Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms

The digestive system is commonly affected by the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. This is due to asbestos fibers being consumed and then absorbed in the lining of the stomach known as the peritoneum.

In time, these fibers cause mutations to healthy peritoneal cells. Cancerous tumors grow in the peritoneum as a result.

Mesothelioma is a challenging condition to recognize. The early signs may be confused with other signs like hernias or irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Symptoms

When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they can enter the lungs and circulate throughout the body. They can then become trapped in the lining of the abdomen or other organs, creating inflammation and irritation that eventually leads to the growth of tumors. This process can take a long time to develop, and many victims are unaware of their asbestos exposure until too late.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a condition that occurs asbestos fibers get trapped in the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity and other organs. It is the second most frequent mesothelioma. However, it can be difficult for doctors to identify because the early symptoms are not specific. They can also be similar to gastrointestinal disorders. Patients suffering from peritoneal cancer typically have stomach pain, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues.

Mesothelioma victims are typically diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma following undergoing a physical examination, a medical history review and a series of tests in the laboratory. A CT scan and an X-ray may help doctors identify lumps or any other signs of disease. In some cases, mesothelioma doctors will also request a biopsy for an accurate diagnosis.

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms usually begin in the abdomen and can result in severe abdominal discomfort and weight loss, bloating swelling of the belly nausea, vomiting, and other digestive issues. The symptoms can also include chest pain, swelling and fatigue. It is crucial for patients to seek medical advice in the event of these symptoms as they may be caused by something other than mesothelioma.

Despite the difficulties in diagnosing peritoneal msothelioma patients, they can typically receive the appropriate treatment to prolong their lives. In the majority of cases, this requires surgical treatment and heated chemotherapy.

Contact our mesothelioma lawyers to learn how we can assist you if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. We can assist you in finding an expert in mesothelioma near you who can assist you in filing an asbestos lawsuit against the companies that are responsible for your exposure. We can also help ensure that you receive the financial settlement you are entitled to. Complete our online form to begin the process. We partner with the top mesothelioma attorneys and can assist you in obtaining the best possible outcome.

Diagnosis

The first step to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma is to get an accurate medical history. Doctors will ask patients about their asbestos case exposure and the date it happened. A physical exam will be conducted. Initial work-ups often include blood tests and Xrays and CT scans.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify due to its lengthy time of latency. Patients may experience symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, and fever that are similar to those of other conditions. These non-specific symptoms can confuse doctors. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer and it can take a long time before symptoms show up after asbestos settlement exposure.

Asbestos fibers inhaled or consumed are transported to the stomach lining called the peritoneum. Asbestos fibers that are sharp irritate mesothelium when they reach the peritoneum. In time the irritation causes inflammation and scar tissue growth. In the end, this causes abnormal cell growth, and tumors can develop.

There are no FDA-approved screening tests for mesothelioma of the peritoneum, but researchers are working on developing ways to identify the disease's early stages. The importance of identifying mesothelioma early is that it determines treatment options.

A mesothelioma expert can perform paracentesis (percutaneous needle biopsy) to take samples for laboratory testing. These tests can help identify the kind of cancer cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic) within the tumor and help doctors come up with a treatment plan.

Mesothelioma specialists can also assess the stage of mesothelioma a patient is. The stage determines the most effective treatment and assists mesothelioma lawyers to determine which asbestos-related companies are responsible in mesothelioma cases.

If a mesothelioma specialist analyzes the results of the biopsy the doctor creates a pathology document which contains details about the type of mesothelioma. The report could also include a staging system that describes how the cancer has spread within the body. The more advanced the stage of cancer is, the less likely the patient will be able to respond to treatment. Lawyers can explain the implications of this to the particular case of a client.

Treatment

Inhalation or swallowing, asbestos fibers become embedded in the tissue that lines the abdomen and other organs. They damage DNA and irritate cells. This can lead to the development of tumors. Typically, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the lining of the abdomen known as the peritoneum. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is more prevalent in women than pleural Mesothelioma, but is less common.

The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are similar to those of gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel disorder and Crohn's disease. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the condition. Because of this, early symptoms can be mistaken as normal ailments, and can last for months or even years before a patient receives a mesothelioma diagnosis.

A doctor will also conduct tests of blood and imaging to rule out any other diseases or conditions that could cause the same symptoms as mesothelioma. These tests can also be used to determine the best treatment options.

Since peritoneal mesothelioma can develop in the abdominal lining, a doctor will perform biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of removing small samples of the affected area for examination by pathologists. Biopsies can reveal cancerous cells as well as identify the type of mesothelioma.

When a peritoneal Msothelioma diagnosis is confirmed doctors will discuss treatment options with patients. Generally, the goal of a treatment plan is to minimize the size and number of tumors. Surgery is usually the first line of defense however, patients must also consider the possibility of immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

In contrast to the chest-based treatment for pleural mesothelioma that is administered via the lungs peritoneal Mesothelioma treatment is injected intravenously or orally. Injections of chemotherapy like heated intraperitoneal therapy (HIPEC), helped extend the survival of many patients. HIPEC is a procedure innovated by mesothelioma pioneer Paul Sugarbaker.

Patients who have been diagnosed with peritoneal cancer may be eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit (Articlescad.Com) against negligent companies. A mesothelioma attorney can review the case of a patient and suggest legal options. Contact us today to start. It's completely no cost, it's confidential and there is no obligation. We offer nationwide representation.

Prognosis

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer. The doctors have limited experience with it, so many patients are misdiagnosed as having other illnesses. Fortunately, a mesothelioma specialist can aid in the diagnosis process and get patients the proper treatment.

Asbestos exposure is the sole known cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation of abdominal tissues and cell changes when inhaled or consumed. This can cause tumors to form mesothelioma in the peritoneum over time.

The exposure to asbestos usually begins with jobs in manufacturing or construction. These industries may use products that contain asbestos, like insulation and fireproofing. Asbestos can also be present in household products like roofing tiles and flooring. Even low levels of asbestos exposure could put a person in danger of developing mesothelioma. Because mesothelioma has a long latency period, victims can sometimes be diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma years after their initial exposure.

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to those of other conditions and be mistaken for hernias, digestive issues such as colitis or Crohn's disease, or other forms of abdominal cancer. This is why many patients do not report their exposure to asbestos and they don't seek medical attention. If mesothelioma is found experts may suggest a biopsy for a more precise diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal the smallest piece of tissue to be examined. This procedure will reveal the stage of mesothelioma as well as if it is epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic.

If the mesothelioma is at an early stage, doctors can remove all of the tumors and provide the best treatment. The specialist can also determine whether the cancer has spread to the abdomen. They can then prescribe palliative care for the patient. For instance paracentesis, which is a procedure to drain fluid from the abdomen.

When a mesothelioma is advanced the chances of survival are less. The tumors may become resistant to certain treatment and then recur. The specialist may recommend a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Surgical options include cytoreduction surgery along with hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy. This combination is more likely to improve the prognosis of a patient than merely chemotherapy alone.