eliminate as many cancerous cells as possible. Peritonectomy surgery is usually performed in conjunction with cytoreductive surgery.

• Cytoreductive Surgery: Cytoreductive surgery is an invasive and long procedure, usually lasting up to 12 hours. Cytoreductive and peritonectomy surgery is combined so that cancerous cells can be removed while providing the patient with as much relief as possible.

• Paracentesis: Paracentesis is a form of surgery that involves removing fluid from the peritoneal area (the area around the abdomen). The fluid is withdrawn using a long, hollow needle that’s inserted through the stomach. Once the fluid is collected, victims experience relief of pain and bloating. The bowels usually begin to work better, and patients find that breathing is not as difficult as before.

Types of chemotherapy used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma include:

• Systemic Chemotherapy: Systemic chemotherapy involves chemotherapy entering the bloodstream intravenously. It’s most often used on patients who are experiencing widespread cancers across the body. Almost all chemotherapy treatments utilize systemic chemotherapy for peritoneal patients.

• Heated Chemotherapy: With heated chemotherapy, drugs are dispensed into the patient’s abdominal area. The drug is typically heated just above the patient’s body temperature before it is administered. This form of chemotherapy is almost always used after surgery, and the heat is used to kill off any cancerous cells that were left behind. Candidates for heated chemotherapy must be in good overall physical shape.

• Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is used as a prior treatment before another form of treatment is given to the patient. For example, a patient who is to undergo surgery may be given neoadjuvant chemotherapy beforehand in order to reduce the size of the cancerous tumors. Most patients start neoadjuvant chemotherapy around three months prior to surgery.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma begins with a complete physical exam. A doctor will then do tests to rule out more common illnesses.

The next step is to make imaging scans of the abdomen to look for abnormal tissues or masses. If doctors find abnormal growths, they will biopsy them.

A pathologist looks at the biopsy sample under a microscope. They identify the cells and determine if they are malignant. Peritoneal mesothelioma is rare, which means that misdiagnosis is common. Patients should push for a second opinion or more tests if they are not satisfied with an initial diagnosis.

Prognosis

Recently, doctors have begun to catch peritoneal cancer in its early stages more often than ever before. However, the average life expectancy is still around a year. Remember, though, that every situation is unique, and patients may go on to live years longer.

In addition, new methods of treatment are being introduced as science continues to make breakthroughs, which can potentially further expand patient lifespans in the future.

Take a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma seriously. Assemble a team of specialists and begin treatment as soon as possible. Also, talk to an asbestos attorney to determine what legal actions you can take.

Getting Help

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, there is a good chance that you’ll be entitled to significant financial compensation for medical expenses, pain, suffering, and much more. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in your area.